Why Study Philosophy?

 

Philosophy makes a central contribution to the educational enterprise through its demands upon intellectual activity and enhances the following skills:

Accuracy, Critical Thinking, and General Problem Solving Skills: Analysis of concepts, definitions, and problems and synthesis of varied perspectives into a unified whole.

Logic and Analytical Reasoning: Construction and analysis of arguments, ability to draw both deductive and inductive inferences, and ability to think objectively.

Effective Communication Skills: Enhancement of communicative powers and elimination of ambiguity and vagueness from writing and speech.

Persuasive Powers: Construction of clear formulations, good arguments, and appropriate examples.

Ethics and Empathy: Understanding the foundations of ethical principles, resolution of moral dilemmas, development of empathy, and ability to determine the relevant ethical principles that apply in a variety of contexts.

 

                                                           

 

 

Writing Skills: Enhancement of writing skills, in terms of syntax, clarity, proper argumentation, and organization.

Understanding Other Disciplines: Understanding of other disciplines and of the relation of philosophy to foundational issues in other fields.

Development of Sound Methods of Research and Analysis: Ability to frame hypotheses, to do research, and organize problems in manageable form.

 

For more information on philosophy in general, see the American Philosophical Association's Philosophy: A Brief Guide for Undergraduates and The Philosophy Major at www.apaonline.org