Do you feel somewhat *superior* after taking Philosophy in school? Why or Why not?

Answer 1

School is not the problem. I've studied philosophy since 1972. I know more than most about some things, little about other things. But seeing people ask questions here that have nothing to do with philosophy, yet are asked as if they are of monumental metaphysical importance, makes me wish I could teach Philosophy 101 to everyone. The world is a sad place for ideas these days, but the book I would teach from is the best primer, the Syntopicon. You read the Syntopicon, then tell me you knew what philosophy was/is. The Syntopicon does not ask you to agree: it presents all the philosophers whose works have survived as "great ideas."
No, I don't feel superior. I feel sad.

Answer 2

I wouldn't say superior but I think after I took my first philosophy class I felt more well rounded. I look at everything as haveing two equally correct answers now. Philosophy is just a way to look outside the box and to see all perspectives. When I have debates with my friends I would have to say I do feel a bit superior because I know how to analyze everything they are saying.

Answer 3

Your question is interesting, there must be a more appropriate word than superior. I feel that the subject of philosophy should add a wider scope or different ideas on ways that you can confront daily situations. To take philosophy would be somewhat a forward and upper move to enhance your knowledge of things.

Answer 4

I just got finished taking my Philosophy final and I do feel more superior in intellect because after taking a class like that you just feel like you have gained a secret knowledge that only a person with a deep passion can develop and comprehend. You just learn more about life.

Answer 5

I studied Philosophy in school, and I have to tell you... it confused the hell out of me. Well, at least one of my classes did. The professor was so "out there."

Do I feel superior? No. Do I feel it was beneficial? Yes. Just as were all the other classes I took.

And for those people who can spit out names and dates and concept names... they don't impress me in the least. What is more impressive, so to speak, is someone's ability to develop their own ideas based on the information they have gained. Some people can do that quite well without ever having been formally trained in Philosophy.

Answer 6

I'm sure a lot of folks who take philosophy feel superior, especially when they tell people what they are reading and they get those mock looks of: 'Wow, that's really difficult stuff'.

They're cut down to size when they debate with people outside philosophy. I know I was.

[edit] I think Trina's point is wider and more optimistic than mine.

Answer 7

NO.
Upon completing my Ph.B., the more I discovered my ignorance. It makes me feel that there many things I do not know.. The cost of knowing is discovering what you know not. Superiority after taking Philosophy is only a DELUSION OF GRANDEUR, and therefore an indication of an illness.

Answer 8

I believe that was one of those required classes in college. I don't think I felt superior. I felt sympathy for the instructor and all the people who believed some of the myths he was passing along to us. It was an interesting class tho, the instructor and I had many "discussions".
I will add that not everything he taught was myth, but there was quite a bit.

Answer 9

It has been said, to achieve greatness, you must first have seen greatness. In that, I feel the study of philosophy and the noted philosophers to date gives one more confidence in ones own opinion.
I have found that those who have the audacity to consider themselves superior, are likely to do so whether they are educated or not.

Answer 10

I've always felt largely superior to others.
After studying philosophy I was able to rationalise such feelings away (see Neitzsche) and now I just consider it feeling normal.