Philosophy

[Philosophyking87]

What careers are available with a major in philosophy?

 

[SpaceYeti]

Philosophy professor.

 

[Melllvar]

What careers are available with a major in philosophy?

Lol, that's pretty funny. You're joking right?

 

[SpaceYeti]

You don't major in philosophy if you're going to try to be employed.

 

[Moocow]

Cult leader might be more lucrative.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Cult leader might be more lucrative.

Theosophy?

 

[BigApplePi]

Some large businesses might hire philosophy people. Try Google, Inc. and that sort.

 

[SpaceYeti]

For what?

 

[Anthile]

Taxi driver, waiter, cashier, etc.

Honestly, a philosophy degree is pretty much useless regarding jobs. You're better off with, well, pretty much everything else.

 

[Tyria]

I would ask around at your school or university. Job security is important in these difficult economic times.

Would you consider going into a field with good job security if it meant that you could pursue philosophy as a hobby or passion?

 

[Zmaster]

You could be a Librarian or Patent Clerk. Some of the best minds in the past 400 years were both occupations. Spinoza is the best example of this!

 

[GottabeKB]

I have a friend who's getting a major in Philosophy and then he's going into Law School to become a lawyer and possibly later, a judge. I actually do think that Philosophy is a good precursor to studying Law because you are able to understand things from a 'big picture' viewpoint. When you look at a law you can see its implications and why it was created etc.
Anyways, good luck with your studies.

 

[Black Rose]

What careers are available with a major in philosophy?

Rhetorical Statement

Answer is obvious.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher_king

 

[Anthile]

Just too bad the job market for despots goes through a major recession right now.

 

[Philosophyking87]

Yeah, it seems philosophy is career suicide, basically. I'm going to just focus on psychology instead. That means I'll have to really improve my mathematical and scientific skills. That of course means I'll need to actually get much more used to extraverted thinking (given that it's more empirical and worldly, whereas Ti seems much more ethereal and non-empirical). Anyone else engaged in a scientific setting? Is introverted thinking really suited for science?

Also, if I were to major in psychology, what do you guys think would be a great minor? I really want to do philosophy as a minor, but is it really wise?

 

[Words]

Rationalism as oppose to Empiricism...? How about Formal Science?

I think Science is too broad to be fitted to a certain function. There are theoretical, factual and systematical divisions within it. At best, it could be an "N" thing...but then there's the "S"-things that I hear about in lab work.

Psychology, I think, is no more worldly than Philosophy. But then the issue is based on application, which is in itself goal-oriented.

Social Science deals with "perspectives"(Ni) essentially, Formal Science is more Ti'sh and Natural Science is NT'sh. Any "Applied Science", on other hand, is more Te'ish. Any research-oriented stuff is more NT'sh.

 

[BigApplePi]

Psychology is eminently employable IMO. Philosophy would be highly useful in industry, not the specifics, but because it means you can think, you can judge what is important, you might be able to acquire an overall more accurate view of a company and its competition. That is very important but only at higher levels. Keep philosophy interests in your record. I don't know about minors.

Psychology would be a great major. You can go anywhere and don't have to decide where you would go with it now. Are you in college or just beginning?

 

[digital angel]

Yeah, it seems philosophy is career suicide, basically. I'm going to just focus on psychology instead. That means I'll have to really improve my mathematical and scientific skills. That of course means I'll need to actually get much more used to extraverted thinking (given that it's more empirical and worldly, whereas Ti seems much more ethereal and non-empirical). Anyone else engaged in a scientific setting? Is introverted thinking really suited for science?

Also, if I were to major in psychology, what do you guys think would be a great minor? I really want to do philosophy as a minor, but is it really wise?

If you really want to minor in philosophy, go for it. Perhaps, it could help you with a major in psychology. I minored in philosophy. I went to law school and then moved on to get an LL.M. in Taxation.

Why do you think you'll have to get used to more extraverted thinking in math and science?

 

[BigApplePi]

PhilosopherKing. I went to my philosophy discussion group this evening. The professor (of Philosophy) had to leave early but I grabbed him and said I knew a philosophy student who want to know about employment. (I said other than Philosophy Professor). His reply was "anything." He mentioned, just go to an insurance company, but then he rushed out.

I remember a long time ago when my 1st job was that of a computer programmer. A new hire sat next to me. I asked her or she volunteered her background. She was an anthropology major. Apparently they were hiring anyone who could pass the programming test with good grades. A philosophy person makes you well equipped to go any many fields.

Come to think of it, a good friend of mine has a Masters in Philosophy. He worked for the city for many years and loved his job. He was an ESFJ though.

Another philosophy buddy of mine was a building superintendent of high grade buildings here in NYC.

Does any of this help?

 

[Philosophyking87]

Yes, it helps. Thanks for the info.

 

[Beat Mango]

I have a friend who's getting a major in Philosophy and then he's going into Law School to become a lawyer and possibly later, a judge. I actually do think that Philosophy is a good precursor to studying Law because you are able to understand things from a 'big picture' viewpoint. When you look at a law you can see its implications and why it was created etc.
Anyways, good luck with your studies.

Nah. I do law and it's really for Te & Si/Ni dominants with OCD. Lawyering is all about the little details; the big picture is only really a small aside. Not to say an INTP couldn't do well in it, but it's not something that would feel totally natural.

I'm philosophy major and I've worked with the government for two years since graduating, and am about to move into insurance (so perhaps BigApplePi's professor was onto something ).

Look there's a lot of employers out there, including the highly lucrative management consulting firms, who make it a priority to look at your grades over your major. The best advice is to get good (read: excellent) grades, then you should be able to take your pick.

Is introverted thinking really suited for science?

Facepalm. YES.

 

[Jah]

Try a little science.
It clears the mind.

 

[digital angel]

Nah. I do law and it's really for Te & Si/Ni dominants with OCD. Lawyering is all about the little details; the big picture is only really a small aside. Not to say an INTP couldn't do well in it, but it's not something that would feel totally natural.

I'm philosophy major and I've worked with the government for two years since graduating, and am about to move into insurance (so perhaps BigApplePi's professor was onto something ).

Look there's a lot of employers out there, including the highly lucrative management consulting firms, who make it a priority to look at your grades over your major. The best advice is to get good (read: excellent) grades, then you should be able to take your pick.
.

I disagree. I don't think that being a lawyer is all about the details. I think the big picture isn't really a small side. I think it's a mixture of the big picture, the details and the ability to bridge them.

I believe you stated that you do law. What kind of law do you practice? Or, are you a law student?

 

[Beat Mango]

I disagree. I don't think that being a lawyer is all about the details. I think the big picture isn't really a small side. I think it's a mixture of the big picture, the details and the ability to bridge them.

I believe you stated that you do law. What kind of law do you practice? Or, are you a law student?

That's fine. You're wrong though.

I'm a student.

 

[digital angel]

That's fine. You're wrong though.

I'm a student.

No worries.

 

[Beat Mango]

Aw I was hoping for an argument

 

[BigApplePi]

I'm philosophy major and I've worked with the government for two years since graduating, and am about to move into insurance (so perhaps BigApplePi's professor was onto something ).

lol.

If philosophy majors have their minds in the clouds, perhaps they can see further. That could be a useful thing in the real world.

 

[Beat Mango]

Well the things you want to sell come job application time as a philosophy major are:

- communication skills (essays etc)
- persuasive skills (essays, where you're arguing for a particular point of view)
- research (you do research, right?)
- attention to detail (poring through dense texts looking for errors in logic or language)
- understanding complex data

Plus any other way your creative mind can link the job you're applying for to your degree. The biggest weakpoint will probably be your lack of team work skills, or specific examples of times you worked in a team. Hopefully your course includes that though as part of assessment. If not, you can join your college's philosophy association, get involved in the meetings etc, hopefully become president, and that will be a great example of your teamwork skills. The other weakpoint will be your demonstrated lack of interest in the business or bureaucratic world. That's where this comes into it:

I really think that what this article say is true, but the biggest problem for philosophy graduates is to understand and express their abilities in a "company language".

You really have to learn that. Go to various companys websites, follow them on twitter, read articles in the business section of the newspaper, etc. If you can speak the language, so to speak, it will go a long way to showing your interest in the world of current affairs and business.

Ah and I did all this for an entry level insurance job. It's a tough game

 

[digital angel]

Aw I was hoping for an argument

Perhaps another time. I'm a tax attorney. If you like to argue, you could consider law school.

 

[digital angel]

lol.

If philosophy majors have their minds in the clouds, perhaps they can see further. That could be a useful thing in the real world.

lol.

 

[Beat Mango]

I'm a tax attorney.

I'm sorry

 

[Hadoblado]

I am a psychology major and philosophy minor. The prospects for psychology are quite good, I highly recommend the major. Philosophy is really interesting, but for the most part useless. Some of it such as formal logic is good, and looks good on a resume, but it is really just for the mental stimulation.

 

[Philosophyking87]

I suppose philosophy is a difficult major. What do you guys think of research psychology? I really don't like people. I'm very investigative and creative (cerebral).

 

[kinetickyle]

If you love philosophy, I say major in it. I wish I had. Didn't you say in another thread that you were planning to go to graduate school? I say that doing undergraduate work in philosophy and graduate work in psychology would be a great, well-rounded education.

As far as jobs for people with philosophy degrees, a lot of businesses hire people with liberal arts degrees. In fact, I recently read this article about the value of an education in the humanities. If you don't study what you love, you might regret it. Unless you have clearly defined career goal in mind, study what interests you, and worry about the job later.

 

[BigApplePi]

I suppose philosophy is a difficult major. What do you guys think of research psychology? I really don't like people. I'm very investigative and creative (cerebral).

I see myself as far preferring thinking and ideas over people, but one needs the other. I'm mostly self-taught in any philosophy and psychology I know. For you? Either field. I'd be fascinated by research psychology. I'd want to stick with both philosophy and psychology, but then you are a people and I don't know you, lol. Go for a minor in the one you don't major in. This forum is philosophy and psychology, isn't it?

Afterthought: I don't know how true this is, but don't academic philosophy and psychology refer a great deal to the people behind the ideas? IOW, Watson and James or Russell and Hume said "this and that." History is people and ideas seems to be organized around people. I hope I'm not confusing you too much, lol.

 

[Philosophyking87]

Anyone know anything about research psychology?

 

[Beat Mango]

Anyone know anything about research psychology?

This is where you gotta get in there and do some research, ie, use a bit of the old Si. Call a uni psych school and ask to talk to people who are doing it. Go and check out a lab. Sit in on a lecture or experiment.

When I was doing first year psych, part of our assessment involved volunteering for the experiments of research students. Honestly, some of them were pretty crap, in fact a lot of them were just questionnaires. So my experience was a bit meh.

I've got a couple of friends doing their PhD in psych too (neuroscience). I mentioned to one of them that I wanted to change career and do neuroscience because I wanted to think freely and just investigate without the burden of procedure, red tape, etc. But she told me you get that in research psych too - that you hardly just sit there theorising.

You mentioned how you dislike people, well I know that she does a lot of interacting with fellow students, and has to liaise/swoon with other academics when they have their seminars and what not. I went with her to some luncheon with other researchers and it wasn't exactly INTP heaven - they were just normal people talking about normal things (I know, ugh). So you'll never get completely away from the people side of things, no matter what you do.

Quite honestly, even though research psychology wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, I think you'd be better off doing Computer Science or Maths. People are less normal there and more cerebral (in a good way). I may actually go back to uni and study those.

 

[Philosophyking87]

Thanks for the info, mango.

 

[Zensunni]

Any field that requires critical thinking. Having a major in something still means you have a degree in the liberal arts. That is just as valid as any other BA.

The worst critical thinkers are communications degrees. The best are polisci, philosophy and English.

 

[^_\\]

Basically, a philosophy degree shows that you're smart. A lot like a maths degree, except you can't do maths related things. You will probably get fucked out of jobs by jackasses who think it's all ivory tower bullshit though.

Fyi if I get off my ass and study I'll be doing undergraduate philosophy next year.

Oh and I resent the fact philosophy is considered a liberal arts degree.

edit: found this.

GRE (test of verbal, analytical and quantitative reasoning, not that I know what that entails exactly) by subject.

http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2008/11/chart-of-day-gre-scores-by-academic.html

Philosophy had the top verbal scores. even with low quantitive reasoning (maths) scores, which are probably least relevant to most jobs out of analytical, verbal and quantitative, philosophy students are 9th overall, only behind comp sci, maths, physics, economics, and chemical, material, electrical and mechanical engineering, all of which they trail by a long way in maths.

 

[BigApplePi]

The worst critical thinkers are communications degrees.

Z. Is that because they are in training to get things across, both true and false, but mostly in getting it across regardless? That could necessarily mean pushing a biased view, exaggerating any truth. As infomercials?

 

[digital angel]

I suppose philosophy is a difficult major. What do you guys think of research psychology? I really don't like people. I'm very investigative and creative (cerebral).

I think that sounds great. Have you talked to anyone at your school about research psychology? You could learn more about what they do.

I understand the desire to have interesting work. For me, I like to have interesting conversations with people. If the conversation isn't interesting, then, well...

 

[Philosophyking87]

I think that sounds great. Have you talked to anyone at your school about research psychology? You could learn more about what they do.

I understand the desire to have interesting work. For me, I like to have interesting conversations with people. If the conversation isn't interesting, then, well...

Yeah, I'm looking into it. Research psychology seems very appealing.

 

[digital angel]

Yeah, I'm looking into it. Research psychology seems very appealing.

Cool.

 

[Jackooboy]

I got a degree in Political Science with a concentration in political philosophy and policy... I am going back to school for nursing, planning on getting a doctorate, and may end up getting a JD and concentrating in health policy, law, legal consulting for hospitals etc. in the end. Not sure how it will all work out yet.

Pretty much, liberal arts, it's a fun way to prep you for law school. If you want to be a lawyer go for it, but the days of graduating with a liberal arts degree and being offered a job in any field are over... you actually have to prove yourself beyond academics to get a job in most fields (except teaching in the ghetto, retail, and sales) with a liberals arts degree.

If you're prudent, I would find a field with a certification like education, nursing, etc. or plan on going to law school or some other professional school after your undergrad degree (though I hear the legal market is really overloaded with lawyers right now; job market is not so good)...

What type of earnings would you like to have at the end of the day? That's a question you need to ask and pursue degrees that correspond...
Good luck.