Coffee talk gets philosophical with Cafe Philo
By: Deena Watts
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: Culture
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Though Schiller makes a point that philosophy plays a great part in this world, the number of philosophy majors hasn't been the highest in the university's history. The philosophy department currently has 17 philosophy majors listed and in 2002 there were 10. Schiller defends this major, saying that there are some high society graduates of Webster with degrees in philosophy, including the campaign coordinator for PETA and a former mayor of Webster Groves.
"Like other humanities, philosophy is especially useful because it can teach you how to think verbally and problem-solve," Hilditch said. "It helps you to think inside multiple conceptual boxes, to deconstruct those boxes, and to think outside of them creating new boxes."
Hilditch said that the skills that come from philosophy have proven to be the skills that companies hope their applicants possess.
"It's a documented fact that employers rate problem-solving abilities as one of the chief competencies they're looking for," Hilditch said. "Philosophy is also a good preparation for future professional studies, including law, medicine and business/management. People are often surprised to find out that numerous CEOs have backgrounds in philosophy, but it's true."
Webster graduate Kristin Borgan decided to get into philosophy after finding out that writers of her favorite TV show, "Northern Exposure," hold degrees in philosophy. Borgan was recently invited to the Hastings Center for Bioethics in Garrison, N.Y. There she will study and discuss topics concerning women and their bodies. Borgan feels that making the decision to major in philosophy was above reproach.
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I strongly agree with Socrates who claimed that, 'The unexamined life is not worth living,'" Borgan said. "That statement really sums it up. What good is it to wander through life and not bother to explore important questions that are basic to human beings? Overall, philosophy teaches you how to assess your life, your interaction with the world and all its parts and give meaning to your experience."
Hilditch plans to hold the next Café Philo at the end of October. For more information on Café Philo, e-mail professor David Hilditch at hilditch@webster.edu.
"Like other humanities, philosophy is especially useful because it can teach you how to think verbally and problem-solve," Hilditch said. "It helps you to think inside multiple conceptual boxes, to deconstruct those boxes, and to think outside of them creating new boxes."
Hilditch said that the skills that come from philosophy have proven to be the skills that companies hope their applicants possess.
"It's a documented fact that employers rate problem-solving abilities as one of the chief competencies they're looking for," Hilditch said. "Philosophy is also a good preparation for future professional studies, including law, medicine and business/management. People are often surprised to find out that numerous CEOs have backgrounds in philosophy, but it's true."
Webster graduate Kristin Borgan decided to get into philosophy after finding out that writers of her favorite TV show, "Northern Exposure," hold degrees in philosophy. Borgan was recently invited to the Hastings Center for Bioethics in Garrison, N.Y. There she will study and discuss topics concerning women and their bodies. Borgan feels that making the decision to major in philosophy was above reproach.
"
I strongly agree with Socrates who claimed that, 'The unexamined life is not worth living,'" Borgan said. "That statement really sums it up. What good is it to wander through life and not bother to explore important questions that are basic to human beings? Overall, philosophy teaches you how to assess your life, your interaction with the world and all its parts and give meaning to your experience."
Hilditch plans to hold the next Café Philo at the end of October. For more information on Café Philo, e-mail professor David Hilditch at hilditch@webster.edu.
