Why I Chose to Study Philosophy

When I started my first semester of philosophy, the students asked eachother; why did you chose philosophy? Most of us did not really have a good answer exept that it is interesting and fun. Few of us had any illutions about making philosophy into a career path as it is very few positions in society that needs philosophic knowledge. Philosophy is basically something you do because you can. It is a priviledge to not pursue a career that is making you useful in society, and instead study something as useless as philosophy. Most people think philosophy is impractical, unnecessary and of little use to anything. This is actually what makes me love philosophy. There are no set rules about what philosophy is. It is the only field where you can be free to think about all the deep questions in life and challenge what it means to be human in a world driven by profit and efficiancy.

What did I gain from my first year as a philosophy student?

First of all I must mention all the interesting and challenging conversations with fellow students. Never before have I been in a situation with so many intelligent and open minded young people. Everyone has thought about the deep questions in life and are not afraid to talk about challenging topics. What is the meaning of life? Is there a god? What is conciousness? What is right and wrong? All these topics that you usually have to know people intimately before you can talk about, is something openly discussed in the university hallways.

I also believe I have become a lot more intelligent just from this one year! I have learned to think logically and discern good arguments from bad ones. I have learned about different moral views and the ideas of all the greatest thinkers. I'm exited about all metaphysical problems and the different theories about what conciousness is. I'm learning to understand the different philosophical positions and how to express my own ideas. I also learn how to read and write in a professional and precise way.

What are my plans for the future?

To be honest I dont really have any plans, I'm just enjoing my time of learning and growth, appreciating every second of it. I might never use my philosophic skills in any work I do in the future. But it is still worth it, and I am willing to sacrifice a great career for personal growth and doing something I love. If I'm lucky I might get a PhD position in philosophy. I'm getting top grades in all my classes so it is possible, but the competition is fierce so it is not something I can count on.

Maybe there are new ways to be a philosopher?

With the rise of internet, bitcoin, decentralization and social platforms like steemit the philosophic arena might actually start to move away from academia and over to the internet. As academia becomes too slow, too traditional and not really creating content for anyone exept specially interested, the opportunities for self publishing and writing articles that will reach the masses, makes it possible to be a philosopher and writer in a whole new way. Now you are rewarded for creating good content on steemit, which means direct feedback and great opportunities to develop your ideas. Now we have the possibility to make it as philosophers of the internet and the future!