Is it worth majoring/minoring in philosophy?

I was just wondering if anyone here is minoring or majoring in or has already minored or majored in philosophy in the United States. If so, was it worth it? What kind of philosophy do they teach? Does theology figure into it at all? Do they really teach anything that I couldn’t just learn on my own? What would be the advantages to majoring or minoring in philosophy at an American college? Are there any good ones in Texas or somewhere near?

Yes, I would say that becomeing a philosophy major is just about the best descion I’ve made this existance. There is lots of Philosophy of Science at my school (I’ve already taken Phil of Economics and I’m takeing Phil of Bio this fall.) There is ethics if you interested, philosophy of language, mind, deductive systems the whole bit. I guess you could probably call it analytic mostly, but then again people are pretty obsessed with Wittenstein these days. Its rare to find a class that doesn’t have Wittenstein, Hume, Kant or all three. I haven’t seen theology come into play, but I haven’t taken phil of religion. In my first ethics class we went over the problem of evil, and descrates talked about God- but its all from a very philosophical perspective. (Ahh, how my first prof made the theist cry.)

I’d say it would be pretty hard to learn everything I’ve have learned on my own. First of all I wouldn’t know what to read. Second, I’m only now comeing to the point where I can break a wordy text down to its crunchy bits anywhere within the vinicity of my professors’ great skill at this. Finnialy, the imput from other classmates is sometimes usefull and interesting.

I don’t know about any schools near Texas. Are you sure you want to stay in Texas? I’ve been to Houston and found it quite depressing. Really I know nothing about the non-Baltimore schools. But it does seem to me going towards civilisation you will be more likely to find a fair sized aggrogate of decent philosophers.

that’s kinda funny…majoring in philo was probably one of my worst decisions… ok, it really wasn’t majoring in the subject that was bad, it was simply what I was looking for out of it. Philo classes gave me a good sense of what alot of philosophers have written, and helped to force me to make stronger logical arguments… That being said, I went into philo looking for answers. Philo classes didn’t give me anything close to answers, just more questions (not always a bad thing, just not what i was hoping for). Also found that too many arguments in class were led by self-absorbed people arguing over, what seemed to me to be, miniscule differences in thought. This would get especially amusing when the 22 yr old with a whopping 4 yrs of philo. would argue about interpretation of some text with complete conviction that no one could be right but them (and do so against a world renown philosopher who had been studying the text since before they were born)

I received a BA in Philosophy (minor in math) in the '70s. I started Grad school in the subject and came to the following conclusions:

  • There are two reasons to attend college - 1) to get a job and 2) to learn something.

  • In accomplishing goal #1, unfortunately, it isn’t necessary to spend any time with goal #2 in mind.

  • Goal #2 can be accomplished outside of the University.

  • If graduate school and further training in the subject is part of the ultimate goal, the likely job choices will fall mainly in the teaching field.

  • College philosophy departments are NOT wonderful forums for open, freewheeling discussion and learning - they are petty, turf protecting little domains of self satisfaction. And I’m actually holding back on this one!

  • If you plan on attending a professional school (Law, Medical, etc.), it can be a good undergraduate program to go through, as it displays a good range of knowledge and the Pro. Schools like that kind of thing.

  • If you don’t like the first degree, you can always go back … .

In my case, I didn’t want to have to deal with the inter-departmental politics that I observed at several Universities. I decided to leave grad school because I knew I didn’t want to work in that kind of environment.

Not all departments are bad but when you are looking for employment in this area, your choices are likely to be those institutions with the worst records. At the good schools, someone has to die to open up a chair! For better or worse, philosophers seem to live a long time so this is not a selling point.

For the record, I’ve been studying philosophy since I was 13 (1966) and I use my knowledge of the subject on a daily basis. I’m currently working as an engineer (automation software) and NOTHING I do is offered in a University course.

The biggest downside to working on philosophical issues outside of the academic field is that you have some limits on publishing within the field itself. I’m working on something now which will probably have to get introduced through a Computer or Business forum rather than a philosophical one. The upside is that there may be some real money in going this other way.

Good luck!

What was your first job once you quit Philo grad school?

I am a major in philosophy.

Dude Logos, are you in AI? What exactly is automation software? Also if you’re ever in Martin County (stuart/Jensen Beach area) PM me first and we’ll grab a beer (provided you drink beer)

h3m

I was doing cable access shows (new thing at the time, '79 - '80 range) with some friends. I had never considered working in television but I have a wide range of talents and it was good doing something that used my artistic, technical, writing, and other skills. Also, I live in a place that had a lot of development going on in the broadcast field (Vital Industries, for example - maker of the Squeezzoom, the first video effects device).

At any rate, I went from doing mostly production - commercials, music video stuff, interview programs, etc. - to working on the engineering side of things.

The odd side effect of this exodus has been that I am now an expert in at least one area in which I have absolutely no interest. I hate that!

Alas, I would not recommend the broadcast industry to anyone other than those wishing to escape “do you want fries with that?” The industry has changed so much that there is little room for creativity or originality. Also, pay for most is really not acceptable.

In the end, chance and proximity will have a greater impact on your future than college will. If you can wade through undergraduate school doing something you enjoy, that seems to be a pretty good deal.

Another question for those who have studied philosophy: is it usefull to read some books on the history of philosophy or the different philosophys/philosophers that are known?

Automation software as in automating TV stations and networks.

My current interest in philosophy is related to ‘Knowledge Systems’ and not specifically AI (although there is some overlap). I have reached a point where I think I have something I want to offer for general consumption in the field and I am still working through the existing literature to see if what I am doing is novel or if others have refuted the basic elements. It’s looking good so far as most of the existing material in this area is in the business world and it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of foundation thinking.

Also, I do drink beer. Newcastle mostly.

knowledge systems? Like expert knowledge databases and things like that?

I’m interested in the behavioral aspects of the transmission of knowledge over time. Secondarily, I’m interested in developing simple algorithms to describe complex behavior (similar to Wolfram’s “New Kind of Science”), specifically in the area of problem solving within large groups.

If that isn’t scary, I don’t know what is!

Hmm, thats funny. I always feel free to present my pet theories. And if anything I’d say my profs are not too permissive of the freshman raiseing his hand and spouting incoherencies for a few minutes.

The Imaginary Man has a point. One really shouldn’t come to Philosophy if what they want is answers. There are treasured few to be found. On the other hand I’m thourly convinced that the ‘answers’ one can find other places are quite simply heaps of B.S. So I would say, Philosophy sucks, but not nearly as much as everything else- except math, math is cool. Go study math.

Yes, I used to live in Houston, so I know what you mean. It has the worst air pollution, the highest cancer rate, and is totally dirty. If that isn’t depressing, then what is? Luckily I live in Dallas which isn’t too bad (even tho Austin is better) I sure as hell wouldn’t mind moving, but I own a landscaping business here, and don’t really have the money. The courses you described sound good, but what I was thinking, being that I like to develop my own philophies was taking a lot of logic. I feel like I have good intuition, and I am also good with logic, but could be stronger in it, and that could strengthen my personal theories and philosophies.

I would recommend that anyone who wants to make money and get out of entry level BS, start your own business. Work on your own time. It seems like that is hard, but it really isnt. It worked for me just doing landscaping and such. I make enough to support myself comfortably now, and I just started the business not too long ago. In the future if I still have this business, I can hire others to do most of the work for me, and still earn a comfortable living.

I am mostly interested in the information from college, not for vocational reasons, the a good job would be a nice side effect.

Nice!

DO NOT GO TO THE UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS. DO NOT GO THERE. NOT EVEN TO VISIT.

I grew up in Ft Worth and My father and my uncle went to UD in the sixties. They are a liberal arts college and may look all sexy. but they’re evil and will trap you with the stupid, outdated conservative catholic bullshit. AVERT YOUR EYES YOU WILL TURN TO STONE

Sweet! Logos is down with the complexity theory! Awesome! I got into complexity theory by way of Deleuze and a thousand plateau. Unfortunately, I had no science background to speak of and so I’ve been floundering around trying to find A way into the whole big business. I think I may have found it with anthropology. Tell me, logos, are you associated with UF?

H3m

Alien,
I’m sorry I haven’t given you an positive reply and I’ve slightly hijacked your thread. Pardon.

I would advise you to double major. Philosophy is like the MSG of the academic world. It makes everything taste a little bit more like itself. What philosophy does is enable you to probe better into your home field. Basically philosophy trains you to ask better questions, and really you’re only as good as your questions.

You sound like a great candidate to be a Philosophy/Biology double major. You like philosophy, you like math (that was you wasn’t it?), you run a landscaping business. Man, you do that and you’ll be able to kill with a thought; Wiggle your fingers and women will swoon; Nod your head and your ice bin will be filled with Cristal. You and the Darth will rule as father and son!!!

Yes math is cool… Luckily, I don’t look for things in the format of answers. The right answers are all about asking the right questions.

cool, thanks for the warning…