Most students are familiar with what it is that
they will study in courses such as English,
history, math, etc. But what is philosophy?
Unfortunately, philosophy is not included in the
high school curriculum, and so the student is
often uniformed about what goes on in a
philosophy classroom. In addition, many have
picked up the misconception that philosophy is
not useful or practical … What can I use it for
later on?
But, in reality, philosophy is the mother of all
sciences and disciplines. It is one of the most
important subjects a student can take. Not
taking a course in philosophy deprives you of an
important part of your intellectual heritage.
In a philosophy class you will:
learn
to think and reason more clearly about
yourself and the world around you and be
able to wade through complicated arguments
and distinguish the valid from the invalid.
The ability to use logic and intelligence
instead of emotion and hearsay will be of
incomparable value to you in the future.
grapple
with such fundamental questions as these:
Does God exists? What difference does it
make? Does life have a meaning? Do human
beings have free will? What is justice and
what is the difference between right and
wrong? Are morality and government
incompatible?
expand
your horizons and look beyond the here and
now to the world as it might be or as it
ought to be. This mental exercise will
greatly enrich your understanding of what
the world today is like.
become
familiar with a significant portion of the
world’s literature and learn how the ideas
of great philosophers have influenced
artists, musicians, statesmen, scientists,
and teachers.
The study of philosophy will help you lead a
more fulfilled and satisfying life – something
of no minor importance at a period in history in
which we are all uncertain about the future of
man and the universe in which he lives.
Philosophy is a way of living and dying.
Philosophy is an examination of life.
