Why Philosophy

A recent article in the New York Times describes the Philosophy major's recent growth in popularity:  In a New Generation of College Students, Many Opt for the Life Examined.

Philosophy: A Brief Guide for Undergraduates from the American Philosophical Association gives an introduction to standard courses in an undergraduate philosophy curriculum, and a discussion of the applications of undergraduate philosophical training to careers in law, business, publishing, sales, criminal justice, public relations, and other fields. A brief excerptfrom this guide explains why an undergraduate major in philosophy is by no means solely for those who want to go to graduate school in philosophy:

It should also be emphasized here that—as recent studies show—employers want, and reward, many of the capacities which the study of philosophy develops: for instance, the ability to solve problems, to communicate, to organize ideas and issues, to assess pros and cons, and to boil down complex data. These capacities represent  transferable skills. They are transferable not only from philosophy to non-philosophy areas, but from one non-philosophical field to another. For that reason, people trained in philosophy are not only prepared to do many kinds of tasks; they can also cope with change, or even move into new careers, more readily than others.

In 2015, the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) produced a survey report finding that employers endorse broad learning as essential to long-term career success. 

• Nearly all employers (91 percent) agree that for career success, “a candidate’s demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than his or her undergraduate major.”
• When hiring recent graduates, employers place the greatest priority on a demonstrated proficiency in skills and knowledge that cut across majors. Of 17 outcome areas tested, written and oral communication, teamwork skills, ethical decision making, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings are the most highly valued by employers.
• Confirming findings from four previous national surveys extending back to 2006, employers overwhelmingly endorse broad learning and cross-cutting skills as the best preparation for long-term career success. 

At CPP, the Philosophy Department's programs focus on development of all of these high-level cognitive skills. In short, these programs aim to deliver precisely what employers want, according to the AAC&U's survey.

It seems to me that philosophers have acquired skills which are very valuable to a member of Congress. The ability to analyze a problem carefully and consider it from many points of view is one. Another is the ability to communicate ideas clearly in a logically compelling form. A third is the ability to handle the many different kinds of problems which occupy the congressional agenda at any time.

- Lee H. Hamilton, Representative, 9th District, Indiana