Whats the point in degrees in sociology/philosophy?

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jedpea

Im not entirely sure what philosophy is and your not entirly sure what enginering or maths is. How can philosophy be defined as real word thinking. Do you actually learn anything or do you just leanr the benefits of learning, how to learn and why to learn?

How can philosophy be defined as real world thinking?

To what extent should we be at liberty to do what we want, and why?
Should animals be regarded as having rights?
Is the preservation of ecosystems important only because they matter to us, or are there perhaps deeper reasons?
Does the scientific study of human nature imply that we are incapable of free will or genuine morality?

^^^^all philosophical questions regarding 'real life'.

Reply 41

JemimaA

The economics you're studying wouldn't exist without prior philosophical thought.

You're actively engaging in a philosophical debate right now.

In my opinion philosophy is the fundamental act of thinking and application of thought; a skill and practice that is a valuable asset which is applicable to practically any human endeavour. If you see it as purely asking worthless questions then you should have a deeper look at the subject, you might even enjoy it.

Reply 42

AlexMith

jedpea

I was wondering what the point in doing degrees that have no real application in the real world. I understand that some people maybe intrested/good at these subjects but is there any point in the gouverment paying towards people doing these degrees and is not a waste of 3+ years. Sociology and philosophy were just the first degrees I could think of but I beleive there are lots of other pointless degrees out there.

Who's the gouverment? and why is he paying?

Reply 43

d123

jedpea

Im studying economics and maths to make me an attractive candidate when I attempt to become employed in a fund managment fund. I will then attempt to grow peoples savings. What do you intend to do?

I know you didn't quote me, but I'll answer anyway.

Jobs in banking and finance gain very little respect from me.

At the moment, I'm considering careers in social work, maybe working with refugees, possibly teaching though I've gone off that idea lately.

Which is more use to society? My plan or yours?

Reply 44

kultist

I've heard one or two economists (brad delong possibly, probably wrong) espouse the idea that sociology has a ton of techniques that would be very useful for economic research, far more so than the 'find as much maths as possible and make everything into a forumula' approach currently taken.

Reply 45

caroline147

1. **** off.

2. Employers don't seem to agree with you; my chosen degree has better grad prospects than yours, according to The Times. & a pure philosophy degree would have even higher grad prospects.

3. Sociology and philosophy are nothing alike. The fact that you've put them into the same bracket shows you're in no position to judge them.

4. Every single other subject relies on philosophy. But, of course, you're too prejudiced to comprehend how that could possibly be.

5. **** off.

Reply 46

PurpleMonkeyDishwasher

jedpea

It's easy to tell the people who start these threads have never been to university. People who have no experience of studying at degree level always seem to assume you are given indepth information in a particular subject area by tutors for you to regurgitate when it comes to exam time, much like at A level. What these people don't realise is that (if you go to a traditional university anyway) your learning experience goes far beyond whatever subject you choose to specialise in. Through studying, you acquire problem-solving and researching, inductive and deductive skills that can be applied to vast amounts of practical situations in the real world. You acquire the ability to deal with different situations, in an academic context, and draw your own conclusions or generalisations based on what you have discovered. Once you've done your own effective research, you have contributed to society, whether it be in an arts or science-based field.

You have no basis on which to claim Sociology or Philosophy degrees pointless.

Reply 47

Reflexive

caroline147

3. Sociology and philosophy are nothing alike. The fact that you've put them into the same bracket shows you're in no position to judge them.

I would disagree with that. All social sciences involve systems of thought to some extent. It's why if you do carry through a huge range of subjects to the doctorate level you are awarded a doctorate of philosophy

Reply 48

caroline147

Reflexive

The systems of thought in philosophy are, in my opinion, far more closely related to physics and maths than subjects like sociology and politics.

But, yes, I suppose they are alike in that they are both social sciences. & that logic also means that sociology and philosophy are equally comparable to economics, which I'm sure the OP would strongly disagree with :p:

Reply 49

Howard

jedpea

Im hopping to study economics and mathmatics at wariwck(firm) or bristol (insurance)

Economics?

Pft! Well, what good is that?

I've never met two economists that can agree on anything for more than 5 minutes. I cannot begin to count the amount of pisspoor economic predictions/opinions I have read over the last couple of years. I might just as well read chicken entrails as listen to what these people think they know about the economy.

Stop wasting taxpayers money. Buy a book on astrology instead.

Reply 50

Howard

kultist

That's true. Look at the work of social economists for example.

Reply 51

jedpea

hypocriticaljap

A maths graduate actually but stupidly un thought out garbage like yours is humiliating to have to read.
When you are an old man/woman and you can or can't have access to free care the decision will have been determined by political philosophy.

well done what do you do now?
You clearly have a problem of getting on peoples nerves and making a prat out of yourself. How is it humiliating to read what i have written your trying to make your self sound clever but all your making no sense.
I would argue that it would be decided by an economic cost benefit anylasis.

Reply 52

Reflexive

Howard

That's true. Look at the work of social economists for example.

Yes I think it is often levied at economists that the subject lacks theory. I wonder how economists themselves respond to this.

Reply 53

jedpea

Howard

I agree economics is a fairly "soft" science and it is very difficult to gleam the fact from the opinion. However i feel that economics is the most business orientated degree that has any creditability. I would have considerd taking business studies as a degree but it is considerd to be abit mickey mouse.

Reply 54

Accalia

jedpea

True but being able to debate better isnt a vaild use of 3 years in my opinion.

It could definitely be applied to, say, politics, where debating is a key skill.

Reply 55

Reflexive

caroline147

The systems of thought in philosophy are, in my opinion, far more closely related to physics and maths than subjects like sociology and politics.

Interesting. I've never studied philosophy explicitly - could you elaborate?

Reply 56

Howard

Reflexive

Yes I think it is often levied at economists that the subject lacks theory. I wonder how economists themselves respond to this.

I've enjoyed reading Freakanomics and the follow up - SuperFreakanomics. They provide some very nice examples of the blurred lines between sociology and economics. Real page-turners.

Reply 57

Reflexive

Howard

I've enjoyed reading Freakanomics and the follow up - SuperFreakanomics. They provide some very nice examples of the blurred lines between sociology and economics. Real page-turners.

I read the first but was put off the second after reading some bad reviews.

On a slightly different tip have you read bad science? A very good read!

Reply 58

Sam o0o

People say that Philosophy, History, English and all the rest are useless because you'll never use any of the stuff anyway. Do you realise that 99% of the content in a Law degree will never be used either? And yet does that make doing Law a waste of time...no.

Someone with a degree in an arts subject has developed numerous skills that will benefit them in life, and in their career. Just ask the leaders of all the main political parties for a start.