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No matter what your academic focus is, you’ll benefit from the study of philosophical topics. The study of philosophy prepares all students to succeed; not just in academics, but in their personal and professional lives as well. Many skills prominent in philosophy are transferable, like: 

• Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills: Philosophy classes help you develop critical thinking and reasoning skills. Philosophy students sharpen their ability to identify assumptions, question biases, draw connections, make distinctions, and arrive at nuanced, informed choices. These skills are valuable in other academic disciplines, and translate well into everyday life situations.
• Intellectual Curiosity and Open-mindedness: Philosophy challenges students to explore others’ perspectives and understand ideas different from their own. Students learn to appreciate a wide array of philosophical vantage points, and to consider alternative perspectives in a spirit of curiosity, openness and respectful criticism.
• Communication and Writing Skills: Students in philosophy courses write and discuss ideas constantly. In your courses, you’ll be called upon to frame questions and explain their importance; to construct concise written arguments for your views; to articulate your confusion and the reasons for it. You’ll learn to express both your thoughts and your questions eloquently, to construct strong, subtle arguments, and to engage in respectful discussion–and inspire those around you to do the same.
• Self-Discovery and Self-Expression: Studying philosophy encourages students to reflect on their own beliefs, values, and assumptions. It challenges students to express their own perspectives and engage in reflective introspection. This self-exploration fosters personal growth, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of one's own values and convictions.
• Critical reading: There are no two ways about it; philosophy texts are often hard to understand: convoluted, arcane, with long sentences and difficult language to explain really challenging concepts. Learning how to read such texts is a kind of “intellectual self-defense” tool that you can carry into other arenas in which difficult texts may be trying to keep you ignorant, and thus powerless.
• Question asking: someone once said that a philosopher is like a “fully articulate two year old; always asking ‘why?’” This is a great way to describe one of the most powerful skills you’ll learn in philosophy; the capacity to ask “why” questions when, maybe, everyone else in the room thinks everything is perfectly clear and obvious. Truth be told; asking “why?” won’t always make you the most popular kid on the block–but it’ll sure leave you intellectually well prepared for what’s to come. 

Aspiring law students in particular may find philosophy especially engaging. One of the primary outcomes of philosophy education is to teach students to navigate complex intellectual ideas and engage in meaningful, productive discussions — both vital to the successful practice of law. In fact, philosophy offers several unique benefits to future law students:

• Legal Reasoning and Argumentation: Philosophy involves using clear and logical argumentation that enhances the ability to present compelling cases and persuade others in legal contexts.
• Ethical and Moral Considerations: Philosophy asks students to consider ethical theories and moral dilemmas, deepening their understanding of ethical principles and their applications, building a strong ethical foundation, and helping them better navigate complex ethical issues they may encounter in a legal setting. Philosophy equips them with the tools necessary to critically evaluate the ethical implications of legal decision making.
• Interpretation and Understanding of Legal Texts: Success in philosophy depends on close reading, clear interpretation, and solid textual analysis. Law students who have studied philosophy have an advantage when interpreting legal texts because they can use philosophy's emphasis on precision and clarity of language to properly understand legal documents.
• Exceptional Writing Skills: Legal matters demand rigorous analytical writing. Philosophy courses develop students’ abilities to communicate tricky concepts clearly and coherently — a key skill when it comes to all types of legal writing, including drafting legal briefs, opinions, and memos.

Whether your focus is law, philosophy, or a seemingly unrelated major, many students find great benefits from taking philosophy courses. For law students, studying philosophy can help to improve typical law school courses by equipping them with a solid intellectual and ethical foundation. Philosophy can help every student thrive, in both their studies and their careers.

Very few people show up to college saying “I want to study philosophy, so I can become a philosopher.” (Indeed, many people land in their first philosophy class not knowing quite what the heck it is, having been told by someone in their life “everyone should take at least one philosophy class while they’re in college.” Many others land in philosophy because the class is open when they go to register for classes!) Studying philosophy doesn’t specifically prepare you for a career in anything in particular (unless you are in that very small group of people who know they want to be college professors of philosophy, or that even smaller group of independently wealthy people who want to spend their lives contemplating the meaning of life and don’t have to worry about getting a job). That’s the bad news–but it’s actually the good news. 

That’s because employers in all kinds of industries, nonprofit organizations and professions report that they are seeking employees who have strong skills in critical thinking. And while many disciplines can promise that those are things you’ll learn when studying them, only in philosophy are these skills the focus of its study. So, while philosophy doesn’t prepare you for anything in particular, it does a tremendously good job of preparing you for everything in general. As a major, it leaves you in the nimble position of having a set of tools that you can put to use in a variety of jobs and professions–and not just the “usual suspects” like law and ministry. Philosophers become computer programmers, financial planners, schoolteachers, social workers, managers, data analysts and technical writers. 

Studying philosophy gives you an opportunity to address those big, abstract questions about which people always make philosophy jokes. Philosophers really do think about the meaning of life, and honestly, who wouldn’t want to get college credit for doing that? 

The study of philosophy also fosters personal growth by helping students expand their worldview and discover what matters to them. Studying philosophy is a way to study yourself. 

Reasons to take a Philosophy course

• Taking a philosophy course can present you with fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reality. Philosophy concepts are intended to prompt deep, honest self-reflection, leading to a better understanding of yourself and the world.
• Philosophy helps you develop your critical thinking skills, boosting your ability to evaluate statements, opinions, and arguments. You’ll learn to ask questions to make informed choices, a skill vital in other areas of life.
• Being open to a variety of different philosophical perspectives fosters intellectual curiosity by teaching you to appreciate viewpoints different from your own, instilling empathy, tolerance, and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.
• Taking part in ethical debates and discussion cultivates strong ethical reasoning and moral development. By refining your own ethics and moral positions, you can make thoughtful decisions in your personal and professional lives.
• Philosophy places an emphasis on effective, clear communication and excellent written expression of ideas. It’s an important aspect of philosophy; one we’ll keep coming back to throughout the piece. Developing strong communication and writing skills helps you get your point across effectively.

In essence, studying philosophy in college invites you to explore profound questions, develop critical thinking skills, embrace intellectual curiosity, cultivate ethical reasoning, enhance communication abilities, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Doesn’t that sound like what you’d be doing late at night in the dorm anyway? Why not get credit for it? 

• Journalism and Writing: Training in philosophy enhances the analytical and critical thinking skills of journalists and writers. The skills honed in philosophy help writers to craft thoughtful arguments that deal with complex issues.
• Consulting and Strategy: Critical thinking and problem-solving, two of the most vital skills in philosophy, are vital to success in consulting and strategy. A foundation in philosophy allows strategists to analyze complex problems, think outside the box, and offer innovative, effective solutions.
• Medicine and Healthcare: Bioethics and medical ethics are especially relevant to the healthcare field. These specialties help medical professionals navigate ethical dilemmas in patient care, medical research, and policy-making.
• Counseling and Therapy: Philosophical concepts and frameworks can help guide individuals as they explore existential questions, the meaning of life, and moral dilemmas.
• Social Work: Studying philosophy enhances critical thinking and ethical reasoning, essential skills for addressing complex social issues and advocating effectively.
• Ministry: Deepens an understanding of ethical principles and existential questions, providing a strong foundation for thoughtful and compassionate leadership in ministry.
• Entrepreneurship: Questioning can lead to new ideas and creative solutions that can drive innovation.
• Law: Sharpen analytical reasoning and enhanced understanding of ethical frameworks, provide a strong foundation for effective legal analysis and argumentation.
• Philosophy professor: well, it is a thing, after all!

You can employ the skills you develop studying philosophy in any of a variety of jobs and professions. Philosophy gives individuals the skills to excel in fields in which critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and deep analysis are valued.

Philosophy isn’t only useful as career prep; philosophy is life prep. We encourage and welcome all students at �鶹��Ƶ to join us for one (or more!) philosophy courses. Though our department is small, you’ll find a pretty surprising array of classes, including some “standards” and some “unusual suspects.” You might find a class that complements your major beautifully–or you might take a class that leads you to identify your major. 

Standard philosophy courses include history courses in Ancient, Modern and Contemporary Philosophy, as well as courses in topics like Ethical Theory and Logic. Our faculty also have intriguing research specialties, and they regularly offer courses in them. How about a course in battle rap? The philosophy of sport? Addiction? Vagueness? Food? These are some of the uncommon and exciting areas of research that philosophers at �鶹��Ƶ are studying. Taking a philosophy course lets you work side-by-side with excellent teachers excited about their subject matter. Beyond that, they are also respected philosophers, active as writers, lecturers, performers, and public intellectuals. 

The Philosophy Department of �鶹��Ƶ �鶹��Ƶ provides you with the resources and support you need to expand your vision, become a citizen of the world, and participate in making a better future. Begin your journey at �鶹��Ƶ.