Does Philosophy Make YOU a Better Thinker? | The Surprising Evidence

Summary

The video explores the value of studying philosophy, emphasizing its impact on critical thinking, leadership, and intellectual growth. It discusses whether philosophy enhances thinking or if it attracts individuals already inclined toward deep reflection. While philosophy majors often excel in critical reasoning, empirical studies offer mixed evidence on whether their education significantly boosts these skills. The video also debunks the myth that philosophy majors face poor employment prospects, highlighting their success across various fields due to their transferable skills, including problem-solving, ethical reasoning, and communication.

Takeaways

• 📚 Philosophy has been a cornerstone of education for thousands of years, shaping influential minds from ancient Greece to modern times.
• 🧠 It's considered more than abstract thought; philosophy is a tool for strengthening leadership and critical decision-making skills.
• 🎓 Despite perceptions, philosophy majors perform well on measures of critical thinking and intellectual habits.
• 🤔 There's debate on whether the boost in better thinking is due to the subject itself or a selection effect of students who are already good thinkers.
• 👨‍🎓 Philosophy graduates are not doomed to unemployment; they find employment in a wide range of fields and are often well-compensated.
• 📊 Research shows mixed results on whether philosophy improves critical thinking, with some studies suggesting benefits but others showing pre-existing traits.
• 📈 Argument mapping, a technique taught in philosophy, may improve critical thinking, although more research is needed for confirmation.
• 👶 Teaching philosophy to children has shown to boost their scores in math, reading, and reasoning abilities.
• 💼 Philosophy majors excel at graduate exams like the GRE and LSAT, giving them an edge for careers in law, business, and academia.
• 🚫 The myth of unemployed philosophers is debunked, with many finding success in various professional fields.
• 🤝 Philosophy promotes a critical and reflective way of thinking, valuable for personal and professional success.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of studying philosophy according to the video?

The main purpose of studying philosophy is to sharpen the mind, strengthen leadership skills, and enhance critical decision-making abilities.

How does philosophy contribute to critical thinking?

Philosophy teaches students to work through complex problems logically, cultivating critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and intellectual humility.

Does studying philosophy improve critical thinking skills?

Research suggests a mixed picture. While philosophy majors tend to perform well on tests like LSAT and GMAT, the improvement might result from a selection effect where students already predisposed to critical thinking choose to study philosophy.

What role did philosophy play in ancient Greece?

In ancient Greece, philosophy was used to tackle profound questions about truth and justice, training students to think critically and engage in moral reasoning.

What is argument mapping, and how does it help in critical thinking?

Argument mapping is a technique that involves visually diagramming arguments to enhance critical thinking by improving the structure and clarity of reasoning.

How does philosophy impact employment prospects?

Contrary to common belief, philosophy majors are employed in a wide range of fields, including business, technology, and education, and are often well compensated.

Why do philosophy majors succeed in various careers?

Philosophy majors succeed because they develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, ethical reasoning, and the ability to communicate complex ideas.

What is the relationship between philosophy and leadership?

Philosophy has historically been linked to leadership, particularly during the Carolingian Renaissance, where it was seen as essential for developing critical thinkers and effective leaders.

What challenges are there in measuring the impact of philosophy on critical thinking?

One challenge is determining whether improvements in critical thinking are due to philosophy itself or the selection of students who already possess these skills. Additionally, self-reported data can be subjective and difficult to validate.

How does philosophy help students in professional exams like the LSAT or GMAT?

Philosophy majors tend to excel in exams like the LSAT or GMAT due to their training in analytical reasoning and argumentation, which gives them an edge in fields like law and business.