Kaivokz
Arcane
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2015
- Messages
- 1,509
You have a lot to say about money, so it might surprise you that among 4 year degree holders in the US, those who have Philosophy degrees are one of the highest earning demographics. But, that wasn’t really my point; my point is that the glorification of STEM and science and the vilification of philosophy and history (I mean all history: history of science, of quantum mechanics, of the theory of evolution, and yes of civilizations and people, etc.) is directly linked to the vacuity of the growing “intellectual” class.
I absolutely agree that taking a $100k loan to get a degree that might pay it off in 50 years is a terrible idea, regardless of the benefit the education provides—but this is true of doctors who will need 50 years to pay off their loans, and it would be true if it cost $200k to become a welder or if welders earned minimum wage; it has nothing to do with the intellectual or social benefit of the subject and all to do with the economy.
I guarantee you that many software developers would benefit from a few in-depth courses in logic; Aristotle with his square of opposition could teach them to be better programmers… and he’s ~2,500 years behind! A degree in history doesn’t correspond as directly with a benefit and I agree with Bester that for most people history should be supplemental to whatever their main field is. That said, I don’t think historians are useless (particularly those who go to primary sources and work more as detectives than propaganda regurgitators), but obviously if all you can do with a degree in History is work at Starbucks, then you’ve done something wrong (probably: listened to some liar talking about being whatever you want to be).
Anyway, I’m responding mostly to your hostility to the humanities when, apparently, if you stick that history major in some goggles and have them look through a microscope or other “sciency” tool, they’re valuable—even if, in practice, it takes no more critical thinking or ingenuity or talent than being a barrister. They just get paid more—and let’s be honest: do you really think Bezos and Schmuckerberg are the pinnacle of the human form? They’re the embodiment of a flourishing man?
As an aside, I have degrees in both philosophy and software development. Almost everything I learned in the latter I could have taught myself, and probably faster, but the piece of paper opens doors. From philosophy, I had a couple brilliant professors (old white men, before they all got banned) whose insight went “beyond the text” and really helped me appreciate truth, reason and argument when I was 18-19; I’m deeply indebted to them for opening my eyes to the wealth and beauty of human knowledge. Unfortunately I’m keenly aware that most good teachers are being forced out of western universities and all that’s soon to be left are propaganda mouth pieces.
