Hey, I’m new here. I have about a year or so left until college and I’m planning to major in philosophy. Now, Ive been looking around all day and I couldn’t really find any type of career you can go into with a degree in philosophy. Other than law i think, and i’ve read you can almost do anything. But i’m not sure…
Anybody know of anything you can do with a degree in philosophy?
You can fill an empty picture frame with it, or that blank spot on the wall above the dresser.
Very, very good…
What should you do following a Philosophy degree? Pursue Philosophy!
Teach?
Thanks, although it wasn’t extremely clever because the irony was easy, but there were two cases. The first is that by not infering the symbolism of the degree as a way to “get a job,” it indirectly signifies the fact that it is quite hard if unlikely to get a desired job with a philosophy degree. The second irony is just as simple. The reader doesn’t suspect that someone would suggest any uses for the actual piece of paper that is the degree.
I thought about it further and now realize that it could of been done better. Like this:
"There are several things you can do with a degree, man. Do you really need to ask? I mean seriously, starting threads about things you should be able to figure out on your own is pretty senseless.
You can fill a folder with one, a picture frame, or hang it up. You can use it to start a fire, wipe up something spilt, use it for a note pad or doodling in general. Several things can be done with it."
If it were done this way, a third irony would be added but not recognized until the end, where it becomes obvious its a joke. KKD immediately suspects that I’m being serious and attacking him for starting the thread. There is a slight suspense there. When he reaches the punchline, he is relieved and the third irony is satisfying and makes the joke better.
When someone asks me what can you do with philosophy,I always reply, " You can think deep thoughts about being unemployed"
end of discussion
I think I may just go put that in my quote. It is always the popular question.
If you truly need a formal training in philosophy, you’re not meant for it. Major in something else. Minor in philosophy if you must.
Actually, I tend to find those who think you don’t need formal training in Philosophy just talk bullshit and bore the rest of us who have with inane ‘insights’. But that’s just me.
Back to the thread, you can ask the same question about virtually any arts subject. The point is critical thinking. Philosophy degrees are highly valued, ‘vocational’ degrees only teach you to think one way and in management, marketing, etc.
I’d far prefer a Philosophy student to a business student. Business students are, on the whole, stupid and learnt to jump through hoops like good little doggies. And their degree is out of date within 5 years. Whereas having a good eye for breaking down an argument, doing fast and to the point research, that never goes out of fashion.
Some interpret the words ‘need’ and ‘formal’ different than others.
Hi Killkevindead,
A few months ago i went to check out this University that held an open house to showcase for all prospective students. I am also planning on majoring in philosophy, and when i went there, i found out that this Uni has a co-op placement for Philosophy! I was surprised, as i have never heard of any such thing. (Co-op by the way is where the Uni sets you up with a job as part of a "work term" that counts for your degree.) I asked the profs there what jobs can philosophy co-op students get. They said that you can get a job as a researcher/analyst as part of a team for a big firm, governtment or NGO.
Then they said that sometimes philosophy students get hired at software companies such as Microsoft, as a project manager of sort, who help develop the software. Although the philo majors don’t understand/know the technical stuff, they can understand the complex concepts embedded within computer programing/science.
Those are perfect examples as to how broad of a job spectrum you have. Really you can do just about anything, although usually extra schooling on the job specific skill may also be required.
Remember, all other disciplines may teach you about a perticular subject, philosophy teaches you how to think 
No, it was just fine the first time. Leave it as it is.
The post is very cool. Its impact is great because it delivers in concise, pointed, simple, arrangements. The dot at the end of the sentence is also effective. You see, what I would have done is write the sentence and place three dots at the end, just for the romantic weavery of it all. Then, on reading the post once again, I’d notice the awkward atmosphere that remains floating, push the edit button and backward the last two dots. Thus, severing the useless embroidery of my words and replacing it with military rigour. Also making them sound like a verdict. The the pun/joke would be infinitely more effective.
Embellishing has its time, but the strength and aesthetical quality of any witty response resides in its shortness. I didn’t even bother to read the new, extended version as it seemed like a waste of time ,when there was life to be lived and undeniable charm in detrop’s short ironies. Being tantalizingly self-explicative creates a recoil effect that drives off interpreters and softens the edges. Nothing more undesirable, really…
Anything that doesn’t require a specific degree, such as medicine. But you can even do a startup medicine course if you want, and go from there. A degree is a degree and a philosophy degree tells a potential employer you can think critically and logically. Having employed people who cannot think logically myself, I would argue for how important this is.
You can do more with a philosophy degree than any other degree.
Unfortunately it’s just harder to do that than with any other degree.
I should have taken English as my undergrad but with one year left in my philosophy undergrad I don’t really regret the decision. Analytical thinking isn’t as much of a strong asset for me but as Ob1 said, critical thinking is a skill that is increasingly needed in today’s world.
Some of the business students that would take ethics courses as electives were… … laughable to say the least.
you can do whatever you want with it. the best thing about getting a philosophy degree is that its more or less worthless. so go back to school and do whatever else you want knowing that youll do it better now than you wouldve before.
Dude, you can’t do anything with a degree in philosophy, but at least you’ll know exactly why.
I wouldn’t look for “direct” benefits of gaining a philosophy degree for the sake of a certain career, rather, it is the very benefits of understanding the very bounds of logic which really pay off. A mind of logic and understanding is not one which can be wasted in any aspect of life.
Hi
If I had a degree in philosophy, my next step would be either to travel, research or to become a writer in order to express what I have learnt on the subject so far.
Using philosophy to make money or a living can be hard. Unless you have a chance to apply philosophy in other job roles e.g. research, creating methodoligies for business or using logic for creating programing langauges.