Why aren't more people doing philosophy?!

[mel_77777]

I think philosophy is a really inspiring subject to take. Sure there is a lot of reading, but its all interesting, i cant understand why there is only a small proportion of people undertaking philosophy!

Why aren't there more people doing philosophy?

[Ghost!]

No idea to be perfectly honest! It's my favourite subject by a long shot and really gives you something to think about in every day life.

[Menang]

AGREED!

Philosophy is the full package:
(a) After one term of philosophy I started thinking differently - questioning assumptions, challenging my own personal beliefs, clarifying my personal stances etc. To logically clarify arguments and views feels amazing.
(b) The content is fascinating! From Nietzsche to Armstrong to Kuhn, every philosopher we study (yes, even Weil) contributes an amazing insight on how things could/should/do work.
(c) The teachers, afaik, are always passionate, if not highly competent.
(d) It's sufficiently challenging to require and motivate study without being impossible.

It's actually the perfect VCE subject. I'm in love with it. A blend of interesting content, great teachers, real-life application and intellectual challenge.

*end rant*

[EvangelionZeta]

There aren't enough people who are qualified to teach it I'd imagine.  That, or the fact that it'd actually be a very difficult course to teach...

Have to agree with everything said so far though.  For me, Kant (from 1/2), Nietzsche and Iris Murdoch (who is now off the course arggghhh!!) were VERY life changing.  More people should study this subject!

[taiga]

One could also ask, why are people doing philosophy?


ooo philosophical

[Menang]

[krith]

Agreed, it's an AWESOME subject but I know a LOT of schools don't offer it..

[slothpomba]

Well, i think a lot of people are in VCE just to get the score out of it to be honest. Not many would choose something like philosophy. So, theres that factor for starters. Most people have a somewhat distorted view of what philosophy actually entails as well so that might discourage people.

As far as i can tell, as said above, it isn't offered at most schools and to be honest i think with possibly good reason. Some schools may struggle to cobble together one class let alone employ a philosophy teacher full time.

[Ghost!]

Well, i think a lot of people are in VCE just to get the score out of it to be honest. Not many would choose something like philosophy. So, theres that factor for starters. Most people have a somewhat distorted view of what philosophy actually entails as well so that might discourage people.

As far as i can tell, as said above, it isn't offered at most schools and to be honest i think with possibly good reason. Some schools may struggle to cobble together one class let alone employ a philosophy teacher full time.

Most Philosophy teachers also teach English, so finding the teachers couldn't be that difficult.

[Lasercookie]

Most Philosophy teachers also teach English, so finding the teachers couldn't be that difficult.

That doesn't mean that most English teachers teach philosophy though.

[Ghost!]

Most Philosophy teachers also teach English, so finding the teachers couldn't be that difficult.

That doesn't mean that most English teachers teach philosophy though.

... obviously. What it does mean is that hiring them can work in both factions, as they can teach English as well as Philosophy

[Lasercookie]

Most Philosophy teachers also teach English, so finding the teachers couldn't be that difficult.

That doesn't mean that most English teachers teach philosophy though.

... obviously. What it does mean is that hiring them can work in both factions, as they can teach English as well as Philosophy

Yes, but I don't understand how that would make finding the teachers any easier.

From what I understand, it would mean that once they hire the philosophy teacher, they would be more useful to the school.

[jinny1]

I really wanted to do Philosophy but my school didn't offer it

[Aurelian]

That doesn't mean that most English teachers teach philosophy though.

Or that they should. Most English teachers make pretty bad Philosophy teachers, just putting it out there lol

[paulsterio]

It's like saying many Physics teachers also teach Maths, but the opposite isn't true, most Maths teachers in fact do not teach Physics - hence it would be wise to employ a Physics teacher - as they can do two things (Maths + Physics), but they're harder to find than Maths teachers

Relating this to the argument, Philosophy teachers are more versatile - so they are preferable - but it's still irrelevant to the fact that they are hard to find