Getting to grips with some of the most significant issues of human life and society seems like a tall order for just one subject. But not when the subject is philosophy, one of the best opportunities of any university degree for those interested in delving deeper in the way we think about things.
Ethics, morals, metaphysics, science and logic are all familiar words to us but few get to grips with their actual meaning and the implication of different ways of thinking that derive from the study of philosophy. It’s likely that every high school student has absorbed an element of philosophy, or the teachings of a particular philosopher, during the course of their studies without actually realizing it – such is the universal importance of the subject to arts and humanities, science and mathematics.
Philosophy is the area of study that concerns itself with the most significant questions that face us all in our lives. It involves the critical examination of such issues as what we consider to be fundamentally true; what is reality and what is myth; and how we should live our lives. What is at the heart of the academic discipline of philosophy is the constant questioning of knowledge and perspective based on both historical and contemporary events. The great philosophical debates of two thousand years ago are as relevant today as they ever were, making the subject one of the most intellectually exciting of all undergraduate degrees. Above all else, the study of philosophy helps us understand events and the world around us and makes sense of seemingly senseless situations.
Philosophy is not for everyone but is often regarded as one of the most rewarding of all undergraduate degrees available in the world’s top universities. Because the subject area is not obviously vocational, you will probably know already whether philosophy is for you if you are interested in the fundamental ideas and arguments that are behind some of the major institutions that surround us: government, politics, religion, war and history. Studying philosophy helps you think more clearly – students that wish to read the subject at the undergraduate level often have a very broad background, coming equally from arts and humanities or science subjects – and supports your intellectual development through the concentration on understanding and solving increasingly complex and abstract concepts and questions.
Budding philosophers tend to have above average academic backgrounds and are among the more vocal in class! They are confident “thinkers” and adapt easily to different concepts and ideas as presented at high school. If you’re contemplating a philosophy undergraduate degree you will be the type of student that is prepared to consider arguments from your classmates and analyse their point of view and approach before offering a counterargument or a different approach to the same problem.
Universities that have philosophy departments support a variety of undergraduate programs in the subject area. Single degrees in philosophy will present a comprehensive view of the discipline, introducing some of the key concepts, the historical movements and they key figures and their various theories and approaches. It is very common in such degree programs that courses will also focus on major issues in the modern world, such as the “war on terror”, the continuing role of religion in today’s globalizing world and the development of new biotechnologies, such as human embryo research.
It is also possible to read philosophy in tandem with other academic areas, such as history, literature, science and politics. Such joint or combined degrees allow you to explore the importance of philosophy as a foundation for these other subjects and help you to develop different areas of interest that you may have. As with other degrees, studying philosophy will also allow you to study abroad through exchange and mobility schemes and provide you with the opportunity to enjoy a study abroad experience.
How often do you meet a philosopher? It almost goes without saying that the study of philosophy is not vocational and an undergraduate philosophy degree, even from one of the world’s top 100 universities, will not seamlessly lead to a career in philosophy. Students that graduate with an undergraduate degree in philosophy are as employable as any other graduates; the nature, content and structure of the degree helps produce essential skills used in many different fields of employment. Take, for example, the number of famous people that have studied philosophy – Martin Luther King, Bruce Lee, Harrison Ford, T S Eliot, George Soros, Woody Allen and Bill Clinton!
Philosophy graduates can commonly be found employed as journalists, lawyers, researchers, teachers, civil servants, diplomats and in many branches of the media. Their success tends to be the result of the nature of most philosophy degrees; studying the subject helps you judge the differences between a good and a bad argument and draw reasoned views from difficult situations. Philosophy also exposes you to a range of arguments and ideas and helps you navigate a clear approach that is both informed and based on logic; again, essential qualities in any area of employment where roles are very much dependent on the way in which you communicate ideas and arguments.