9 Responses to “What does it take to become a philosopher?”
Bailey Millward Said:
Being a philosopher is nothing more than being a serious thinker. Now being a recognized philosopher is something else. It is being a serious thinker that many respect and find to be in the right track… However, as a career path, being a philosopher is more like being a writer. You can either teach or write.
There is a very limited commercial field for those… Most philosophers were thinkers that had careers in other fields or had financial means at the beginning. Few significant exceptions existed.
Eg. Clergy Men, Lords, Diplomats, Mathematicians, Psychologists, Poets and Politicians have been influential philosophers… Some had their other careers overshadow their philosophy or vise verse!
Hector Sedgwick Said:
A good career path?! Ha!
When I was still studying me and my friends, all of whom were Philosophy majors like me, were watching the Simpsons. The newsguy made the following introduction to his report “It used to be that the unemployment line was a line reserved for philosophy majors.”
We all were silent for a second before we burst out laughing.
But what does it take to become a philosopher? Just wander- that lust for knowledge. Where knowledge does not have to be useful to be important.
Alonzo Richardson Said:
Education, especially higher education, is a good thing. You will not only learn philosophy you will learn how to write coherently, the basics of science and math. Some of the teachings you will study are those of Descartes, Plato and Socrates who are all good men. I got my degree in Religion which is close to philosophy, in that many of the teachings of the two overlap, so go ahead and good luck. College is basically the experience of meeting people. If you approach it with that in mind, you will find a very human quality to your education.
Dean Salt Said:
First you need to forget everything that you have been told about everything.
After you do that the rest is easy.
Love and blessings Don
Tori Cartlidge Said:
A friend has had an interesting professional life, from diplomacy to education, to factory and hotel management. He has done the jobs well, until he got bored and found something different.
His advice to any who asked him: “Study Philosophy, like I did. You will be able to do anything that interests you.”
Chance Willmott Said:
Short answer: plenty of leisure, an open but trained mind, and the company of intellectuals or their books.
The Ancient Greeks believed that philosphy was the highest end in life; which is to say that one’s final goal is perfect understanding. They rather despised monetary ambitions. So, by hoping to make a profitable living through philosophy, you have just created your first paradox. Congratulations!
Kierra Morton Said:
It takes education in Philosophy. At LEAST a Masters.
NOT a good career choice.
Kaelyn Belcher Said:
Enough wisdom to understand that total wisdom is unattainable.
Being a philosopher is nothing more than being a serious thinker. Now being a recognized philosopher is something else. It is being a serious thinker that many respect and find to be in the right track… However, as a career path, being a philosopher is more like being a writer. You can either teach or write.
There is a very limited commercial field for those… Most philosophers were thinkers that had careers in other fields or had financial means at the beginning. Few significant exceptions existed.
Eg. Clergy Men, Lords, Diplomats, Mathematicians, Psychologists, Poets and Politicians have been influential philosophers… Some had their other careers overshadow their philosophy or vise verse!
A good career path?! Ha!
When I was still studying me and my friends, all of whom were Philosophy majors like me, were watching the Simpsons. The newsguy made the following introduction to his report “It used to be that the unemployment line was a line reserved for philosophy majors.”
We all were silent for a second before we burst out laughing.
But what does it take to become a philosopher? Just wander- that lust for knowledge. Where knowledge does not have to be useful to be important.
Education, especially higher education, is a good thing. You will not only learn philosophy you will learn how to write coherently, the basics of science and math. Some of the teachings you will study are those of Descartes, Plato and Socrates who are all good men. I got my degree in Religion which is close to philosophy, in that many of the teachings of the two overlap, so go ahead and good luck. College is basically the experience of meeting people. If you approach it with that in mind, you will find a very human quality to your education.
First you need to forget everything that you have been told about everything.
After you do that the rest is easy.
Love and blessings Don
A friend has had an interesting professional life, from diplomacy to education, to factory and hotel management. He has done the jobs well, until he got bored and found something different.
His advice to any who asked him: “Study Philosophy, like I did. You will be able to do anything that interests you.”
Short answer: plenty of leisure, an open but trained mind, and the company of intellectuals or their books.
The Ancient Greeks believed that philosphy was the highest end in life; which is to say that one’s final goal is perfect understanding. They rather despised monetary ambitions. So, by hoping to make a profitable living through philosophy, you have just created your first paradox. Congratulations!
It takes education in Philosophy. At LEAST a Masters.
NOT a good career choice.
Enough wisdom to understand that total wisdom is unattainable.
keep asking and answering questions on this site.