Why Study Philosophy? On the Benefits of Studying Philosophy External to Philosophy Cover Image

Zašto studirati filozofiju? O izvanfilozofijskim benefitima studija filozofije
Why Study Philosophy? On the Benefits of Studying Philosophy External to Philosophy

Author(s): Matija Mato Škerbić
Subject(s): Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Higher Education , Sociology of Education, Philosophy of Education
Published by: Hrvatsko Filozofsko Društvo
Keywords: study of philosophy; reflection; critical thinking; creative thinking; careful thinking; asking questions; decision-making; problem-solving; ethical reflection; values; human flourishing;

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, the author approaches the question of why one should study philosophy from an affirmative point of view and argues pro philosophia, i.e. he justifies and promotes the possible taking up of the study of philosophy in the present day by considering its extra-philosophical benefits. Thus, the author speaks from a particular perspective, looking at the study of philosophy from an opportunistic and instrumentalised angle. Namely, he does not consider the study as such, its philosophical justification and quality, but looks for its potential in and for today’s world. That is, not for professions such as philosophy teachers or academic philosophers, but actually for almost everyone else. In this sense, the author elaborates ten possible benefits of studying philosophy: (1) Developing critical, logical and reflective, (2) careful and (3) creative thinking; (4) Identifying and formulating (essential) questions; (5) Making quality decisions (‘decision making’); (6) Developing problem-solving skills; (7) Enabling ethical reflection; (8) Identifying life values; (9) Human flourishing and the search for meaning; (10) Preparing for a range of possible professions outside the philosophical professions.

  • Issue Year: 42/2022
  • Issue No: 04/168
  • Page Range: 715-730
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Croatian