The idea of philosophy in the realm of American society is one that carries an image of pretentiousness, questionable usefulness, a jobless future, and a pointless burden for college students during general studies. Philosophy isn’t offended by this perception. In fact, that’s likely the comfort zone for the branch of study, considering its entire waking life has been one long shunning followed by another, continuing through generations of philosophers throughout history. I have found an opportunity to study philosophy at UW-Green Bay as I pursue my degree, majoring in communication. With no previous formal interaction or experience with philosophy (late-night, scatterbrained, curiosity-driven ramblings and rants questioning random things with no discernible rhyme or rhythm to draw a pattern from, accompanied by bright stars, intoxication, and equally cloudy minds is not quite formal), I was a bit skeptical to the idea of pursuing it in any sense at a university. But having made the decision to minor in philosophy about a year ago and take a peek into the oft-dismissed world of thought, I can reflect back and say it was one of the best decisions I could make for myself.

Tangibly, it helped my studies immensely. Before experience in philosophy classes, class readings were optional tasks for school. Scanning readings were easy enough to get by, cramming for the sake of any test was reasonable, and putting off papers to the last minute was a successful endeavor. All of those things are non-applicable to studying philosophy. A 12 page reading can turn into a two and a half venture through the depths of the author’s mind, taking every word under consideration, attempting to track the calculation behind the theory or idea. Criticism, analysis, and questions arise to the top of the mind effortlessly after doing enough readings like this. Reading philosophy requires one’s full attention, the same cannot be said for all academia or literature.

This demanding of extra effort benefits in two ways. First, everything else in school became a breeze! My communication classes (no offense, comm department) came even easier to me after being challenged by philosophy. Providing evidence for any and all claims became muscle memory for the mind, analyzing issues and dilemmas in class were faced with better guided thought, and digging deeper was the preferential thought process for any predicament that I may face as a student.

Yet, I’m a person who likes to focus on the intangibles in life. Ironically, this may have been a mindset that has been pushed even further, thanks to the decision to study philosophy. So, as I reflect on why I am satisfied with the decision to study philosophy, the second way the extra effort benefited my life is intangibly. The same list I provided above as to the different ways philosophy aided me as a student can be equally applied to my life beyond school. Providing evidence for any and all claims became muscle memory for the mind beyond the classroom, analyzing issues and dilemmas in LIFE were faced with better guided thought, and digging deeper was the preferential thought process for any predicament that I may face as a HUMAN BEING.

So yes, there are definitely ways that studying philosophy can tangibly assist a student’s life. It carves out good thinking habits, it may help provide new perspectives when returning to other classes, and it can even improve study habits. But that’s not where the importance of philosophy lies. Philosophy can open the mind to places it hasn’t been. Philosophy can illuminate places that are left dark most often. Philosophy can feed morals and values. Philosophy can enlighten. And becoming a person of multiple perspectives, of enlightenment, and of analyzed morals and values is something that is equally applicable and beneficial to all beings.