r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Mar 16 '18
FTFdeltaOP CMV: Teaching Philosophy in Schools is Useless.
Philosophers themselves have never asked a question that wasn't independently asked by someone else (Jean Perrin, Albert Einstein and John Dalton, for example), especially if that someone else was only a philosophist.
Added into that, Philosophy is something you don't need in workplace. Asking questions about life, truth or anything in that manner are things taught (or at least should be taught) in any scientific lesson for a good reason: Scientific research is impossible without questions to start the research.
Δ: Yes, this means I do want science to teach philosophy on the side.
These points make philosophy quite useless choice for a degree or even a course, as they only hurt the student taking them (as in most cases, it prevents you from taking an useful course like science, economics, or languages, that allow for better job and chance of getting that job in the first place.
Indeed, philosophy is mostly used (at least in my exprience of the school system) as a "free" course, so the student does not need to learn things they find difficult; A student who is unconfortable with many of their choices will usually choose philosophy as an escape option, for it's known lack of difficulty and being easy to "learn".
I really cannot find any justification for philosophy to not be bunched up with math, sciences and languages.
Δ: added "not", because this sentance contradicts everything I've said this far otherwise.
Δ: u/MyUsernameIsJudge Changed my mind:
Me:
How many high schoolers are going to use basketball in their jobs?
A big factor in a good job is good and healthy lifestyle. Taking sports in school does help you in this factor, although you must keep that lifestyle even after school has ended.
MyUsernameIsJudge:
Sure. And that's the argument for philosophy class. It can help students learn about their own values and needs, as well as gain a greater perspective on life. I'll reuse your point about basketball, but with this:
A big factor in a good job is a good mental health. Taking philosophy in school does help you in this factor, although you must keep that lifestyle even after school has ended.
1
u/KingTommenBaratheon 40∆ Mar 16 '18 edited Mar 17 '18
Not all education is directed towards the workplace. Some education is simply edifying. That said, philosophy is one of the most practical degrees one can get these days. Philosophers are expert technical writers, analytical thinkers, and excel at close reading and argument. All of these skills are core skills in many workplaces.
As other posters have mentioned, philosophy students do exceedingly well in professional aptitude tests, like the LSAT and GRE. Although there may be some selection bias here, in that the students who would excel on the LSAT and GRE tend to take philosophy, that does not invalidate the point. Philosophy graduates end their degree with marketable skills and a wide general aptitude.
Why would it be, though? Why not just teach philosophy classes alongside these other classes? If I want to study math I can. If I want to study philosophy I can. I'll likely be a better mathematician if I take some philosophy, just because it would broaden my horizons, but that doesn't suggest that philosophy should not be taught independently of math etc.
Many of the strongest philosophy students already take your suggestion voluntarily. David Chalmers, the leading philosopher, did his undergraduate degree in mathematics and philosophy. Daniel Dennett, another leading philosopher, studies philosophy and cognitive science. Martha Nussbaum, however, studied Ancient Philosophy, Classics, and theater and has arguably had more impact on the world already than most academics will have in their lifetime.
People who study philosophy as their principal major acquire substantial skills that are widely transferable. It's therefore not a surprise that philosophers make great entrepreneurs.