The Importance of Philosophy

Philosophers seek answers to fundamental questions about life and human existence. A study of philosophy develops problem-solving, analytical, judgmental and synthesizing capabilities that are unrestricted in their scope and valuable in any career.

Some philosophers, like those who emphasize analysis of language, reject metaphysics and argue for a scientific standard of verification. Other philosophical studies pursue questions about art, morality, religion, science and all of the other major areas of concern to mankind.

General Problem Solving

Philosophy is a broad subject, and it’s a useful one for students planning postgraduate work in fields such as law, medicine or business. In addition, it enhances the student’s general problem-solving capacities and improves his ability to think clearly and analyze concepts, definitions and arguments. It helps him distinguish fine differences between views and find common ground between opposing positions. It also teaches him how to deal with questions of value and how to put issues into manageable form.

Besides studying general problems, philosophy also addresses specific subjects such as the nature of man (is he merely a body or does he have a soul?), the ethics of business and the nature and possible limits of various forms of government, including laissez-faire capitalism, socialism, fascism or anarchy. It also addresses the meaning of art and the relationship between it and morality, religion, science and other major areas of human activity. In doing so, it contributes to the development of sound research and analysis methods.

Communication Skills

The study of philosophy enhances, in a way that few other activities can, one’s problem-solving capacities. This is because it trains students to analyze concepts, definitions and arguments. It also helps them to organize ideas and issues and to extract what is essential from masses of data. The capacity to find common ground between opposing views or perspectives is also honed by studying philosophy.

All of these capacities are highly desirable in the job market. In fact, when business leaders and employers are asked what skills they wish their employees had, the ability to think critically is often at the top of the list. The communication and problem-solving skills acquired through the study of philosophy are easily transferable to other areas, as well. This makes philosophers flexible in the workplace and able to adapt quickly to change. This flexibility and problem-solving skill are especially valuable in a world of rapidly changing technology.

Self-Knowledge

A central philosophical question is whether or not knowledge is a kind of thing that can be described and understood in terms of other things. If it can, that would make acquiring and maintaining it much easier.

The philosophical history of the issue of knowledge is a rich one, full of theses and theories. In this class, we will learn to distinguish and synthesize these ideas and develop a sense of what philosophers have thought about knowledge – how it both does and does not exist.

A particular theme is the nature of introspection and what constitutes knowledge about a person’s mental states. This is an area that often overlaps with the philosophy of mind, but a person’s self-consciousness does not necessarily entail that she also knows anything about what goes on in other minds. We will explore some of the controversies surrounding these issues. This is an important but complex topic, and a rewarding one for students interested in more advanced philosophy.

Self-Esteem

Philosophers have long viewed self-esteem as one of the most natural and important virtues. However, as with all human needs it appears to require both external appreciation and inner pride. Nevertheless, self-esteem is believed to be primarily the result of life experiences and can be influenced by such factors as racial discrimination, unemployment, etc.

In contrast to a movement such as Christianity which has a built-in motivation for change, philosophy has no built-in demand that it lead to good action. Rather, it provides an opportunity to explore and analyze the problems that are confronted by thinking people throughout history.

The problem-solving, analytical and judging abilities philosophy develops are unrestricted in their scope and unlimited in their usefulness. This makes it a valuable subject for any student planning postgraduate work in areas such as law, medicine and business. In addition, philosophical training broadens the range of topics students can understand and deepens their understanding of the world and its variety.

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