So what are you going to do with a degree in philosophy? Thousands have philosophy majors have had to field this question over the years. The assumption behind it is that philosophy is an impractical subject that attracts ham-fisted dreamers with their head in the clouds. Nothing new there. 2,500 years ago Thales of Miletus, the first Western philosopher, was laughed at by a slave girl for falling down a well while he was contemplating the heavens. And back in ancient Athens, Socrates was ridiculed in Aristophanes' play The Clouds for his philosophical follies.
In fact, though, philosophy offers a superb mental training that equips those who study it with a wide range of knowledge and skills that they can put to use in many fields. Just look at the variety of ways in which these philosophy majors have made their mark.
Burnese human rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize 1991. Lived under house arrest for many years under the military junta in Burma. Currently leader of the National League for Democracy, a progressive political party in Burma. Studied philosophy and economics at Oxford.
FIlmmaker. With his brother Joel he has written and directed many movies including Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou, No Country For Old Men, True Grit, and Inside Llewyn Davies. Majored in philosophy at Princeton.
Comedian, actor, writer and musician. Highly original comedian who became massivley popular in the 1970s. Movies include The Jerk, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, Eyes Wide Shut, Father of the Bride. His 2007 memoir Born Standing Up was a best seller. Studied philosophy at UCLA.
Financier and philanthropist. Listed by Forbes in 2014 as the 27th richest person in the world. Obtained a B.Sc. and a Ph.D. in philosophy at the London School of Economics.
Co-founder of PayPal. Majored in philosophy at Stanford.
Co-founder of LinkedIn. Earned an M.A. in philosophy at Oxford.
Co-founder of Flickr. Graduated with a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Victoria and an M.A. in philosophy from Cambridge.
Composer. Known especially for his "minimalist" style, Glass is probably the best known contemporary American composer. Majored in philosophy and mathematics at the University of Chicago.
Novelist, critic, essayist. Author of Against Interpretation, On Photography, and In America (which won the National Book Award in 2000). One of the most influential culture critics of the late 20th century. Majored in philosophy at Chicago and earned an M.A. in philosophy at Harvard.
In fact, though, philosophy offers a superb mental training that equips those who study it with a wide range of knowledge and skills that they can put to use in many fields. Just look at the variety of ways in which these philosophy majors have made their mark.
1. Aung San Suu Ki
Burnese human rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize 1991. Lived under house arrest for many years under the military junta in Burma. Currently leader of the National League for Democracy, a progressive political party in Burma. Studied philosophy and economics at Oxford.
2. Ethan Coen
FIlmmaker. With his brother Joel he has written and directed many movies including Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou, No Country For Old Men, True Grit, and Inside Llewyn Davies. Majored in philosophy at Princeton.
3. Steve Martin
Comedian, actor, writer and musician. Highly original comedian who became massivley popular in the 1970s. Movies include The Jerk, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, Eyes Wide Shut, Father of the Bride. His 2007 memoir Born Standing Up was a best seller. Studied philosophy at UCLA.
4. George Soros
Financier and philanthropist. Listed by Forbes in 2014 as the 27th richest person in the world. Obtained a B.Sc. and a Ph.D. in philosophy at the London School of Economics.
5. Peter Thiel
Co-founder of PayPal. Majored in philosophy at Stanford.
6. Reid Hoffman
Co-founder of LinkedIn. Earned an M.A. in philosophy at Oxford.
7. Stewart Butterfield
Co-founder of Flickr. Graduated with a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Victoria and an M.A. in philosophy from Cambridge.
8. David Foster Wallace
Writer. Best known for his novel Infinite Jest and for his essays on diverse subjects. Widely regarded as one of the most perceptive and innovative American writers of the last fifty years. Majored in philosophy and English at Amherst College.9. Philip Glass
Composer. Known especially for his "minimalist" style, Glass is probably the best known contemporary American composer. Majored in philosophy and mathematics at the University of Chicago.
10. Susan Sontag
Novelist, critic, essayist. Author of Against Interpretation, On Photography, and In America (which won the National Book Award in 2000). One of the most influential culture critics of the late 20th century. Majored in philosophy at Chicago and earned an M.A. in philosophy at Harvard.
Refutation by counterexample: A simple way to refute bad arguments
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