Where Will A Degree In Philosophy Take You In The Future?

The world is governed by many principles that are not scientific. Our mind produces these principles that try to answer the fundamental questions of life concerning, for example, the source of knowledge and the purpose of reason. Philosophy is just the name for this. It gives us a ground to know, question, and analyze what exists, how, and why. From the very existence of humankind to our behavioural patterns, philosophy has tried to find answers.
Since ancient times, many people have tried to answer these questions. We call them philosophers. From Socrates to Michael Sandel, philosophers have encouraged others to take up philosophy and embark on their journey of knowledge and realization. Thus, being such an ancient discipline, it has remained inseparable from the arts and humanities.
Yet, the question is whether it has any future in the contemporary world. The answer is yes. No matter how scientific our temperament may become, some questions can only be answered in philosophy. So, there shall always be avenues to use your knowledge somewhere. What are those avenues? Read below to find out about five career options for those with a degree in philosophy.

1. Legal Professional
   Law is one area where philosophy is very much needed. There is a proper subject called Jurisprudence, which essentially studies philosophy of law. However, philosophical knowledge and analytical skills are not restricted to Jurisprudence. Philosophy is essential in handling the facts of the cases and applying precedents. Constitutional philosophy, for example, must be understood deeply to practice law, teach in academia, or write judgments. Everything there is in law has some other connection with philosophy. So, it does not matter whether you are a lawyer, judge, in-house counsel, or teacher; philosophy will be ever-pervasive in your life.

2. Writer
   Of course, you can be a writer and offer the world insight into your thoughts and reasoning. You can analyze existing theories or write a new one yourself. There is no limit to what and how much you can write. That being said, writing anything requires in-depth knowledge, corroboration, and interactiveness. Just because you have a degree in philosophy does not mean you can write well. You will have to work on your writing skills as well.

3. Academia
   How about you give back what academia has given you? Pursue advanced degree courses in Philosophy. A doctoral degree will be the cherry on the top of the cake regarding academia. There are many takers of professors of Philosophy, and these professors are compensated very handsomely. Yes, I agree that it takes longer to settle in academia, but once you are well-established, you will have so many avenues to use your knowledge. Universities such as Harvard and Oxford are traditionally very famous for their courses in Philosophy, and getting a chance to teach there will be an opportunity of a lifetime.

4. Business
   You might think that there is no necessary connection between business and philosophy. But think about it for a moment. How do you run a successful business? Is having capital and a blueprint enough? No. You will have to prepare a strategy, think from a broader perspective, have strong analytical skills, possess the ability to embrace differing viewpoints, and know the right questions. All of these things are learned in a Philosophy course. Of course, there is more to business than these, but they are as important as any other considerations. You can use your degree in Philosophy to make wise entrepreneurial decisions,

5. Human Resources
   What do you see in a Human Resources Manager? That he must recruit only those who will add value to the company. This means he should be able to exercise judgment carefully. Your degree in philosophy will help you understand people, analyze their behavioural patterns and assess their conversations in a reasoned manner. Since philosophy is about understanding the motivations behind actions, you will be able to assess the candidates very thoroughly. Moreover, beyond the recruitment process, you will take the well-being of the employees as a top priority since philosophy develops a strong inclination towards ethics.

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