Studying philosophy is not necessarily as confusing and abstract as it is made out to be. It is essential for students because it teaches us how to think critically, live intentionally and navigate the complexities of modern life. 

I have found that among the student body, philosophy is often misunderstood or not understood at all. Philosophy, at its core, is all about asking the biggest questions about existence, knowledge, morality and mind through the method of questioning and argumentation.

“The unexamined life is not worth living,” said Socrates, renowned ancient Greek philosopher. 

He reminds us that we ought to slow down and examine our lives, asking ourselves key questions like: “Why am I studying my major? What career do I want to pursue?” and perhaps most importantly, “What kind of life do I want to live?” 

Not asking questions like these will ultimately lead us to live unfulfilling lives. Studying philosophy will not only aid in answering these questions but also show us how we can apply this same style of analysis to the mysterious world we find ourselves living in. 

Often, when I tell people that I’m a philosophy major, they will give responses like, “What is that again?” or “Isn’t that about that Socrates guy?” 

Even after I explain the definition I offered earlier, I am usually met with further questions paired with puzzled expressions. Socrates was one of many thinkers throughout history who have long questioned and pondered the details of our bizarre existence. 

The concepts of philosophy are seen as abstract and only applied practically in fields like teaching and law. It leaves people wondering about the importance of philosophy in our everyday lives, especially as students. 

“Philosophy gives you opportunities to think with your instructors and professors and with books and philosophers, but non-philosophers should also think about the big questions; in fact, they already do,” said Veena Howard, the Department of Philosophy chair and professor of Asian religions. “I think everybody does philosophy, and is a philosopher.”

Philosophy is not only beneficial in our lives as students, but also essential for living a fulfilling and examined life, something that some students here at Fresno State strive to do.

“I try to live my life in the best way that I can because I have my own situation, and someone else’s could be way worse, so I try to do the best that I can day by day,” said Michael Gutierrez, a media, communications and journalism major at Fresno State.

Our beliefs about the world form the foundation from which all our actions result. Most majors teach us skills for specific fields such as engineering, business and nursing. 

However, philosophy teaches us not only how to think, but also how to understand the “why” behind our actions. Critical thinking is integral to beginning to understand that “why.”

Critical thinking is an essential skill for students to have. Writing essays, analyzing dense texts and discussing ideas in class all depend on one’s ability to think deeply about the content they are engaging with. All of these skills become sharpened upon taking a critical thinking course.

This is easily applied to real-world issues, with topics like ethics, politics and justice being full of slogans and buzzwords that can be easy to get swept up in. Philosophy helps us understand the essential aspects of arguments better and cut through the fog of delusion and surface-level understanding.

Philosophy also helps us understand how to live a good life, whether you want to define what it means to be a good person instilled by Aristotle, be skeptical about morality in general in reference to Nietzsche or perhaps you are simply interested in finding ways to manage stress and cope with life’s many challenges—exams, studying and time management for students like us. In that case, reading Marcus Aurelius or implementing the teachings of the Buddha could be immensely helpful. There is something for everyone.

Philosophy doesn’t just stay inside the classroom, as one student comments on its positive effects in his personal life.

 “I’m winning more arguments with my wife since taking a logic class,” said William Asomugha, a philosophy major with an emphasis in religious studies.

I have also felt the positive effects of studying philosophy in my own life. The critical thinking and logic skills I’ve gained have been invaluable. I used to accept what I was being taught without much further inquiry, but now I have the tools to properly dissect and analyze the content I consume.

Studying philosophy has also allowed me to move past the idea of getting a degree for its own sake, putting me in a position to reflect on the career I want and the type of man I want to become. 

I often wonder what my life would be like if I had never studied philosophy. Where would I be now if I had never thought deeply about the kind of life I want to live, and why I want to live that life? 

Surely it would resemble that unexamined life that Socrates deemed unfit to live. Philosophy isn’t just found in books on dusty shelves, but in the lives of all of us here at Fresno State. 

I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we all strive to live the best life possible, but what does that mean? What does living the best life look like to you, and why? 

“I believe that everyone is trying to live their best life in whatever way they think is best,” Howard said. “I believe this question marks the starting line for a life worth living.”