<p>Engineers aren’t set in stone to be “engineers”… many go into business</p>
<p>MBA + Engineering degree = do whatever you want / employer gold</p>
<p>Engineers don’t need to write creatively… i mean… why the hell does my boss care if i can use methaphors in my email about our quarterly yield. </p>
<p>Technical writing is fine</p>
<p>I didn’t say creatively. antipacifists assertion was engineers can do anything a humanities or social science major could do. He’s wrong. Engineers are generally poor writers. His response was then “all I’m claiming is that Engineers can do anything that is math science related.” Which offensively obvious.</p>
<p>I’m sorry it’s “offensively” obvious (what does that mean?), but I think it’s basically true. And obviously I didn’t mean they can do anything a humanities/social science major does (it’s my impression that social science majors often take, for example, sociological statistics) but many things that they end up doing - journalist, marketing, PR, advertising, etc., can be done by anyone with the patience to learn on the job. And again, I don’t see any factual evidence backing up your generalization about most engineers being poor writers.</p>
<p>I’m really sorry that someone on this forum can’t ask for an understanding of a major he is considering without being thrown into this endless fight between STEM and the Humanities. This place is as polarized as American politics these days, except nothing argued about on here actually matters.</p>
<p>^
I agree. </p>
<p>I am one person that would like for someone to offer some insight on the actual topic of the thread. I’m thinking about a major in philosophy, too. It’s just something I’m interested in and think I’ll enjoy studying for undergrad. </p>
<p>If you want to be or prefer a STEM major or any other major that’s not phil, that’s fine and everything but it’s totally irrelevant to this thread. I’m sure that there is another thread on CC where you can talk about your opinions on STEM vs liberal arts/humanities. </p>
<p>If there are any philosophy majors or anyone familiar with phil on here, what are some texts that you would recommend a person read to get a feel of the typical philosophy reading?</p>
<p>
It is NOT irrelevant. All I’m saying is that STEM is the way to go if you want to get reasoning, logical and quantitative skills. Your options are very limited as a phil major and you’re better off majoring in a STEM major.</p>
<p>Reasoning, logic, and formulating quantative theorems are all products of philosophy. Only a knucklehead completely ignorant of the history of education and the scientific method would claim otherwise. </p>
<p>@If there are any philosophy majors or anyone familiar with phil on here, what are some texts that you would recommend a person read to get a feel of the typical philosophy reading?</p>
<p>Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</p>
<p>You should check out Bertrand Russell’s History of Western Philosophy to get started. Check out some of the classics too, like Aristotle and Plato. </p>
<p>I have a minor in philosophy. Philosophy classes are really fun to attend because of all the great class discussions that involve the students and the professor. The reading for philosophy is very dense and difficult to comprehend. You might have to read it a few times to grasp what the author is really saying. You usually write papers as opposed to taking multiple choice exams, but they are usually fun papers to write because you get to make an argument.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t recommend Russell’s book - it’s unbalanced, highly selective, and its analyses of some philosophers (i.e. philosophers Russell didn’t like) are shallow and reductive. Better to start with Anthony Kenny’s recently published “A New History of Western Philosophy” for a more accurate introduction to the subject.</p>
<p>But yes, Greek philosophy is where you should really start, especially Plato. A new edition of his complete works recently came out; it’s around 2000 pages but completely worth it if you’re interested in this stuff. You could also read some Nietzsche as he’s not nearly as dense as someone like Kant or Hegel. Plus he’s all rebellious and **** so his books are great for the typical young person.</p>
<p>Do you guys think it would be expected of incoming freshman to be really familiar with all of the names and ideas of these philosophers? I’ve read some Nietzsche, Plato, and maybe a little bit of Foucault, but I am by no means very learned in philosophical history or anything. Could one go into it being clueless and still do well?</p>
<p>Yes.10char</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Because I want to study philosophy, obviously.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I am perfectly capable of studying graphic design on my own during my free time.</p>
<p>Why are you STEM people always so hostile and preachy? You’re worse than the Jehovah’s Witnesses. At least they go away when one is clearly not interested.</p>
<p>They’re not being hostile they’re saving you from yourself by showing you that philosophy is impractical. SO SHUT UP IDIOT.</p>
<p>hahahahaha</p>
<p>I am definitely not apart of the STEM vs. Humanities arguement but I think a major in art/graphic design and a minor in Philosophy seems more practical…I have nothing against philosophy and if you really want to study it than go for it!</p>
<p>Firstly, I am not a fan of my school’s art program (there is maybe one class offered in digital). Secondly, I chose graphic design because it is a career I felt I could get off the ground in college that would make me feel more secure pursuing my chosen major, not because art is my primary interest. Finally, I think it is time to point out that I did not come to this thread asking for advice.</p>
<p>If you do computer programming or something like that your school might have an entreprenuership (i butchered that) program that can help get you loans and junk to get off the ground.</p>
<p>I know Michigan has one but I am not sure if it is just engineers and business majors. I mean, I’d have a hard time giving a loan to a Philosophy major that wanted a graphic design business.</p>
<p>Why not? It was a few philosophy majors and graphic design marketers interested in money and technology that seduced a entire generation on the whole Semantic Web 2.0, social media and the Iphone.</p>
<p>Idk, just doesn’t see like a good investment to me. But i guess if you really showed you knew what you were talking about and had some plans already then I would loan money out.</p>
<p>Why would you be giving a loan to anyone?</p>