Why College Students Should Study Philosophy

¶ … Philosophy Throughout history, philosophers have been alternatively lauded, vilified or ignored altogether depending on the exigencies of the day. While the significance of philosophy was clear to the ancient Greeks, its value may seem less relevant in the 21st century, particularly to young adults who have grown up with technology that provides instantaneous answers to important questions rather than requiring deep analytical thinking about what is real and what is not.

To determine the facts, this paper reviews the relevant literature to explain the real value of philosophy today, followed by a discussion concerning whether philosophy is an important part of the college education, or is it just a lot of useless arguing. In addition, an analysis concerning whether philosophy opposes or reinforces common sense is followed by an assessment concerning whether philosophers can be deemed experts on anything.

Finally, a discussion concerning the extent to which philosophy plays a role in the broader culture is followed by a summary of the research and important findings about the significance of philosophy today in the conclusion. The Value of Philosophy Some authorities argue that philosophy is no longer relevant in a modern world and has only limited value for certain purposes. For instance, Marino maintains that, "We do not need philosophy to underwrite our views of justice, knowledge, or almost anything else.

If it is good for anything, it is for the rather marginal purpose of squaring apparently inconsistent theories" (12). Likewise, Cahn points out that there is growing skepticism in the value of philosophy in an increasingly pragmatic world where science holds the answers to humankind's big questions. In this regard, Cahn points out that, "Many men, under the influence of science or of practical affairs, are inclined to doubt whether philosophy is anything better than innocent but useless trifling, hair-splitting distinctions, and controversies on matters concerning which knowledge is impossible" (418).

The dictionary definition of philosophy, though, suggests that it is more relevant today than ever before. Derived from the Greek philosophia ("love of knowledge"), philosophy simply means the "pursuit of wisdom [through] systematic investigation" (Word origin and history for philosophy 4). Indeed, Cahn suggests that those who question of value of philosophy today are misguided concerning its true significance.

For instance, Cahn notes that, "This view of philosophy appears to result, partly from a wrong conception of the ends of life, partly from a wrong conception of the kind of goods which philosophy strives to achieve" (418). When the purpose and goal of philosophical inquiry is understood, it is reasonable to suggest that most people would agree that it remains valuable today, even as part of a college education as discussed below.

The Relevance of Philosophy as Part of a College Education The very manner in which people in the West think and understand the world around them is based on the philosophical tenets established by the ancient Greek philosophers, so studying these origins represents a timely and valuable addition to any college education. In fact, even when classroom discussion degenerate into outright shouting matches between students with opposing views, these exchanges serve as a catalyst to insightful reflection and the clarification of people really think.

In many cases, people may not even know what they really think about something until they articulate their thoughts in these types of exchanges, and even science majors (perhaps especially science majors) can benefit from this type of discourse since it can results in questioning the common sense that most people possess as discussed below.

The Relationship between Philosophy and Common Sense There is a clear relationship between philosophy and common sense, and the extent to which its goal and purpose of philosophy are understood will likely be the extent to which it results in the questioning of common sense approaches to merely surviving the human condition.

For instance, according to the definition provided by Black's Law Dictionary, "common sense" means "sound practical judgment; that degree of intelligence and reason, as exercised upon the relations of persons and things and the ordinary affairs of life, which is possessed by the generality of mankind" (276). In some cases, though, meaningful philosophical inquiry can oppose even long-held and mainstream common sense.

In fact, Cahn believes that this is the true value of philosophy: "The man who has no tincture of philosophy goes through life imprisoned in the prejudices derived from common sense, from the habitual beliefs of his age or his nation, and from convictions which have grown up in his mind without the co-operation or consent of his deliberate reason" (419). Lacking other information, common sense told people in the Middle Ages that the world was flat and that the sun orbited the earth.

Although it was the scientific method that disproved this type of common sense, it was philosophical inquiry into the true nature of the universe that resulted in this interest in the first place. Therefore, although philosophy can reinforce common sense when supported by evidence, the real value of philosophy is derived from its ability to oppose common sense to create innovation and original thought.

In this regard, Cahn concludes that, "Philosophy, though unable to tell us with certainty what is the true answer to the doubts which it raises, is able to suggest many possibilities which enlarge our thoughts and free them from the tyranny of custom" (419). Given these desirable outcomes, the question turns to whether philosophers are experts on anything and this question is answered below. Are philosophers experts on anything? Paradoxically, philosophers are only able to become experts on anything by abandoning their profession.

For example, Cahn points out that, "If you ask a mathematician, a mineralogist, a historian, or any other man of learning, what definite body of truths has been ascertained by his science, his answer will last as long as you are willing to listen" (419). By very sharp contrast, because philosophical inquiry does not produce the same types of outcomes as scientific inquiry, philosophers would be the first to concede that they lack this same type of expertise.

In this regard, Cahn adds that, "If you put the same question to a philosopher, he will, if he is candid, have to confess that his study has not achieved positive results such as have been achieved by other sciences" (419). Certainly, this does not mean that philosophers cannot know a great deal, but it does mean that when philosophical inquiry produces definite knowledge, the process loses its philosophical qualities.

As Cahn emphasizes, "It is true that this is partly accounted for by the fact that, as soon as definite knowledge concerning any subject becomes possible, this subject ceases to be called philosophy, and becomes a separate science" (419). Given that philosophers cannot be experts on anything, the question arises whether philosophy plays any role in the broader culture in which it is practiced, and this question is answered below.

Does philosophy play any role in the broader culture? The degree to which philosophy plays any role in the broader culture relates to the contributions it makes to improving the human condition in a hostile world. Being intangible products of the mind, these contributions are less discernible that the contributions made by physical science, for example, where inventions of all types have improved life for most people even if they are totally unaware of the scientific processes that were involved (Cahn 419).

As Cahn points out, though, philosophy cannot make this same type of claim for contributing to the human condition. In this regard, Cahn emphasizes, "Utility does not belong to philosophy. If the study of.