Do you care about social issues such as fake news, gender equity, climate change, and the (un)ethical behavior of our business and political leaders? Are you curious about the world and your place in it? Are you interested in developing skills that will help you succeed both personally and professionally? If you answered, “yes,” to any of these questions, you may be a good candidate for a major or minor in philosophy or ethics.
Studying philosophy will uniquely prepare you for leading a good life, including facing the distinctive challenges of the twenty-first-century workplace. It will do so by teaching you to:
Equipped with these skills and competencies, you will be able to choose wisely in a wide variety of environments and circumstances. Moreover, choosing wisely will lead to success in your career, your personal life, and your communal life.
As computers take over the kinds of rote tasks that once dominated U.S. workplaces, you will be equipped to perform the complex thinking tasks that computers still cannot perform, such as those that involve interactions with other humans (whether collaborating, persuading, or selling), or that require solving unexpected problems. Further, as the skills and competencies that you possess will serve you in any career, you will be well situated to cope with the twenty-first-century reality that most people must follow multiple career paths to succeed.
After graduation, Troy Caruana, '14, got involved in the Peace Corps in Benin, West Africa. He now serves as the gender equity and malaria coordinator for Peace Corps Benin.
“My philosophy background has allowed me to bring a unique perspective to our organization and has helped me make our projects more effective,” said Caruana.
“Problem-solving and the ability to think critically and carefully about large, complex issues are among the key skills I developed by studying philosophy at Buffalo State. These skills have helped me to address some of the most pressing development problems facing Benin.”
To philosophy professor Kimberly Blessing, philosophy isn’t grounded only in the wisdom of ancient sages. She sees its relevance everywhere.
She loves to infuse her classrooms with popular cultural references and often uses novels and television shows in her first-year courses as a foray into the subject.
She’s recently authored or co-authored academic articles on topics such as “Cosmic Justice in Breaking Bad: Can Sociopaths and Antiheroes Live Meaningful Lives?,” “The Meaning of Life and Work in Downton Abbey,” and “What HBO’s Girls Has to Say About Meaning in Life for Millennials.”
The philosophy program at Buffalo State provides students with skills and competencies that help them succeed professionally, personally, and communally in the twenty-first century. Our program is small, which allows us to offer students personalized attention, a supportive environment, and expert, student-focused advising.
As a foundational discipline, the study of philosophy complements the study of many different disciplines, including biology, business, communications, computer science, criminal justice, earth sciences, economics, education, English, history, mathematics, psychology, political science, social work, and sociology.
Here are some of the many reasons why Buffalo State’s philosophy program is an excellent choice:
Buffalo State is proud to offer its philosophy students a program that combines academic learning with hands-on experiences. Opportunities open to philosophy students beyond the classroom include:
Philosophy graduates find careers in a wide range of fields, some requiring only a bachelor’s degree while others require a graduate degree. Professional positions for philosophy degree holders include:
