Why do you learn philosophy?

With its demands on academic engagement, philosophy contributes significantly to the educational
enterprise. Education in philosophy entails being acquainted with significant figures and trends in
philosophy's history, mastering current methods and agreed responses to philosophical questions, and
developing critical, interpretive, and evaluative abilities that, in the grand scheme of things, might be
considered the most valuable.

Graduates in James Madison University's philosophy program are supposed to have mastered difficult
texts containing sophisticated metaphysical arguments. This readings are often very varied in terms of
methodology and substance. Additionally, philosophy students' assignments include a range of written
work, and it is required that these assignments be properly composed and thoughtfully answered.
Finally, philosophical education and theory need educated debate. This verbal exchange is supposed to
occur on a regular basis during the course.

Many of what is taught in philosophy is transferable to almost every undertaking. This is because
philosophy encompasses a wide range of subjects and, most importantly, because many of its
approaches are applicable to every area.

The analysis of philosophy enables us to improve our problem-solving abilities, our communication
abilities, our convincing abilities, and our writing abilities. The following section describes how theory
aids in the development of these different critical skills.