Why Study Philosophy ?

Plato, greek philosopher

Plato made the famous comment that " all of philosophy begins with wonder ." The courses in the philosophy department are meant to help the student to cultivate the student's powers of inquiry and rationality. A philosophical education must focus on a core of perennial themes and approaches in such a way as also to give our students a chance to pursue and critically reflect on avenues of thinking that are of paramount importance to them. In the design of courses attention has been taken to emphasize both the historical and analytical dimensions of philosophy, as well as its theoretical and practical dimensions. In this regard, students are encouraged to apply theSocratic dictum "Know thyself!" as it applies to boththe theoretical and practical approach to human concerns and reality.

An education in philosophy seeks to provide the student an appreciation of the wide array of conceptual systems and attitudes that human beings have employed to respond to questions concerning knowledge, reality, justice, truth, morality, and the meaning of life. In its analytical and critical dimensions, philosophy trains one to detect and avoid errorsin thinking- both by understanding those arguments encountered in everyday life and by by cultivating self-reflection on the student's own thought processes. Such training involves special emphasis on the logical use of language, the analysis of concepts, the understanding and detection of fallacies and theability to critique and construct extended arguments.

Philosophy's stress on both the imaginative and critical pursuit of rationality helps prepare one for careers in a wide variety of fields requiring close reasoning and careful communication skills. Such fields include the law, medicine, social and political advocacy, counseling, teaching,print and electronic media, and research and writing in both academic and nonacademic fields.

Philosophy as a Pre-Law Major

The study of philosophy is widely recognized as a valuable tool for those interested in attending law school. Nationalresults show that philosophy majors score higher on theLaw School Admission Test (LSAT) than do majors from any other area of the Liberal Arts.

Philosophy as a Pre-Med Major

The study of philosophy is widely recognized as important for those interested in attending Medical school.National results show that philosophy majors score higher on the (MCAT) than do majors from any other area of the Liberal Arts. The field of medical ethics is a rapidly growing area.

Careers in College Teaching

Many of those who study philosophy do so in order to pursue a graduate degree and teach at the college level.

For more information explore the internet links in philosophy and reseaerch the philosophy programs at colleges you might be interested in attending.