<p>What's the biggest difference? </p>
<p>I'm considering in majoring in one of the two</p>
<p>Just to note, at many schools you can actually major in "Philosophy and Religious Studies," not just both seperately.</p>
<p>Philosophy - The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs; Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods; A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry; A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory; The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.</p>
<p>Essentially, religious studies CAN be philosophical in nature and philosophical studies CAN be religious in nature. There is a line drawn, however, and philosophical studies tend to be (obviously) more secular in nature, and more a discussion of religion without the 'religion' aspect there, if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>I agree with the above post. Religious studies is the study of religions, or generally, comparative religions, whereas philosophy is the study of philosophy, which was well defined above.</p>
<p>This question is funny, really, not because it is a "dumb question" or anything like that, but because philosophy evolved from religion to form modern knowledge in everything from the sciences and social sciences to the humanities. Everything BUT religion, really. One gets a PhD (doctorate of Philosophy), not religion. </p>
<p>Anyway, you'll quickly realize which area is for you after a few classes in each discipline.</p>
<p>Just thought I'd give credit where credit is deserved: The definition I gave was comprised of various ones I found on dictionary.com</p>
<p>What kind of career would correspond to a religious studies major?</p>
<p>Well, many priests and religios figures major in religious studies. Also, the huge collection of "regular jobs" that most people with B.A.'s get in the "real world." One could go to law school, becoming a lawyer, judge, ect down that road, or perhaps graduate school, becoming a professor. One could become a teacher, writer, . . . <a href="http://0-collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu.luna.wellesley.edu/pdfs/religious.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://0-collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu.luna.wellesley.edu/pdfs/religious.pdf</a> talks more about some aspects of the subject. I can't find anything really good on the web, sorry.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Philosophy - The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs; Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods; A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry; A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory; The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This definition should be discarded; it is only an explanation - and an insufficient one - of analytic philosophy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wellesley.edu/Philosophy/History.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.wellesley.edu/Philosophy/History.html</a> this site can give you some insight on philosophy, but again, taking a class or two can give you the most. Or reading classic texts in the disciplines.</p>
<p>Thanks for all ya responses</p>
<p>That's so funny--because I will probably be applying to Wellesley ED. I checked out Wellesley's website and read course descriptions. Both departments seem interesting. I'll just have to make a decision after actually taking classes. </p>
<p>I am interested in Law School after undergrad, should either major be fine for law? Religion actually seems heavily immersed into biblical studies and the study of Jesus himself (if you choose to study this path). This is intriguing for me but I don't see how this will put me in par with Political Science majors. Although I can see the argument that ANY major prepares one for analytical thinking and logic...did I just answer my own question?</p>
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I am interested in Law School after undergrad, should either major be fine for law? Religion actually seems heavily immersed into biblical studies and the study of Jesus himself (if you choose to study this path).
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<p>In terms of what will help you for LSAT/Law, analytic philosophy will be most beneficial; however, you should focus in what interests you.</p>
<p>I agree with nspeds. As to wellesley, it is supposed to be great for undergrad, relatively easy to get into relative to comporable quality schools, and great in philosophy. I don't know anything about their religious studies. if you take the path or religious studies and want some great lsat/law help, take some logic classes, and take high level phil writing classes, even if you don't end up in either subject. I've heard that some law schools are sick of poli sci applicants, but i don't know, really. I'm sure you'll do well either way.</p>
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[quote]
and take high level phil writing classes, even if you don't end up in either subject. I've heard that some law schools are sick of poli sci applicants, but i don't know, really. I'm sure you'll do well either way.
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<p>Except for introductory and mathematical logic courses, any philosophy course will assign plenty of writing; rote memorization and other study tactics for exams are not encouraged, and most upper-level courses assign take-home exams for the sake of encouraging answers that are the result of pensiveness.</p>
<p>The reading is abstruse; many claim that philosophy students are assigned a lot of reading, but that creates a distortion. I would not say that philosophy students are quantitatively assigned a lot of reading, but would argue that philosophy students are assigned recondite material. I remember spending three hours on a ten page excerpt (it was Heidegger, no less).</p>
<p>As nspeds shows, philosophy majors tend to use awesome diction to for more accurate statements, and that just sounds sweet (very lawyer like). I'm a sucker for some great (but not esoteric for the sake of being such or just plain un understandable) diction.</p>