Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedIs getting a degree in philosophy a waste of time?
Results so far:
| Yes | 33% | 26 votes | Total: 79 votes | |
| No | 67% | 53 votes |
Yes
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesI'm forced to vote yes on this question simply because we all must live in a real world of stark economic reality. Of course, no form of education that improves the mind is a waste of time. A person of college student age has the unique experience of being exposed to all types of learning influences, and should carefully file them away in memory as building blocks in a store of intelligence, to put to use when it is time to face that real world.
The reason I voted yes on the question was because I believe earning a degree in philosophy is totally impractical, and an unrealistic goal if the graduate expects to earn a living. The graduate can't use that kind of academic degree to get a meaningful job, unless the job is teaching other philosophy majors. Employment prospects, particularly in today's very shaky economy, can be particularly cruel to those who've spent years in college without acquiring a marketable profession.
If my children or anyone else would consider enrolling in college today, and if they were determined to major in philosophy, my advice would be to first realistically consider their futures. I'd ask them to do some heavy homework on job prospects today, and projections for four years hence when they'd be starting their careers.
I would not object if they'd insist on enrolling for purely academic subjects, including philosophy, history and literature, I'd advise them to take those courses as freshmen and sophomores, but not choose them exclusively as their majors. In those first two years, I'd suggest they also take basic courses related to preparing for careers, such as engineering, business, accounting, math, science and pre-med. I'd remind them to begin considering various professional careers from the very start of their freshman year.
After they've successfully completed their sophomore years, I'd strongly advise them to cut out or cut back on academics and concentrate on earning degrees in professional majors. Additionally, if their grade point averages were high, and they want to improve their professional career qualifications, I'd strongly advise that they continue on to earn master's degrees. This could make thems even more marketable.
College courses in philosophy and the other purely academic studies are certainly not a waste of time. However, fortunately or unfortunately, our market-driven economy requires and hires college graduates who can begin practicing their professional skills as soon as they've earned that market-related degree.
Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
Is the pursuit of a degree in philosophy a waste of time? Is any college major in a "non-practical" field a valid choice? One could philosophize about these and similar questions all day long, but at the end of the day, the answer - and its validity - depends on the goals of the individual student.
If a student has a burning, passionate, intense interest in a non-practical subject (such as philosophy), he or she will likely be motivated to succeed in that area only. In other words, you can lead an artsy student to accounting, but you can't make him or her actually desire conventional success.
Many "ironclad" majors, such as engineering or pre-professional tracks, see students drop out during their undergraduate years. Whether influenced by parental or societal demands, students initially choose these fields based on preconceived notions of guaranteed success. Students (and their parents) often mistakenly believe that if they just have that useful degree, acclaim and riches will pour in automatically.
However, to be successful in any field, one mustn't lack genuine motivation. For those who have picked a peck of practical majors simply on the basis of that practicality, motivation will prove tough to maintain over time. As a result, success in the field might actually be tougher, rather than easier, to accomplish.
Any degree is worthless if one does nothing with it; one could graduate from Harvard, engineering degree in hand, and lack the initiative required to go forth confidently in the direction of gainful employment. On the other hand, one could graduate from western northern regional state U, with a double major in art and dance, and go on to tremendous success. If obtained with practicality (as well as passion) in mind, a "creative" degree can indeed prove its own worth.
Education is a constantly-growing field, and thus obtaining teacher certification in a seemingly impractical field is always a good option. Of course, one can always proceed to graduate school and become a professor in the subject as well. Another option is attending graduate school in a field for which there often are no corresponding undergraduate majors: higher education administration, many forms of criminal justice, and adult education, to name just a few.
There are also some entry-level jobs, many in business and government, that don't require a specific major or degree for getting one's foot in the door.
Philosophy degrees in particular are also great for pre-law programs, just as there are various majors that fit the requirements for other pre-professional programs. For those trying to become dentists, pharmacists, or attorneys, the specific major is not as important as the sequence of required preparatory courses, often taken outside the major.
Of course, given the unprecedented unemployment facing today's graduates, attention should certainly be paid to practical matters. Students majoring in philosophy or similar fields would be wise to explore all of their options. They could minor in a more practical field, or double major with a more pragmatic second degree. Whatever their final choice, though, it should be theirs and theirs alone.
Learn more about this author, Robyn Keyster.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
