How Do I Become a Philosopher?
There are some who say that philosophers are born, not made, but here at wiseGEEK, we disagree. There are a number of ways in which someone can become a philosopher. The path someone takes to this interesting career can vary depending on the individual and how one intends to apply philosophy. It should be noted that making a living as a philosopher can be very challenging as the demand for philosophers is usually relatively low, although people who are willing to branch out into fields like ethics may find more potential avenues of employment.
One way to become a philosopher is to go to school. Many colleges and universities have philosophy programs. People who pursue this route usually obtain a doctorate degree in philosophy. Along the way, they read large numbers of philosophical texts to get an understanding of the history of philosophy, different schools of philosophy, and current thought in the field. One advantage to going to school is that it allows students to work directly with notable academic philosophers.
With a graduate degree in philosophy, it is not uncommon to enter philosophy programs as a professor. Philosophers sometimes consider themselves eternal students, and even in a tenured position, a philosopher is constantly looking for new things to learn and experience. Someone who has chosen to become a philosopher in academia should also be prepared to publish regularly, as publications are usually required to maintain an academic career.
Someone may also opt to study philosophy independently to become a philosopher. Some caution is advised here, as philosophy requires the development of critical thinking skills and the ability to engage with highly varied arguments. People who study on their own should make sure that they have opportunities to connect with other people for discussions and debates. One might join a debate club, a bulletin board dedicated to philosophy topics, or use other avenues to communicate with others. Much of philosophy is the result of exchanges between great thinkers.
Other philosophers have found that the path to become a philosopher is accidental. Some people simply start thinking and writing and develop into philosophers over time. Philosophers bring new insights to questions and ideas, and one does not necessarily need to have a formal or even self-guided education to do this. However, people who develop naturally without reading a great deal of theory may find that they are stigmatized by other people in the field who believe that extensive study is required to be viewed as an authority.
Written by S.E. Smith
