2008 Woodie Awards
Philosophical fun
The job prospects are few, but young philosophers choose major for more than just money
by Sean Flanders
Issue date: 2/19/08
Section: Student Life
For centuries philosophers have struggled to answer a fundamental question. Not "what is mind?" or "what's the meaning of life?" Those are easy. The true question that plagues all philosophers is: "what the hell am I going to do with a philosophy degree?"
Very rarely will someone find an ad in a classifieds section saying "philosopher wanted," yet each year a number of students at Minnesota State decide to major in the school's philosophy program. What motivates these people to seek a philosophy major, and how exactly do they plan to use it once they graduate?
One student, Jalen Hubner, plans to use his philosophy degree to become a lawyer. When he came to MSU he originally planned to major in political science, but he switched to a double major of philosophy and economics partway through his freshman year. He says that many law schools look favorably on applicants with a philosophy background because of its strong focus on logic and critical thinking, a must-have for any successful lawyer.
Others become philosophy majors for less practical reasons. Nate Klein, one of the leaders of the MSU Philosophy Club, picked the major because he had been interested in philosophy since his early teens. He says he is unsure what he will do after graduation - whether he will go to graduate school, work odd jobs or become a bum. Since his personal philosophy is that "nothing really matters," however, he isn't too worried.
Another philosophy major, Nick Braam, is more committed to attending graduate school and eventually becoming a philosophy teacher, but he shares Klein's deep interest in philosophy, saying he chose the major because he read the complete works of Plato during his freshman year but never had anyone he could discuss them with. To fill this need, Klein and Braam are starting the MSU Philosophy Club this semester as a forum to discuss all sorts of philosophical ideas with other students, regardless if they're philosophy majors, as long as they like to debate. They plan to show a number of videos at club meetings to spark conversation, such as "Fight Club," "The Big Lebowski" and the anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion." Those interested in joining the club are encouraged to contact Braam at nicholas.braam@mnsu.edu.
Many others don't major in philosophy but do like sampling some of the philosophy classes offered anyway. Almost all philosophy courses are open to all students, and many of them are useful in fulfilling general education requirements. Also, unlike English, history and science, very few students ever take a philosophy course during high school, so for many college students taking a philosophy class or two is a chance to try something new.
The number of students involved in the philosophy program remains small, and those who choose it as a major often get weird looks when they tell their friends and family about it, but, for reasons practical and impractical, a few new students choose it as their path every year.
Sean Flanders is a Reporter staff writer
Very rarely will someone find an ad in a classifieds section saying "philosopher wanted," yet each year a number of students at Minnesota State decide to major in the school's philosophy program. What motivates these people to seek a philosophy major, and how exactly do they plan to use it once they graduate?
One student, Jalen Hubner, plans to use his philosophy degree to become a lawyer. When he came to MSU he originally planned to major in political science, but he switched to a double major of philosophy and economics partway through his freshman year. He says that many law schools look favorably on applicants with a philosophy background because of its strong focus on logic and critical thinking, a must-have for any successful lawyer.
Others become philosophy majors for less practical reasons. Nate Klein, one of the leaders of the MSU Philosophy Club, picked the major because he had been interested in philosophy since his early teens. He says he is unsure what he will do after graduation - whether he will go to graduate school, work odd jobs or become a bum. Since his personal philosophy is that "nothing really matters," however, he isn't too worried.
Another philosophy major, Nick Braam, is more committed to attending graduate school and eventually becoming a philosophy teacher, but he shares Klein's deep interest in philosophy, saying he chose the major because he read the complete works of Plato during his freshman year but never had anyone he could discuss them with. To fill this need, Klein and Braam are starting the MSU Philosophy Club this semester as a forum to discuss all sorts of philosophical ideas with other students, regardless if they're philosophy majors, as long as they like to debate. They plan to show a number of videos at club meetings to spark conversation, such as "Fight Club," "The Big Lebowski" and the anime series "Neon Genesis Evangelion." Those interested in joining the club are encouraged to contact Braam at nicholas.braam@mnsu.edu.
Many others don't major in philosophy but do like sampling some of the philosophy classes offered anyway. Almost all philosophy courses are open to all students, and many of them are useful in fulfilling general education requirements. Also, unlike English, history and science, very few students ever take a philosophy course during high school, so for many college students taking a philosophy class or two is a chance to try something new.
The number of students involved in the philosophy program remains small, and those who choose it as a major often get weird looks when they tell their friends and family about it, but, for reasons practical and impractical, a few new students choose it as their path every year.
Sean Flanders is a Reporter staff writer
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