I am probably going to get a degree in chemistry or biochemistry (and possibly a minor or MAYBE major in math as well), but I am interested in the philosophy and have heard it can be a useful tool. I'm considering doing a minor in it... I plan to go to graduate school (and/or possibly med school). Is philosophy useful? I've heard that it pairs well with math, computer science, etc. as well.
Useful for what?
No.
a philosophy degree is useless. you can minor in it if it interests you. having pointless minors wont hurt you, but save your major for something worthwhile
A screwdriver is useful for driving screws. A wrench is useful for twisting bolts. A car is useful for travelling.
A screwdriver is useless for turning bolts. A wrench will take you nowhere. And a car is worthless when it comes to driving screws.
The question is impossible to answer until you tell us what you are interested in getting out of your education.
If you want to go to graduate school in philosophy, a philosophy major is perfect.
If you want to go to medical school and you do well in the four sciences, a philosophy major is totally acceptable, and maybe even sets you apart from other applicants. Especially if you show some familiarity with medical ethics.
If you want to go to graduate school in the sciences, a minor is probably helpful as it will show that you know how to write and communicate in addition to being able to do science.
In my opinion students get too hung up on majors and minors. You should elaborate an entire course of study that has a point and a purpose. Then, in your future interviews, whether with grad schools, med schools, or employers, you need to be able to articulate how all of those courses add up to the set of skills that the folks who are evaluating you are looking for.
It isn't useful for anything, including grad school.
It doesn't hurt you for grad school, but a philosophy major won't set you apart from anyone either.
It all depends on what you do with it.
kickin it in el azizia wrote:
It isn't useful for anything, including grad school.
It doesn't hurt you for grad school, but a philosophy major won't set you apart from anyone either.
It will set you apart from the people who don't have a philosophy major.
No major sets you apart, unless you yourself are able to articulate the skills it has given you in a way that potential employers can understand.
Many philosophy majors drift through the discipline without learning anything. But it is also possible to do this in any other major, including math and science and engineering majors. Some pick up very useful skills: like learning how to make a clear argument, learning how do dissect an argument, learning how to frame various ethical issues.
Again, whether these skills are useful or relevant depends upon whether or not the folks who are looking to pay you think these are relevant. In some areas (law, for example, they are very relevant) in others, less so.
You'll make a great Trivia partner some day, but that's about all it'll get ya.
For an intelligent, highly motivated student, an undergraduate education in philosophy can be a terrific choice. Probably one of the best decisions I ever made was to pursue an undergraduate degree in philosophy.
If you try to major in math you have no idea what you are getting yourself into.
Avocado's Number wrote:
For an intelligent, highly motivated student, an undergraduate education in philosophy can be a terrific choice. Probably one of the best decisions I ever made was to pursue an undergraduate degree in philosophy.
+1
I told friends in school I studied philosophy to learn how to think and literature to learn how to write. Philosophy can be as good a starting point as any provided you are bright enough and willing to work once you come out of school to learn a different discipline.
If you plan on doing philosophy professionally, which mainly an academic endeavor, talk to your teachers and get some insight on what it takes. Lots of meetings, politics, fair pay (unless you are exceptional) and a good bit of work. As with most university positions, you need to be passionate about the field if you want to stick with it long term. Some people can get into other fields with PhD's, but, they are typically the exceptionally bright ones. Politics, economics, research, etc are all open fields for people who know how to think critically but also creatively.
In answer to the original question: Yes, certainly. It provides an essential introduction to the history of ideas, as well as the basics of logic, ethics, etc. These are enormously important subjects.