broad academic subjects like philosophy/politics are a waste of time??

Question

education should prepare young people for work. but some say broad academic subjects like philosophy and politics are a waste of time. to what extent do you agree with this statement?

Answer 1

I don't agree. Politics isn't a waste of time, but people that study it generally are.

Philosophy is probably the only course of study that everyone would benefit from. It helps one deal with basic questions like why one's work matters in the first place. I'd certainly rather hire a philosophy major than a political science major.

I think one of the major problems in our society is that there is a deficiency in the area of philosophy. It is particularly noticed in our politicians, who cannot state a moral principle that they hold, the closest they can come is to state one or two firmly held platform positions, and a few of those more skilled in politics defend those positions adequately. None of them ever seem to even conceive of the question of why this is a moral, just, correct, or wise position. It's just their position, there's no principle behind it at all.

If more people were educated in Philosophy, we might recognize these intellectual lightweights for what they are, and stop electing them, and put them where they belong, behind a fast-food counter.

Answer 2

Hi

I completely disagree with this statement. Philosophy taught me how to think... and helped in many other courses throughout college.

I believe that if one goes to school thinking its vocational training, then they are in school for the wrong reason. I would choose a vocational school in that case.

Good luck!