how to do well in a philosophy course

What is the best way to study philosophy in college?

Philosophy is famous for giving people bad grades on their first paper. Philosophy professors (like me) are looking for something different in writing than anything that any writing professor has asked from you in the past. We want you to state an argument clearly, use your language precisely, and then stop.

What do you learn in a philosophy class?

How to Do Well in a College (Philosophy) Class • Take responsibility for all of your duties as a student. • Record all assignment due dates. • Get to work on assignments early. • Seek out help and guidance on assignments from the instructor. • Don't miss class. • Don't skip assignments. • Take good notes.

Is there a companion book to the'introduction to philosophy'course?

Feb 10, 2019 · 4 Ways to Study for a Philosophy Exam Write Practice Essays, Preferably Timed. This is probably the single most valuable exercise you can do. Writing under... Read, Keeping Practice Essays in Mind. Before writing a practice essay, you'll naturally need to prepare by studying the... Think up Your Own ...

What is'philosophy for everyone'?

This course will introduce you to some of the main areas of research in contemporary philosophy. Each module a different philosopher will talk you through some of the most important questions and issues in their area of expertise. We’ll begin by trying to understand what philosophy is – what are its characteristic aims and methods, and how does it differ from other subjects?

Is philosophy course hard?

Readings for philosophy courses are generally not long, but they are difficult and challenging. You cannot expect to go through an assigned reading once and have an adequate grasp of it. Some students seem to thrive on the painstaking study required, while others simply don't have the patience for it.

What makes the study of philosophy so difficult?

Philosophy is Hard Because of Intangibility In our first-person experiences, thought is neither like a chair nor a book; we deal most intimately with something which eludes the senses. That alone can prove a great challenge, for thinking is in many ways synonymous with fighting while blindfolded.Apr 30, 2020

What skills do you need to study philosophy?

When you study philosophy, you develop skills in verbal and written communication, problem solving, clear and disciplined thinking and analysis, along with persuasive argumentation.

What do you expect from a philosophy course?

Students will discuss, think deeply about, read about, and write about questions concerning God's existence, the existence of the soul, the nature of free will, the process of science, the meaning of the law, the nature of language, the existence of art and morality.

How should a beginner study philosophy?

6 tips for teaching yourself philosophyStart from a position of ignorance.Expect to go slowly.Read when you are most alert.Pick whatever interests you the most.Get a philosophical dictionary.Familiarize yourself with the history of Western Thought.Jun 18, 2016

Is philosophy hard to read?

Reading Philosophy is a difficult task, especially coming to uni with little or no background in the subject. Reading lists can look long and daunting, vocabulary can be confusing and it seems to take ages to understand even the smallest part of a chapter.Feb 28, 2017

What do philosophers do for a living?

Most philosophers make their livings as college professors (see Professor), but there aren't many full-time teaching positions in philosophy, and philosophers do not have outside employment opportunities the way engineers or economists do.

Do philosophers get paid?

A philosopher salary can range depending on the field they specialize in. Some philosophy careers may pay around $50,000 while others can exceed upwards of $100,000.

What jobs can you get in philosophy?

Careers in PhilosophyLaw. Philosophy is one of the best, if not the best major to prepare you for law school. ... Architecture and Art. ... Teaching. ... Publishing. ... Public Relations. ... Politics and Public Policy. ... Religion and Ministry. ... Business and Management.More items...

Is philosophy a useless degree?

Picking philosophy as a major may not be the best option for many. But for a student who understands and has an interest in the subject, philosophy is not a useless major. In fact, it is a respectable academic subject, allowing you to expand intellectually and choose from a wide range of careers in the job market.Sep 3, 2021

What do philosophers do?

In a modern sense, a philosopher is an intellectual who contributes to one or more branches of philosophy, such as aesthetics, ethics, epistemology, philosophy of science, logic, metaphysics, social theory, philosophy of religion, and political philosophy.

Should I major in philosophy?

Philosophy majors develop valuable career skills, such as reading and understanding complex materials, making logical arguments, explaining ideas clearly in oral and written form, and thinking about things from multiple perspectives.

What does a philosophy teacher care about?

1. Forget What You Already Believe. Good judgment matters in many contexts. It matters when we’re voting, when we’re raising children, and when deciding how to spend our time, etc.

What is the main tool in philosophy?

Logic is the main tool in philosophy. Logic outlines the ways in which claims can and cannot be related. If you’ve ever heard of logical fallacies, then you’re already familiar with some of the ways in which claims cannot be related.

How to explain an argument?

Explanation. If you are going to explain an argument, then you have to understand it — its parts and their relations. For example, you would need to know the key terms, the meanings of the key terms, the premises (claims) of the argument, and how the premises of the argument lead to its conclusion.

Do math problems have a conclusion?

Math problems have a few lines of math stuff which results in a conclusion. The same goes for arguments. There are a couple claims that (should) result in a conclusion. Also, math problems have correct and incorrect conclusions. The same goes for arguments.

Does philosophy matter in class?

The short answer: no. In a philosophy class, it doesn’t really matter what we believe. Academic philosophers care more about whether we should (or should not) believe something. And that comes down to the reasons for believing, not the beliefs themselves. This is where the tools of philosophy become relevant.

How many degrees do philosophy professors have?

The philosophy professor has at least three degrees in higher-level arguing; if the philosophy professor decides to engage with you in an argumentative fashion, you are probably going to lose, especially if you approach the discussion as a win-lose argument. Just don’t do it. This isn’t high school debate team or the United States Congress.

How to get better at dealing with frustration?

You will get frustrated, often, and you’ll get better at dealing with frustration. You will learn patience and humility. You’ll learn not to write anything off without giving it due consideration, you’ll learn to respect those who have come before you no matter how kooky they might look or sound now.

How to prepare for a final?

The mechanical basics of preparing for any final are pretty much the same for all subjects: get a good night's sleep; eat a good breakfast (or lunch) so your brain is fueled; make sure you have a spare pen. Some people also think it helps to sleep with the textbook under your pillow.

What to do after writing a practice essay?

Again, this will help to organize your thinking and should help improve your ability to recall the material during the exam.

Who is Emrys Westacott?

Emrys Westacott is a professor of philosophy at Alfred University. He is the author or co-author of several books, including "Thinking Through Philosophy: An Introduction.". Perhaps you've heard this story: Thirty students are waiting to write a final exam for a philosophy course on the Theory of Knowledge. The professor enters the room, hands out ...

Bioethics: The Law, Medicine, and Ethics of Reproductive Technologies and Genetics

An introduction to the study of bioethics and the application of legal and ethical reasoning.

The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches Us about the Good Life

Why should we care about Confucius? Explore ancient Chinese philosophy, ethics, and political theory to challenge your...

Justice

This introduction to moral and political philosophy is one of the most popular courses taught at Harvard College.

Intro to Philosophy

Where do you start if you want to learn about philosophy but don’t have any background in it at all? In this series of lectures by John Sanders at the Rochester Institute of Technology, all the most fundamental questions you might have about philosophy are answered.

Philosophical Problems

Can machines think? Is it moral to eat meat? These audio lectures are available for free from La Trobe University and can be found on iTunes. The course also includes links to online handouts to help you follow along and find more information on the topics covered in class.

History of Philosophy

For those of you who want less of an introduction into how to do philosophy and more of an introduction to the great ideas of philosophy’s most prominent names, this history of philosophy series is for you.

Introduction to Philosophy

In this class, taught by the somewhat controversial Daniel Bonevac at The University of Texas at Austin, a wide variety of topics are introduced in an easily understood style. There is a syllabus with access to the slides used in the lectures and a few hints on how to read philosophy books at home for maximum understanding.

The History of Ancient Philosophy

Name 10 philosophers off the top of your head.

Indian Philosophy

Most American universities focus primarily on western philosophy in their classes. While this is often an understandable choice, it can leave graduates with a less than thorough understanding of the philosophy of more than half the world.

Nietzsche

Ah, Nietzsche, so famous and yet so misunderstood. While some of his better-known ideas are well explained elsewhere, most people could use a more compressive introduction to his thought when they decide to investigate his ideas.