Finding a proper school

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Laozytzu
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Joined: August 6th, 2017, 5:06 pm

Finding a proper school

Post by Laozytzu »

Hello everyone!

If this sounds vague, it's only because of my lack of experience in the educated world. I'm 27 now and have decided I'm ready to pursue a formal education.

I love philosophy, it's absolutely my desired choice for education and my dream is to pursue it's study to the fullest extent I can for its own sake. I would love a career in the field someday, but the knowledge itself is what I'm after.

I'm not after a political argument, but given the "for profit" nature of the schools in the USA, I am worried about receiving an education based on career placement rather than intellectual pursuit.

My questions are:

What schools should I consider to advance my goal?
Are there any to avoid?
What steps would someone experienced in the matter recommend?
Are there authorities on the matter I can consult?
Is this a reasonable goal?

Any other advice is most appreciated. I realize I haven't indicated a particular field of study, but I'm just looking for general ideas.

Many thanks.
Fooloso4
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Joined: February 28th, 2014, 4:50 pm

Re: Finding a proper school

Post by Fooloso4 »

Welcome Laozytzu.

Depending on how you respond to the following I may be able to give you more specific recommendations.

A few things you might consider:

Location
Size - large schools tend to have large lecture hall classes, especially at the introductory level. A small liberal arts college is morel likely to be discussion based classes.
Approach - are you interested in a close reading of primary texts, historical overview, or specific areas such metaphysics, cognitive science, ethics?
Other interests academic and extracurricular

Checking out schools:

Look at their online catalogues. They have become primarily marketing tools but you can still get some sense of the school from them. Go to their department listings and see how big the philosophy department is and what their emphasis is. Some will have links to faculty members. Use the links or search the faculty to find their interests and publications.

On academic philosophy:

You may find that what is being taught at the school of your choice is not really what drew you to philosophy. You may find that you prefer a less rigorous approach. You may find that academic philosophy is not what you expected. So, when considering schools look at more than just the philosophy department.

On a career:

By the time you complete your studies things may be different but the prospects for jobs in philosophy is dismal. Each year more and more Ph.D’s are pursuing fewer and fewer jobs. Many schools are heavily reliant on adjuncts, aka academic migrant workers. If you have some other source of income or can accept living in poverty (this in not hyperbole) then this may be an option.
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Laozytzu
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Re: Finding a proper school

Post by Laozytzu »

Thanks for replying Fooloso4

I would prefer a smaller campus, I enjoy interaction and close student/teacher relations.I'm aware that's not always possible though.

As for my interest, metaphysics, ethics, theology of the east and west, history, esthetics. I would enjoy a good deal of artistic trades like painting, music, theater because I believe they compliment philosophy. I love existentialism and idealism as they are fun to read and think about. It would probably be accurate to say I'm more in the way of a continental philosophy student as opposed to analytical. I don't mind a rigorous education, so long as it teaches well.

I've seen some of those catalogues, but was weary of them being marketing tools like you said, but a few stood out to me that I'm already in the process of visiting.

As for a career, I have no real goal for making money. I've been poor my whole life, but philosophy has shown me the true merit in that way of life, and I won't be too upset if I remain that way. That being said I would enjoy helping people in some way, if I can, by using philosophy. Teaching, counseling, writing, Politics, wherever it leads me.
Woodart
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Joined: March 3rd, 2017, 1:49 pm

Re: Finding a proper school

Post by Woodart »

Laozytzu wrote:Thanks for replying Fooloso4

I would prefer a smaller campus, I enjoy interaction and close student/teacher relations.I'm aware that's not always possible though.

As for my interest, metaphysics, ethics, theology of the east and west, history, esthetics. I would enjoy a good deal of artistic trades like painting, music, theater because I believe they compliment philosophy. I love existentialism and idealism as they are fun to read and think about. It would probably be accurate to say I'm more in the way of a continental philosophy student as opposed to analytical. I don't mind a rigorous education, so long as it teaches well.

I've seen some of those catalogues, but was weary of them being marketing tools like you said, but a few stood out to me that I'm already in the process of visiting.

As for a career, I have no real goal for making money. I've been poor my whole life, but philosophy has shown me the true merit in that way of life, and I won't be too upset if I remain that way. That being said I would enjoy helping people in some way, if I can, by using philosophy. Teaching, counseling, writing, Politics, wherever it leads me.
My advice is to be practical. No matter what you choose to be - be practical first. You must make a living - unless you become a monk or hermit - which does not seem your predilection.
Fooloso4
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Joined: February 28th, 2014, 4:50 pm

Re: Finding a proper school

Post by Fooloso4 »

What schools are you considering?

There are advantages and disadvantages to schools that have just an undergraduate program.

The catalogues will tell you what courses are required for a major as well as the scope of course offerings, although the actual courses that are offered may differ.

Get ahold of course syllabi to see what books are used and what is covered. If you visit make sure to sit in on a few classes, talk to some professors and some students in the program.

Don’t pay attention to ratings. They are not going to tell you whether the school will be good fit for you. Name recognition is largely meaningless. A long list of publications is not an indication of teaching ability.

Let us know how the search is going and your impression of the schools.
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Laozytzu
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Re: Finding a proper school

Post by Laozytzu »

Thank you all. I will update this post in the future with what progress I've made.

Haha! I actually have considered the monk or hermit life, i spent two years traveling without a dime to my name to see if I could handle it, but was probably too naive at the time to take in the true worth of the experience.

I'm less practical than I'd like to admit, though I have a good wife who drills it into me daily, and one of my goals in this endeavor is to attain that practicality to some degree.
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LuckyR
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Re: Finding a proper school

Post by LuckyR »

Are you going to use the degree, or are you solely after information acquisition?
"As usual... it depends."
Steve3007
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Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm

Re: Finding a proper school

Post by Steve3007 »

Regarding the lack of career opportunities in philosophy:

I don't know about the USA, but in the UK a very popular combination of subjects to study at University is P.P.E. - Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Loads of people who are now successful politicians seem to have studied at. I gather that politicians aren't generally very popular, but I guess we can still call it a career.

So there's a thought.

---

By the way, the idea that studying philosophy is of no practical or vocational use is so ingrained that it's often been used satirically in comedy. I particularly like the part in the Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy where a race of super-intelligent aliens who build the computer to find the Ultimate Answer to Life the Universe and Everything are so advanced that, in their society there is an "amalgamated union of philosophers, sages, luminaries and other professional think persons.". Perhaps the idea of philosopher as blue-collar worker, chipping away at the coal face of knowledge, would be distorted realisation of Plato's "philosopher ruler"?

Discuss?
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