Can i become a philosopher

Public policy professionals often work at the government level to analyze and solve problems that affect masses of people. This career also requires the ability to be creative, differentiate between good and bad arguments, writing, and research. Since philosophy majors are very well educated in culture, society, and human interpretation, they make very valuable marketing professionals in areas such as advertising, branding, and sales promotions.

This industry requires a great understanding and following of strict professional ethics which philosophy majors are well trained in.

Their extensive analytical skills are very valuable and beneficial to finance-related occupations. Philosophy majors are commonly found working in health care environments in areas such as hospital policy, administration, communication, or budgeting. As the study of philosophy carries a large emphasis on writing and communication skills, students who major in philosophy commonly work as writers in a field such as journalism. Their skills in investigation and composition are particularly valued in this career field.

A paralegal professional works closely with lawyers doing research and providing support services. The average salary for philosophy degree jobs varies depending on the industry that is pursued. A philosopher salary can range depending on the field they specialize in. As a philosophy major, it is crucial to develop transferable skills. Learning these skills will not only help you grow as a professional, but they will help those around you gain a better and more beneficial understanding.

The transferrable skills are as follows:. The typical day for a philosophy professor includes writing and answering emails, teaching lectures in the classroom, researching, grading, and several other tasks. Philosophy professors also spend a large amount of time preparing for class lectures which they give in front of hundreds of students every week.

They commonly can be found teaching undergraduate courses, as well as graduate seminars that can last anywhere from 50 minutes to three hours. On days when philosophy professors are not in the classroom, they spend a lot of time doing research that involves reading, writing, experimental work, and data analysis. Philosophers spend their lives attempting to answer questions like these. A taste for intellectual debate is a must in this profession. If you enjoy abstractions, you'll probably enjoy being a philosopher, but be warned: It's a tough way to pay the rent.

Most philosophers make their livings as college professors see Professor , but there aren't many full-time teaching positions in philosophy, and philosophers do not have outside employment opportunities the way engineers or economists do. The French government has occasionally employed its own philosophers, once hiring noted philosopher Michel Foucault to serve on a committee to rewrite the French penal code, but the U. For those who do find teaching positions in philosophy, the work is quite similar to that of other professors in the humanities.

Aside from teaching responsibilities, which usually occupy approximately twelve hours per week, one's time is largely one's own. Professors stay busy, however; long hours are the norm, but the work is a pleasure if you enjoy reading and writing about philosophy, and why else would you enter the field? Particularly in the first few years, philosophy involves a lot of writing, as a young philosophy professor's publishing record is an important part of the tenure evaluation.

Once tenured, however, philosophers can probably live the closest approximation of a life of pure contemplation in our society. You can become a philosopher simply by deciding to call yourself one. If thinking about life is practicing philosophy, who's to say that you have to be paid by a university to do it? What do you think? Is philosophy open to all? Let us know in the comments. Be sure to check out our podcast!

If you like what we do, you can support us by buying us a coffee! And comments like this :. If you have any other options in your life that you feel would be personally rewarding or satisfying and they are things you can pursue then it will probably be good for you to pursue those instead of philosophy.

No, seriously. It only gets worse after grad school, in my experience. And even if you DO avoid rejection your paper is accepted to a conference! It gets published! You even write a book! For a representative sample of quotes, I created this list.

My perception is that philosophers regard a career in philosophy much more negatively than how other professionals regard their profession. For more, see our full career profile on philosophy PhDs. Home Blog I want to make a difference. Should I become a philosopher?