Philosophy is the search for reasoned answers to certain fundamental questions about the nature of the universe and the place of humans in it, questions that science seems unable to answer. To do philosophy is to construct and evaluate the best arguments for and against the various possible answers to these questions. The Bachelor of Arts is broader in scope than the Bachelor of Science, and is the better choice for most students. The practical value of studying philosophy lies in the intellectual training it provides. Successful study of philosophy requires, and helps develop, several valuable intellectual abilities: to grasp the big picture as well as fine details; to think, speak, and write about abstract conceptual questions; to identify the key assumptions of arguments; to make relevant distinctions; and to assess the pros and cons of proposed solutions. These abilities are highly prized in a wide variety of careers, and philosophy majors go on to successful careers in many fields, including law, medicine, and business.

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