is philosophy worth studying?
81390
only if you're willing to take it seriously. A lot of people go into philosophy and only get a brief overview before casting a whole lot of judgement on it. They are appalled that philosophic thinking embraces questioning axioms. If you don't want to change the way you frame information, then don't study philosophy. If you want to learn how to analyze and understand things and frame and re-frame, study philosophy
56865
It's definitely worth the effort, but it's not totally necessary. Obtaining a Bachelor's or Master's will instantly make you a better candidate for higher-paying jobs, but it's not the only way into a good career and lifestyle. If you are not motivated enough, disciplined enough and academically inclined enough, then college will be hell for you. For those millionares who either dropped out or never attended college, they had great ideas, motivation, access to money and resources, and great contacts. If you have these things, college is not really a necessity, but will just help you look better.\nNote: I'm a sophomore journalism major
990740
Just one of those course YOU have to TAKE in order to become a nurse!\n\n\n\nPhilosophy is a field of study that includes diverse subfields such as aesthetics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and metaphysics, in which people ask questions such as whether God exists, what is the nature of reality, whether knowledge is possible, and what makes actions right or wrong. The fundamental method of philosophy is the use of reasoning to evaluate arguments concerning these questions. However, the exact scope and methodology of philosophy is not rigid. What counts as philosophy is itself debated, and it varies across philosophical traditions.
492431
I think you want philosophy.\nThat's in the arts and humanities section.\n(psst- keep it a secret, that's where all the intelligent people go!)\n\nGod Bless.
803679
Being "something" in life doesn't require a lot of study. Humans are interactive--so if you want to be something, take care to learn how to reason logically, and act responsibly. This means that if you take an interest in learning how to relate to people with logic and sincerity, you may have good friends and enjoy your family (remember that a career is not the "end all" solution to being a grown up.) I have seen many "brilliant" people who have studied two and three post graduate degrees, but couldn't tell you how interesting their life has been (or don't even want to, because they think so highly of their "achievements.") Personal development must be balanced with a formal education. And then your will find success. I found some interesting articles on civil service posts. This may be the key to your question. Good luck!
841599
I want to learn and discuss why I want a degree in philosophy.\n\nThat would be my topic 'why i want a philosophy degree'
379421
Yes I have, several times in fact.\n\nIt's an excellent novel, both in the terms of a fiction book, and as a general introduction to the many types of Philosophy. I read it first whilst I was at college (about 16 years old), and it help my attention.\n\nI do recommend it if you are wanting a good read, or wanting to find out more about Philosophy but aren't wanting to be swamped by text books.
855731
Both are manifestations of logic.  Philosophy is freeform.  Math is rigorous.
387539
yes, if u have the money. discipline is the most important in studying you know. have study habit. good luck!
284370
Personally speaking for myself, I would say no, it does not.  I like philosophy cuz it helps me be critical of religious teachings, and not to take belief / philosphical systems blindly.  It helps me be realistic, more self-aware of what I am believing, and whether what I believe helps me be a better person overall or if I am just believing cuz I want the "security". \n\nI do think it may close the doors on religion for some people....as philosophy requires a lot of critical thinking, analyzing....that does include analyzing religious texts in depth, and I know that does bother some religious people.
1053290
I've been educated in schools and by living and reading and thinking and listening and watching - it's all been valuable because I know how to think critically (analyze new information, weigh it, and make an intelligent decision about it) and I can use reason to solve just about any problem. I can also anticipate problems and come up with solutions. I understand complex situations and information quicker and better. Oh, and winning trivia and logic games is nice, too.
185563
It is important to be aware of your own educational philosophy since it helps you focus on why you make the decisions which you make when you plan for your lessons and implement these lessons.  Through the writing of  your own philosophy, you will see more clearly your own goals and values.  Your Educational Philosophy is a description of your goals and beliefs as a teacher.  There really is no such thing as "the" philosophy; our philosophies are a reflection of our own beliefs, experiences and training.
563939
It depends on how you are defining useless. I majored in philosophy. Now from a perspective of getting paid to be a philosopher (besides teaching it) you could call it useless. However, if you look at the skills acquired from the major it has been invaluable. The ability to formulate logical arguments, attack another's position, critically analyze ideas, etc. comes up daily both professionally and in my personal life. A history major develops the ability to efficiently do research (doesn't have to be limited to history could be used for anything). A English major learns how to communicate effectively through written word. All majors have underlying skills that will be useful in life. Most people miss out on this and solely focus on getting an 'A' on their paper rather than learning the skills that will result in the 'A'. \n\nSo in a way it doesn't matter what major you choose unless you want to be something specific like a doctor or engineer. But just because there are no direct jobs related to the major does not mean that the major is usless.
76534
Believe it or not...studying.
317132
Absolutely not. You should never stop learning.\n\nActually, what I find crazy is going to college for graduate studies right after finishing undergraduate studies. The experience gained in 10 years of working are a great benefit for graduate studies. I think it should be a requirement for graduate studies.
634016
And I know not if you are serious, but assuming you are, and assuming you are an offspring somehow of Ludwig, then you probably know that for him, philosophy was best understood as therapy. He saw it as a crutch to lean on temporarily until clarity of wisdom and knowledge brought healing of the mind and soul that are injured by confused thinking, partly brought on by philosophy, itself.\n\nHe believed that philosphy was best used to get beyond philosophy, a sort of ladder to get to a higher plane of understanding at which point you throw the ladder away.\n\nI think that this is a narrow view of philosophy, suited to Wittgenstein's mystical temper, but in the long run not very useful for us today. Nevertheless, his view contains a profound insight that limits the pretense and arrogance of any philosphy that thinks it can figure it all out and hand over to the masses God, the Universe, and four-leaf clovers neatly bound in a box.\n\nIt might be best to ask not "What is philosophy," as if there is one thing that has always existed without change. We can't even say that about mountains (they rise and decline) why should we think there is such a thing as PHILOSOPHY that is an unchanging subject for all time?\n\nInstead you might ask, "What has philosophy been or done over the last 4000 years?" Then at least you'd be ready for lots of different answers. Most people who care about such things have a favorite thinkers who exemplifies the intellectual struggles and currents of the time and place in which they lived. Some people think of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle as the definers of philosophy (although each of those three looked at the subject differently from each other).\n\nFor those people philosophy is a speculative task which seeks to understand the nature of reality starting with certain beliefs that are drawn from mathematics and developed by the use of syllogistic logic and applied to whatever it was that they were talking about at the moment. Syllogistic logic has a form something like this: If this, then that. If A is true and B is true, then C must be true. For example, \n\n"If it is true that quadrapeds have four legs, and if it true that horses have four legs, then it MUST by true that horses are quadrapeds."\n\nDid I write that the fundamental ideas that these famous Greeks worked with came from mathematics? Well, so I did. That makes it seem like philosophy is very cut and dried, very abstract and since based on the ideas of mathematics, philosophical statements must be capable of proof. No more fruitless arguments! The reign of reason triumphs over the darkened minds of the religious, the superstitious, and those who argue from their emotions.\n\nWere it only so! In fact, beneath our great Greek philosophers (their greatness is indisputable--we still read them and draw from them to understand things today) were ideas, beliefs, and commitments that were not subject to the same tests that they would subject the arguments that their colleagues and others made. That is, their powerful tools of reasoning were built out of materials that themselves were not products of that powerful reasoning. For example, all three Greeks believed in the rationality and unity of the universe, a belief that they could not test except by saying (a little bit like Immanuel Kant would do 2000 years later) that the condition of rationality and thought itself was dependent on the universe being fundamentally rational and "unified." There could be no logic, for example, if things weren't "true" everywhere and for all time. For example, if the "laws of nature" varied by country or by period of history we couldn't make statements that say "a falling object will continue to fall in a straight line until it meets an object." If in France, for instance, falling objects suddenly reversed trajectory and went off at a ninety degree angle from the original line of
612634
I have to dispute both previous posters' comments.  Philosophy is not often regarded as a practical degree, but there is something to be said about its practical applications.\n\nFor instance, the study of philosophy requires an intense amount of long-term, intrinsic, and/or analytical thinking.  I believe a development of these skills is something not often found with many other graduates of programs which are considerered practical.\n\nI believe most intelligent HR managers will see the potential of a candidate possessing such a degree as much as they would one with a marketing or business-related degree as a valued asset to a company.\n\nIt comes down to this:  Sell yourself to the people you're going to work for.  The older that I get; the more that I realize that most of the stereotypes associated with the work-force are absolute b.s.  What's important is to keep growing and expanding your knowledge base so that the knowledge can be applied to your profession and you can be continued to be considered an asset.  \n\nA degree is often nothing more than a standard to gauge a potential candidate's likeliness of being a worth-while investment for the company to make.  Therefore, the specialization of the degree is not as important as one may think.\n\nIf you're still not convinced, perhaps you may want to consider obtaining a double major.