1) it depends on what you want to get out of it. If it's a career path -- if you want to teach Philosophy, it's necessary. Would most people who want to study benefit by going to grad school? Sure. But, it's a big investment. 2) Generally, you don't go straight into a Philosophy Ph.D. program. You do an M.A. in Philosophy, then you go do a Ph.D in Philosophy. At the Masters level, you're doing 2 years of coursework and writing a thesis. Doing a Ph.D. after that is really more of the same
Great video Dr. Sadler. Your line about not having to build your own cathedral because so many beautiful cathedrals already exist gave me chills. I also struggle with always wanting to be the most original and smartest person in the room so that line really struck me and I'm going to make a point of remembering it going forward. Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it -- forgot that line myself (it's been a while since I shot this). I think that emphasizing one's own quest for individuality can keep one from seeing just how much -- and how great stuff -- others have done
I'm 14 and spent so much of my life accidently doing metaphysics and value theory (specifically aesthetics) and to hear that all these thoughts in my head, not only had words for them, but had a community and millions upon millions of books breaking each individual concept, while also writing different perspectives and opinions is exhilarating!! I not only want to learn, but I want to teach!! currently I'm reading fear and trembling by Kierkegaard and it's taking me a week just trying to break down and understand the prelude and what that story might have meant to him. i am so excited to experience the world of philosophy!!
Well, first off, students sometimes think ideas are "original" because the student didn't remember coming across that idea previously, but often those ideas turn out to be just replications of ideas already long out there. Perhaps watch my video about originality. If your prof wants you to write a paper with references, I'd suggest writing on something that you can provide references for. You've got the rest of your life to publish your original contributions to the field
I liked your last point on not getting too narrow with your reading and thinking; it's important to keep expanding and constantly take in opposing views. EDIT: On creativity. It's so much more enjoyable to create and to blend different ideas together; perhaps I'm being arrogant and naive. I just know that combing the world of nutrition and philosophy is what the world needs right now. On the other hand, perhaps it's best to present both originalities within one platform and then that in itself is "enough" to send the right message through - I'm thinking out loud now - thanks for this video Gregory.
Thank you for posting this video, it was really helpful. Philosophy is one of the only degrees that I have really been considering. College, in its nature, just isn't for me. I've always took a heuristic approach to learn, I'm more likely to retain information that way. I'm 17, and I'll be graduating next year. Philosophy is one of the only things that really engages me, besides writing occasionally. I want something to look forward to after highschool. I don't want to spend a decade in school, only to be hit with job barriers. I like the advice you gave though, about doing philosophy on you're own time. I wouldn't'mind doing philosophy in my leisure, but what am I going to do for a career? I'm not a fan of my living situation already, and I couldn't imagine having to hear my mom's mouth for 10+ years, telling me how she put me through school, only to end up unemployed; but she will be pissed regardless of what I do. I was thinking of maybe taking up trade school, and maybe keeping my intellectual aspirations to myself. But I don't want to add fire to the flames, I'm already in a state of despondency, and intense depression. Philosophy has helped me cope somewhat. Any advice? Others career choices?
The Observer Trade schools are actually a great idea. We don't have enough young people going into the skilled trades. They generally pay well, and there's decent benefits. And, many of the trades do require quite a bit of problem solving and intellectual work. Then, on the side, you continue your more academic intellectual development -- not just totally on your own, but making use of the various resources and networks that are out there. That's my two cents
Thomas Harrison I’m currently attending Texas A&M and pursuing a degree in psychology. The existential crisis that I was going through when I originally posted this comment was the catalyst for my interest in psychology. Studying the human mind is now my main passion or telos.
I appreciate Prof. Sadler so much. He encourages philosophy whether towards full career towards a PhD and FT position; or studying because it is one's passion. I got BA in Phil. from Villanova University, later a MLS (for work purposes), and then some graduate courses (Habermas, Hermeneutics, Heidegger & Husserl. Seeing that FT positions were not possible, I did this coursework and then reading and studying on my own. Phil. study groups and circles are sometimes around. Follow youir passion.
A connection that it took me a look time to learn -- there's really two main way to learn humility. One, the better way, is to practice it and thereby come to know it, without being required to. The other is to buck against it, and end up being subjected and humiliated in the course of life -- to experience it through fighting against it -- and then hopefully to eventually understand it as not entirely bad. The second is the path I ended up on
I'm only an amateur when it comes to philosophy and and not a professional like yourself. What you just said makes me feel better. I've always been of the humble opinion that if it takes me my whole life to understand the work of just one philosopher it wouldn't be a wasted life. Good to know that those who get paid to learn/teach it are also humble and grateful for what they do know.
34:21 From here you changed my whole perspective regarding my studies. Since then I am able to finish my papers 'cause before I was so nervous not being original and or might bore my professors. Thank you so much!
Well, if I understand, there's three different issues on the table: 1) the tier / class system in academia, how it works, and what opportunities or limits it tends to produce 2) the uneven, but unpredictable distribution of talent across (and thus not really tied to) the tier system 3) the existence of bias both in terms of school and individual professors Taking classes from Singer certainly couldn't hurt, though, provided one realizes he's kind of an ideologue. He's still a smart guy
Just a note - If you download Audacity (Freeware, no ads, no ties, ect) you can use a function called "Noise Removal", by going through effect, noise removal, highlight a "quiet" part of your audio, where you're not talking but there's still background noise, "get noise profile", highlight the entire script, and then actually remove noise, to get rid of the static. Otherwise, thanks for the content, this is just the sort of thing I was after.
You're welcome -- and it's never too late for philosophy, or academic study in general. I would actually advise against deciding too much too early on -- explore the disciplines offered to you and see what best resonates with you. If that's Philosophy, good -- if something else, also good
Been looking for this one. This was extremely helpful and encouraging. Gotta admit. Going to any world class graduate school, mostly located outside of my country (Philippines, which is in Southeast Asia), seems a lot more daunting nowadays. Once you're outside of it, doing research and actually teaching, collaborating, seems a lot more open and less constrained than the character of graduate school, as you've described it. Been learning philosophy through various channels including yours, and thru Coursera. If I never go to graduate school for philosophy, I'm personally really fine doing social sciences, which has more global reach where I'm at, or teach humanities in high school. Hopefully, after the dust settles on the pandemic, I can possibly get into graduate school so I can do a university job at respectable capacity.
Yes, Wollstonecraft, like Mill, is working in the shadow of Hume, who disparaged humility as a "monkish" pseudo-virtue. But Hume didn't understand it all that well. Well, some of what Anselm wrote on humility is still untranslated -- in his De Similitudinibus or in the Dicta Anselmi. Some is in his various letters. You can find some discussions of his position on humility in my blog, Orexis Dianoetike, where I've translated some of the otherwise untranslated stuff.
You're welcome. Yes, there's another twist as well -- there's lots of conversations. Some of them are very stimulating, enjoyable, welcoming. Others not so much -- so it's important to be able to leave some conversations, if need be
Well, philosophy in many of its forms does lead to conclusions -- but conclusions that are not universally accepted, not least because in some of the cases, it might require a good bit of development before one can understand those conclusions adequately. It's one of the signs of the adequacy of a philosophical system or approach that it can account for why its rival approaches see matters differently, and provide some grounds for why its own approach works better.
My philosophy tutor tells me I am not original enough. Hearing your words have put me at ease. I still strive to be original and novel (and correct!) but I realise this is potentially superfluous. I want to understand the philosophers first, and then make something all of my own when the time comes. Thanks again, Gregory.
Not a bad way to look at it. A good bit of what I do, in my research and writing, is actually something I describe as "philosophical detective work" -- for instance, tracking down all the places Aristotle talks about anger, comparing the stories, so to speak, assembling an account, and so on
My attitude toward learning philosophy (so far) has been that of a detective investigating a crime. You're looking for clues and piecing evidence together, to get some sort of broad idea of why culture is the way it is, and where all the major ideas originated from.
"you can do that too". I did. But I don't think I became as knowledgeable as you are." it is enough to understand what the hell Plato was saying" I never finished trying to understand the "big names". ( not yet) . "getting into these things is like getting into a cathedral". Used to be, may it become so again.
Mark Trumble Well, I'm nowhere near done with trying to understand the "big names" myself -- the portion of those I keep going back to. I'm likely not going to exhaust a single one of them before I die. . . and that's all right
@@GregoryBSadler Do you know if there are universities that offer a dual degree that grants a doctorate in Philosophy and a law degree at the same time?
@@GregoryBSadler Is the work for a doctorate in Pholosiphy any different from a doctorate in a discipline like history, engineering, or applied mathematics?
Thank you for sharing, I got a great deal of information and insight out of this. I can't stop reading philosophy and its a pleasure to hear from those who are passionate as well.
I had the similar experience of being gradually weaned away from some philosophies, and then attracted to others -- and it is a matter that, really, ought to take time. In my observation, one does not suddenly embrace or abandon an entire philosophy as such -- not knowingly, at least -- solely on the basis of one experience, one argument, one anything. It's a cumulative process, where first one suspects, then one starts examining, then starts to say "well, there's something here", and so on
Happy New Year to you and yours as well! You're very welcome -- I'm now, you might say, getting the hang of this video lecture-making business, and I enjoy it quite a bit
I just got my decision letters for undergrad last week, and I’ve been a bit bummed about the results since, but this really helped to pick me up. As it stands, I’ve been accepted into my state school (University of Washington) and waitlisted at some of my dream schools (UChicago, UPenn, and Brown). Knowing now that undergraduate institution is less of a concern for getting hired as a professor is comforting-I feel considerably less screwed-and knowing that if I just work my ass off the next four years, I could be good enough to get past that waitlist threshold for those grad schools gives me a solid boost in motivation and renewed sense of optimism regarding the career I’ve always wanted in academia. Thank you so much!
I hugely agree with your point starting 31:00. If nothing else, learning the full range of viewpoints will make it easier for one to defend the viewpoint one advocates (if that viewpoint is true).
Thank you for this video, definitely helpful. I admit to only watching portions of it, as time permitted for me this afternoon, but I the part that I did see (the last half) was really inspiring, as Xeno mentioned. With a bachelors in psychology, on and off I have considered going to grad school for philosophy instead of pursuing social work or counseling psychology. I appreciate that you emphasized the fact that we can do philosophy and engage with others using technology, regardless of whether we have a degree or not. I think at one point you stated "Nothing is stopping you..." I really liked that sentiment. Thanks again!
I think that's a very good answer. I've had the (somewhat rare, apparently) experience of being actually convinced of a philosophy, though one that assumes it has flaws and requires any follower to find them and move beyond - a process that (given my mental resources) took me a couple of decades. I do agree though that there is great value in grappling with Plato and Kant and the western canon - and religion, science, and eastern philosophy as well. Learning to think is not a bad thing!
I like philosophy, it really opens someone up substantially for working with people. I was an older grad student. It is helping me in my new profession - social work. I've learned a lot from Dr. Sadler. Thanks!
One other point I would like to make ( and this is pertaining to intellectual curiosity) It helps to be smart, no doubt. However, you can really wrench a lot of mileage out of all your iq points if you are willing to work. I am not a genius, and it is work! But worth it. Do you agree, Dr. Sadler?
I really appreciate the personal time and effort you took to make this video for people who wanna become philosophy professors. Some might say It sounds simple ( not easy ) yet people need to hear it from a person who actually went through it and is living it at the moment . Thanks 👍
Well, they were standard college courses, bu taught within the prison -- so they had to be fit into the prison schedule and regime. I'll shoot a video on that in the near future
I'm glad that you said Philosophy is being done in other departments. Especially in what a lot of schools tend to offer in other departments now compared to a philosophy department. It really shows how you have really looked at what Humanities departments offer.
Hi Gregory, I wanted to ask I am finishing up a Ph.D. in Lit focus on 17th and 18th Lit and culture but I am looking at the ways in which Early and Modern Philosophy ainfluences lit in regards to ethical treatments of race. Is it possible that I could apply for Philosophy jobs?
Anwar Uhuru Anybody can apply. Search committees will start by getting rid of most of the applications, so yours would have to give them some compelling reason why not to throw yours out like the others.
Well, it was an entire summer devoted to study of Hegel. I had several advantages, though. I'd taken an excellent course on the Phenomenology with a guy who himself knew it inside and out -- the one who decided I ought to just memorize it for my exam. I'd also led two student reading groups afterwards where we went through the entirety of it. Most important, though -- I loved, and still do love Hegel and his works.
It’s through your videos and these great thinkers that has ignited my passion for this great profession that I am now seriously thinking about getting a PHD in philosophy but not for another couple of years due to work commitments. I have immersed myself into learning as much as I can during this period , I started from the bottom with Bertrand Russel , Plato and Descartes that was three years ago since then I have now moved on to Heidegger , Arthur Schopenhauer and David Hume. Thank you for bring these videos to a wide audience.
CaptainJasa You're very welcome! Yes, you've been commenting on these videos pretty actively, off and on, for quite some time -- since my early ones, I think! Getting a Ph.D. in Philosophy is certainly a worthwhile pursuit -- if you find a program that's well-suited for the kind of study you want to engage in. That's the key, I think
You're welcome! I picked Hegel -- and that was about 15 years ago -- because I very much enjoyed working through his thought, and found I had some facility with it. I still think there's much right in his approach. Where are they? Still merely in potentia at present. I'll shoot a series on Hegel's Phenomenology starting this spring, probably going on through the summer. Not sure when I'd get to the Science Logic
Well, what people generally look at is the last degree that you earned. I wouldn't necessarily go to different Masters and Ph. D programs -- it really depends on whether you're getting what you want out of the program.
Well, what you want then is neither analytic nor continental people, but good old fashioned "history of philosophy types". I have actually experienced that sort of frustration -- I talk about it in my "Wittgenstein phase" video. I do have to say, though, that in my experience with other students, profs, and colleagues, the "clarity" of analytic philosophy as an approach is mainly mythical. . .
The last bit you mentioned about not being too concerned with originality surprised me since I find myself being heavily concerned with it right now, and I am only in my final year for my bachelors in Philosophy/History. I definitely find myself falling down this trap. Identifying this trap may save me from much anxiety and depression for my future academic studies. Thank you.
When I was 18, I wanted to study philosophy. I decided to study math and physics, but dropped physics because doing both was too tough. I got both my B. Sc. and M. Sc. in math. I started my Ph. D. in math, but found a job in the real world, industry! I wanted to go back, but never found the time. 25 years later, I wish I had chosen computational biology, but now, it is just too tough to really do something on the side to just get started, as there are many Ph. D.'s from great schools.
Yes, I can understand that. The profs really owe to their students to make their expectations explicit -- but that's really preaching to the choir for me to say that I think! I've been -- long ago, as an undergrad -- where you're sitting. So, I can sympathise
Well, the Modern era covers a lot of time, so if we're counting the early modern period, absolutely. Even if we're looking at the 19th century a university/college education in the liberal arts was much more oriented towards development of the person than towards professional tracks. So, the degree meant something different. In the 20th century, you're not going to find too many, because most educated philosophers are going to have at least gotten a B.A, and many went on for graduate work.
Thank you very much prof. Gregory. This was the first video I see on your channel and it helped a ton. Your humbleness and kind tone makes it seem as I was getting advice from an old friend. Subscribed! Love from Palestine
Glad that you've enjoyed that video - and the others! If you'd like to help me continue this kind of work, consider becoming a Patreon supporter - www.patreon.com/sadler
Thanks Dr Sadler for the great advice. I'm hoping to enroll in a Phd program in the near future. It sounds like it's a tough ride but it may be well worth it. The actual job market sounds tougher than the Phd itself.
Thanks for the video, a few questions: 1) While you *can* study philosophy on your own and you don't necessarily need an advanced degree to do philosophy, doesn't the process of getting the advanced degree sharpen your skills, so much so that it is in fact worth it to go through the process? 2) How do PhD programs view MAs? My undergrad was in engineering and I'm currently getting an MA part-time from a low-tier state school. How can I best prepare myself, assuming I want to go for the PhD?
Ok, thank you. I asked you this because I am often hounded for references (And often they don't ask explicitly for references when they present the topic) even though I thought of the solutions a priori during the writing itself. It can become tedious searching the annals of philosophical history to see if your idea was thought of before.
Just took the first philosophy course in my undergraduate study(although I major in social science). It's so fascinating to explore this world. Thanks for your video.
You make many fantastic points on the history of Philosophy. Thank you. I’m a Grad student currently looking for a current teaching position. I am hoping to eventually teach history for many years at a community college after my Graduate Thesis. I am hoping to find a job in order to fulfill my dreams, curiosity, hunger, & passion of personally knowing & sharing knowledge & wisdom with others. My undergraduate degrees are in philosophy/analytical psychology & theology/ministry, & my Graduate degree in empirical history (from NC/AZ/VA). My favorite subject is the history of philosophy and I hope to pursue a PhD in the history and philosophy of science someday (after my first year of cc teaching). My main career goal is to teach & conduct research (investigate/read/write) in the history of philosophy & the history of science (i.e. explain the accomplishments of dead people that were smarter than I ever will be).
@@GregoryBSadler thank you Dr. Sadler, I appreciate your response & I am thankful and grateful for your video lectures. Your teaching is a wealth of knowledge from many dedicated years pointing to your love of wisdom. Thank you for your teaching, inspiration, & encouragement. I think Epictetus and philodemus would agree :)
OK very interesting Professor!. At 66 I really don't have any hope of getting a doctorate in philosophy but a masters I might be able to achieve. I got a BA in Sociology in 1973 but am currently working for a BA in Philosophy at Fort Hays State U. online. Obviously for me to think I could someday teach is somewhat of a fantasy but I am thinking that a masters would be great for my own edification and also perhaps would help me to be able to write and publish a book or two in philosophy. I figure that not only would I have more of the language down required to engage in traditional arguments but would also have a greater chance of being published if I at least had a masters.
+Peter Martin Well, if you're talking about traditional publishing, I'm not sure whether it would help or not. It could certainly be useful in developing certain skills that go into writing and researching a book - but you might already have them
Thanks Prof., I have a fairly good mind and extensive experience set but my writing is not up to snuff. English Composition was the only thing I flunked in College. I am currently taking Epistemology which is really good at stretching my rational mind and growing my knowledge of traditional western philosophical thought with its concepts and vocabulary in addition to increasing my ability to write. There are three papers required and of course the usual online discussions board. Thank you for your responses.
I'm glad you enjoy the videos -- I'd suggest turning up the sound on your external speakers for the videos before the time we started boosting the sound
This is a great video. I’ve been in IT (help desk) for 5 years and I completely resent IT. So I’ve been getting into coding but also philosophy. I’ve been enjoying philosophy more than coding so here I am trying to decide. This video gives me great insight and introspection in general
Thanks for the interesting and informative videos. Your RUclips channel is particularly responsible for my decision to change my major to philosophy and pursue a career as a professor.
Hey! I'm currently transferring to ASU as a Creative Writing/Philosophy double major and this video has really helped me. I think the major thing that helped is that you stated I don't need the degree to study philosophy. That's entirely true! I've always loved Eastern Philosophy. Not entirely into the Samurai's way of life, but moreso the Tao te Ching and Confucianism. I really want to take my "act" overseas and learn over there after I get my Bachelor's and I'm hoping I can land a job teaching English in China or Japan, so I can then study what I've always wanted to study and teach what I love (English!) Anyway... just wanted to say your video touched me :) not sure if you still read these comments, but I thank you for the very clear perspective here.
That is great to read! It's kind of unfortunate that the way we've got our post-secondary ed system set up, we basically just throw a few Philosophy classes -- the teaching of which ranges from the terrible to the excellent and everywhere in between! -- at 18-24 year olds as Core requirements, with zero follow-up later on. And, we've got relatively little for everyone else, working, living a life, who might now find the texts and thinkers resonate with them more
Well, I'd say to start that if the idea is to have a B.A. as a kind of credential to get your foot in the door for some more or less academic conversation, it's not that helpful for that, not directly. A B.A. just doesn't get taken as seriously as graduate degrees in general -- then again, one needn't "play the game" as academics are comfortable with it. You CAN participate in these conversations even if sometimes the gatekeepers try to keep you out, so long as you're on-point and informed
It really depends on the sense of "prove" -- which is one of those slippery terms that means different things to different people, in different contexts -- as I myself had to learn the hard way, back in my college days! I don't think that anything can be "proven" in the sense of necessarily compelling assent from every human being, which is what some people seem to think "prove" means -- you can always find the obstinate, the obtuse, the willful, etc. Other senses -- a different story . . .
Hey, I can't thank you enough for making this video, professor Sadler! I'm actually going through a tough period in my academic life, even though I'm just an undergraduate... Sometimes academia can be too arduous and complex, especially from a social point of view, given it's requisites, appearences and self condescendence, all things which really annoy me. It's very nice to see such a down to earth approach on philosophy by you and, most of all, the possibility of a philosophical fulfilling life. Refreshing!
Two questions: 1) Why did you choose Hegel as your 'special' philosopher? 2) Where are your Wissenschaft der Logik lectures? :D Thank you for your contributions!
Well, I think that if we're looking at some of the great philosophers of the late modern era, in some of their cases, working on their degree was important -- not for getting the degree as such, but perhaps for who they studied with (think about all those students of Husserl or Heidegger who went on to do some excellent work of their own, of very different sorts). Or, it could be who they studied, what thought they engaged with rigorously -- writing a thesis or dissertation makes you do that
This was great! It's cool that I can tell that you prefer the informal approach of discourse but can be straight-forward and practical when dealing with the bureacratic, hierarchical mountain.
Really nice presentation, Dr. Sadler! Glad to hear that you also play bass 😉 There are many important points that you bring up pertaining to the work market. I can relate to your biographical story of being somewhat unhinged. So am I. Though trying to be less wild and avoiding that "this advice would have been good to take seriously because there was a reason for it, even though I couldn't realise that at the time", from already having a bevy of those - both academically and from work experience. Being a bit philosophically wild has actually helped in delving deep in many things I technically shouldn't know and understand at my formal level 😅, but thankfully I have great mentors - your advice about getting many mentors who are adjacent but different gives a good well rounded perspective on various topics. Also, great advice on stuff that ought to be read and studied; I see a lot of good thought from the "tradition" getting lost, especially with, within, from and due to the analytic tradition. Understanding this from deep diving brought me right back to the classics with the somber realisation that actually a great deal of professionals kind of fumble around and fumbled the ball as it were. I've also gotten caught in various originality traps. Now being a recovering originalist, on my mentors' recommendation ;) Hey, a good question on necessity is whether or not we of this unhinged sort needed an assortment of mistakes and experience in order to turn around. I would suggest that's the case - but that's another long discussion 😉 All the best, from, hopefully, a future Philosopher (PhD), eventually - God willing!
@@GregoryBSadler Haha, no, but it was a funny and representative expression. As "unhinged" and wild and crazy as it gets with philosophy. You know, semantics... and daring to read and explore dangerous ideas and all that, laying out the findings in doing the adventurous detective work performed in the study or at the library. Sorry, I have too much Žižek in my nature. Being facetious might not always come across well in quick text, but given what I've seen from your videos I thought you'd take it in the cheery manner I hoped would come across. Perhaps it failed, but is all in well meaning with good will with much appreciation and mostly a joke towards myself and nothing weird implied. It's about the ideas and the nature of philosophy and philosophers, nothing otherwise. I discovered by chance that I work a lot with what could be construed as applied phenomenology in practice, rather than "just" theoretically, although I find it to be really Platonism rediscovered rather than anything particularly new. I was told that in my laying out certain ideas regarding metaphysics and takes on platonism that I apparently sounded a lot like Heidegger and Coreth before ever having read either. That would be an example of some such wild and crazy unhinged approach. Too much clarification kills the joke. Anyway, I hope that clarifies any bad communication on my part.
I suppose. It's varied from time to time -- and depends very much upon what else one has going on. I'll say this: on the road to becoming a prof, while you're a student, expect to put in hours every day.
Thank you for your time on this. I am currently enjoying your "Half Hour Hegel" series. I'm not seeking the professor of philosophy route, but I enjoy hearing about the journey.
@@GregoryBSadler hopefully this isn't to forward of me, but I'd really appreciate your feedback on my video called proof of God #2 argument from contingency based on consciousness. No worries if not, I just thought I'd ask
@@therealmysteryschool My time is a pretty scarce and valuable resource. Review and feedback is something I'd have to charge you for. And this is a topic for an email, not a RUclips comment
@@GregoryBSadler oh ok, thanks for letting me know. I understand you have limited time and I greatly look forward to your videos on Epictetus. I just thought it would be worth mentioning to you because you talked about the ontological argument and I call my proof the ontological a priori mathematical argument displayed in an equation: 1. Dead matter + dead matter= dead matter 2. Dead matter + consciousness= conscious matter 3. Consciousness + consciousness = conscious matter But Have a great day and I'll see you on the next video!
I really needed to hear that last part. Maybe make a new video about it, perhaps it would reach some newer viewers who did not come across this video and maybe need to hear this message as well. Thanks for this
If I've learnt anything about the academic philosophy job market by observing my university over the last several years the job market is trash and shrinking by the day unless you specialize in philosophy of mind and want to lecture at the University of Auckland. (they literally had to pull Denis out of retirement since they didn't replace him in time much to the sadness of students in the stage 3 that fought we'd escaped him after the stage 1 paper since he'd retired.) ....and yet I still want to lecture philosophy (though with caution, done my ba in politics and philosophy, now doing a bcom in accounting and work for a while before jumping into masters and phd)
Thank you for your advice. I will be applying to graduate school (hopefully going straight into a doctorate program) within the next two months. I am very excited.
Yep. I wish I'd taken the opportunity to study Law back when I was working on my Ph.D. at SIUC -- I could have stayed on for a few more years, come out with both degrees, and have taken classes in an area I was becoming more and more interested in. But, I wanted to get out of Carbondale (I'd lived there for 7 years), and to move back north to my family land (where I did live for 6 years). Ah, well, there are many of these sorts of regrets in the life of anyone who has lived a while....
Hello. I'm new to your channel and a person with a casual interest in philosophy.I like seeing how people thought about things over time. It's more of a hobby when I have a free minute, but your videos have allowed me to see that there are more philosophers than I previously knew about. I also have the same pet peeve with people cherry picking. I try to remember there are philosophers of eastern thought(Laozi,Zhuangzi, Confucius, Krishnamurti, Alan Watts). Western tradition is only half of it.
Well, the "behind the scenes" person is my wife, who does all the editing, processing, and uploading of these videos -- a lot of work on her part
@@peteroconnor6394 Ah, so you’re a nutter. Got it
We’re very grateful for her work!
1) it depends on what you want to get out of it. If it's a career path -- if you want to teach Philosophy, it's necessary. Would most people who want to study benefit by going to grad school? Sure. But, it's a big investment.
2) Generally, you don't go straight into a Philosophy Ph.D. program. You do an M.A. in Philosophy, then you go do a Ph.D in Philosophy. At the Masters level, you're doing 2 years of coursework and writing a thesis. Doing a Ph.D. after that is really more of the same
Great video Dr. Sadler. Your line about not having to build your own cathedral because so many beautiful cathedrals already exist gave me chills. I also struggle with always wanting to be the most original and smartest person in the room so that line really struck me and I'm going to make a point of remembering it going forward. Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it -- forgot that line myself (it's been a while since I shot this).
I think that emphasizing one's own quest for individuality can keep one from seeing just how much -- and how great stuff -- others have done
I'm 14 and spent so much of my life accidently doing metaphysics and value theory (specifically aesthetics) and to hear that all these thoughts in my head, not only had words for them, but had a community and millions upon millions of books breaking each individual concept, while also writing different perspectives and opinions is exhilarating!! I not only want to learn, but I want to teach!! currently I'm reading fear and trembling by Kierkegaard and it's taking me a week just trying to break down and understand the prelude and what that story might have meant to him.
i am so excited to experience the world of philosophy!!
It’s good to have enthusiasm
Well, first off, students sometimes think ideas are "original" because the student didn't remember coming across that idea previously, but often those ideas turn out to be just replications of ideas already long out there. Perhaps watch my video about originality.
If your prof wants you to write a paper with references, I'd suggest writing on something that you can provide references for. You've got the rest of your life to publish your original contributions to the field
I liked your last point on not getting too narrow with your reading and thinking; it's important to keep expanding and constantly take in opposing views.
EDIT: On creativity. It's so much more enjoyable to create and to blend different ideas together; perhaps I'm being arrogant and naive. I just know that combing the world of nutrition and philosophy is what the world needs right now. On the other hand, perhaps it's best to present both originalities within one platform and then that in itself is "enough" to send the right message through - I'm thinking out loud now - thanks for this video Gregory.
I'd say that, ideally, you do both. You present the fields each on its own. And then you also combine fields.
Thank you for posting this video, it was really helpful. Philosophy is one of the only degrees that I have really been considering. College, in its nature, just isn't for me. I've always took a heuristic approach to learn, I'm more likely to retain information that way. I'm 17, and I'll be graduating next year. Philosophy is one of the only things that really engages me, besides writing occasionally. I want something to look forward to after highschool. I don't want to spend a decade in school, only to be hit with job barriers. I like the advice you gave though, about doing philosophy on you're own time. I wouldn't'mind doing philosophy in my leisure, but what am I going to do for a career? I'm not a fan of my living situation already, and I couldn't imagine having to hear my mom's mouth for 10+ years, telling me how she put me through school, only to end up unemployed; but she will be pissed regardless of what I do. I was thinking of maybe taking up trade school, and maybe keeping my intellectual aspirations to myself. But I don't want to add fire to the flames, I'm already in a state of despondency, and intense depression. Philosophy has helped me cope somewhat. Any advice? Others career choices?
The Observer Trade schools are actually a great idea. We don't have enough young people going into the skilled trades. They generally pay well, and there's decent benefits. And, many of the trades do require quite a bit of problem solving and intellectual work.
Then, on the side, you continue your more academic intellectual development -- not just totally on your own, but making use of the various resources and networks that are out there.
That's my two cents
Thank you for the advice.
@@Jestfoster what did you do?
Thomas Harrison I’m currently attending Texas A&M and pursuing a degree in psychology. The existential crisis that I was going through when I originally posted this comment was the catalyst for my interest in psychology. Studying the human mind is now my main passion or telos.
@@Jestfoster Bruh, how`s your mom and what she`s saying about the degree? Anyways, wish you luck, hope you find peace.
I'm glad that you mentioned that you can still study philosophy without getting a degree.
I believe Spinoza was a lens cleaner his whole life.
Yes, many philosophers have had day jobs
I appreciate Prof. Sadler so much. He encourages philosophy whether towards full career towards a PhD and FT position; or studying because it is one's passion. I got BA in Phil. from Villanova University, later a MLS (for work purposes), and then some graduate courses (Habermas, Hermeneutics, Heidegger & Husserl. Seeing that FT positions were not possible, I did this coursework and then reading and studying on my own. Phil. study groups and circles are sometimes around. Follow youir passion.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and that you found a viable path for yourself
You're very welcome! I'm glad that you -- and some others -- asked me about this, and I had you particularly in mind while I was shooting it
A connection that it took me a look time to learn -- there's really two main way to learn humility.
One, the better way, is to practice it and thereby come to know it, without being required to.
The other is to buck against it, and end up being subjected and humiliated in the course of life -- to experience it through fighting against it -- and then hopefully to eventually understand it as not entirely bad.
The second is the path I ended up on
@@Axel-gn2ii You should be less prone to blathering your poorly informed opinions nobody asked you for
I'm only an amateur when it comes to philosophy and and not a professional like yourself. What you just said makes me feel better. I've always been of the humble opinion that if it takes me my whole life to understand the work of just one philosopher it wouldn't be a wasted life. Good to know that those who get paid to learn/teach it are also humble and grateful for what they do know.
34:21 From here you changed my whole perspective regarding my studies. Since then I am able to finish my papers 'cause before I was so nervous not being original and or might bore my professors. Thank you so much!
You're welcome - glad it was helpful to hear
Well, if I understand, there's three different issues on the table:
1) the tier / class system in academia, how it works, and what opportunities or limits it tends to produce
2) the uneven, but unpredictable distribution of talent across (and thus not really tied to) the tier system
3) the existence of bias both in terms of school and individual professors
Taking classes from Singer certainly couldn't hurt, though, provided one realizes he's kind of an ideologue. He's still a smart guy
Just a note - If you download Audacity (Freeware, no ads, no ties, ect) you can use a function called "Noise Removal", by going through effect, noise removal, highlight a "quiet" part of your audio, where you're not talking but there's still background noise, "get noise profile", highlight the entire script, and then actually remove noise, to get rid of the static.
Otherwise, thanks for the content, this is just the sort of thing I was after.
You're welcome -- and it's never too late for philosophy, or academic study in general. I would actually advise against deciding too much too early on -- explore the disciplines offered to you and see what best resonates with you. If that's Philosophy, good -- if something else, also good
Been looking for this one. This was extremely helpful and encouraging. Gotta admit. Going to any world class graduate school, mostly located outside of my country (Philippines, which is in Southeast Asia), seems a lot more daunting nowadays. Once you're outside of it, doing research and actually teaching, collaborating, seems a lot more open and less constrained than the character of graduate school, as you've described it. Been learning philosophy through various channels including yours, and thru Coursera. If I never go to graduate school for philosophy, I'm personally really fine doing social sciences, which has more global reach where I'm at, or teach humanities in high school. Hopefully, after the dust settles on the pandemic, I can possibly get into graduate school so I can do a university job at respectable capacity.
Each graduate school is going to be different in some respects
Yes, Wollstonecraft, like Mill, is working in the shadow of Hume, who disparaged humility as a "monkish" pseudo-virtue. But Hume didn't understand it all that well.
Well, some of what Anselm wrote on humility is still untranslated -- in his De Similitudinibus or in the Dicta Anselmi. Some is in his various letters. You can find some discussions of his position on humility in my blog, Orexis Dianoetike, where I've translated some of the otherwise untranslated stuff.
You're welcome. Yes, there's another twist as well -- there's lots of conversations. Some of them are very stimulating, enjoyable, welcoming. Others not so much -- so it's important to be able to leave some conversations, if need be
Well, philosophy in many of its forms does lead to conclusions -- but conclusions that are not universally accepted, not least because in some of the cases, it might require a good bit of development before one can understand those conclusions adequately.
It's one of the signs of the adequacy of a philosophical system or approach that it can account for why its rival approaches see matters differently, and provide some grounds for why its own approach works better.
My philosophy tutor tells me I am not original enough. Hearing your words have put me at ease. I still strive to be original and novel (and correct!) but I realise this is potentially superfluous. I want to understand the philosophers first, and then make something all of my own when the time comes. Thanks again, Gregory.
you're welcome -- glad you liked it.
Having watched this video makes me want to study philosophy again. I always feel so much pleasure in studying it.
That's great to read!
Not a bad way to look at it.
A good bit of what I do, in my research and writing, is actually something I describe as "philosophical detective work" -- for instance, tracking down all the places Aristotle talks about anger, comparing the stories, so to speak, assembling an account, and so on
My attitude toward learning philosophy (so far) has been that of a detective investigating a crime. You're looking for clues and piecing evidence together, to get some sort of broad idea of why culture is the way it is, and where all the major ideas originated from.
Thanks. I didn't think there was much to academia. I can just make my own videos and upload them like you.
There's much to academia. No reason to write it all off.
You're welcome. Glad you liked it
I'm about to start writing a paper discussing a potential career and having listened to this entire video is going to help me. Thank you.
Stephan Smith You're welcome! Glad it was useful
Gregory B. Sadler I'm done now. Cited this video. Thanks again.
Stephan Smith
If you'd like me to take a look at it, send it to greg@reasonio.com
"you can do that too". I did. But I don't think I became as knowledgeable as you are." it is enough to understand what the hell Plato was saying" I never finished trying to understand the "big names". ( not yet) . "getting into these things is like getting into a cathedral". Used to be, may it become so again.
Mark Trumble
Well, I'm nowhere near done with trying to understand the "big names" myself -- the portion of those I keep going back to. I'm likely not going to exhaust a single one of them before I die. . . and that's all right
You're welcome! Yes, I think it's important to keep in mind just how much freedom we do have to shape our own minds, even within institutions
Thank you for giving a fair and honest opinion and evaluation for people looking into this profession
You're welcome!
This was the most motivating video i have seen in a long time :)
Nice to read. Glad you enjoyed it
@@GregoryBSadler Do you know if there are universities that offer a dual degree that grants a doctorate in Philosophy and a law degree at the same time?
@@davidsoto4394 Yes, and you can actually search for that on Google
@@GregoryBSadler Is the work for a doctorate in Pholosiphy any different from a doctorate in a discipline like history, engineering, or applied mathematics?
@@GregoryBSadler Where can I find free Pholosophy writing promps?
Thank you for sharing, I got a great deal of information and insight out of this. I can't stop reading philosophy and its a pleasure to hear from those who are passionate as well.
You're welcome -- glad you're enjoying the videos
I had the similar experience of being gradually weaned away from some philosophies, and then attracted to others -- and it is a matter that, really, ought to take time.
In my observation, one does not suddenly embrace or abandon an entire philosophy as such -- not knowingly, at least -- solely on the basis of one experience, one argument, one anything. It's a cumulative process, where first one suspects, then one starts examining, then starts to say "well, there's something here", and so on
Happy New Year to you and yours as well!
You're very welcome -- I'm now, you might say, getting the hang of this video lecture-making business, and I enjoy it quite a bit
I just got my decision letters for undergrad last week, and I’ve been a bit bummed about the results since, but this really helped to pick me up. As it stands, I’ve been accepted into my state school (University of Washington) and waitlisted at some of my dream schools (UChicago, UPenn, and Brown). Knowing now that undergraduate institution is less of a concern for getting hired as a professor is comforting-I feel considerably less screwed-and knowing that if I just work my ass off the next four years, I could be good enough to get past that waitlist threshold for those grad schools gives me a solid boost in motivation and renewed sense of optimism regarding the career I’ve always wanted in academia. Thank you so much!
You're very welcome
I hugely agree with your point starting 31:00. If nothing else, learning the full range of viewpoints will make it easier for one to defend the viewpoint one advocates (if that viewpoint is true).
Thank you for this video, definitely helpful. I admit to only watching portions of it, as time permitted for me this afternoon, but I the part that I did see (the last half) was really inspiring, as Xeno mentioned. With a bachelors in psychology, on and off I have considered going to grad school for philosophy instead of pursuing social work or counseling psychology. I appreciate that you emphasized the fact that we can do philosophy and engage with others using technology, regardless of whether we have a degree or not. I think at one point you stated "Nothing is stopping you..." I really liked that sentiment. Thanks again!
+Marjorie McNaughton You're very welcome!
I think that's a very good answer.
I've had the (somewhat rare, apparently) experience of being actually convinced of a philosophy, though one that assumes it has flaws and requires any follower to find them and move beyond - a process that (given my mental resources) took me a couple of decades.
I do agree though that there is great value in grappling with Plato and Kant and the western canon - and religion, science, and eastern philosophy as well. Learning to think is not a bad thing!
I like philosophy, it really opens someone up substantially for working with people. I was an older grad student. It is helping me in my new profession - social work. I've learned a lot from Dr. Sadler. Thanks!
Glad philosophy is proving useful for you
One other point I would like to make ( and this is pertaining to intellectual curiosity) It helps to be smart, no doubt. However, you can really wrench a lot of mileage out of all your iq points if you are willing to work. I am not a genius, and it is work! But worth it. Do you agree, Dr. Sadler?
Sev kin Yes. I'm no genius either. The good thing is that when you put in a lot of work, you get to use the fruits of that for a while
It's so exciting when it really starts to make sense.....finally! And like you said, applies to life. Which is the point; helps you live better. ;^}
I really appreciate the personal time and effort you took to make this video for people who wanna become philosophy professors. Some might say It sounds simple ( not easy ) yet people need to hear it from a person who actually went through it and is living it at the moment . Thanks 👍
Glad you found it useful!
You're welcome! Yes, it is a considerable commitment, but it's a pretty good kind of life
Well, they were standard college courses, bu taught within the prison -- so they had to be fit into the prison schedule and regime. I'll shoot a video on that in the near future
Still listening to your lectures...Thank you!
You’re welcome
I'm glad that you said Philosophy is being done in other departments. Especially in what a lot of schools tend to offer in other departments now compared to a philosophy department. It really shows how you have really looked at what Humanities departments offer.
More that I picked it up on the job, rather than that I did any systematic research
Hi Gregory,
I wanted to ask I am finishing up a Ph.D. in Lit focus on 17th and 18th Lit and culture but I am looking at the ways in which Early and Modern Philosophy ainfluences lit in regards to ethical treatments of race. Is it possible that I could apply for Philosophy jobs?
Anwar Uhuru Anybody can apply. Search committees will start by getting rid of most of the applications, so yours would have to give them some compelling reason why not to throw yours out like the others.
Thanks for the heads up!
You're very welcome! Given all the things one could be occupying oneself with on New Years, it's nice to read that this video is actually one of them
Love this video. Appreciate your relaxed no-nonsense approach!
Thanks!
Well, it was an entire summer devoted to study of Hegel. I had several advantages, though. I'd taken an excellent course on the Phenomenology with a guy who himself knew it inside and out -- the one who decided I ought to just memorize it for my exam. I'd also led two student reading groups afterwards where we went through the entirety of it.
Most important, though -- I loved, and still do love Hegel and his works.
It’s through your videos and these great thinkers that has ignited my passion for this great profession that I am now seriously thinking about getting a PHD in philosophy but not for another couple of years due to work commitments.
I have immersed myself into learning as much as I can during this period , I started from the bottom with Bertrand Russel , Plato and Descartes that was three years ago since then I have now moved on to Heidegger , Arthur Schopenhauer and David Hume.
Thank you for bring these videos to a wide audience.
CaptainJasa You're very welcome! Yes, you've been commenting on these videos pretty actively, off and on, for quite some time -- since my early ones, I think!
Getting a Ph.D. in Philosophy is certainly a worthwhile pursuit -- if you find a program that's well-suited for the kind of study you want to engage in. That's the key, I think
You're welcome!
I picked Hegel -- and that was about 15 years ago -- because I very much enjoyed working through his thought, and found I had some facility with it. I still think there's much right in his approach.
Where are they? Still merely in potentia at present. I'll shoot a series on Hegel's Phenomenology starting this spring, probably going on through the summer. Not sure when I'd get to the Science Logic
Well, what people generally look at is the last degree that you earned. I wouldn't necessarily go to different Masters and Ph. D programs -- it really depends on whether you're getting what you want out of the program.
I loved what you said about intellectual pride and humility, and about the ‘originality trap’. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Off the cuff: Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, Augustine, Aquinas, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche
Well, what you want then is neither analytic nor continental people, but good old fashioned "history of philosophy types".
I have actually experienced that sort of frustration -- I talk about it in my "Wittgenstein phase" video. I do have to say, though, that in my experience with other students, profs, and colleagues, the "clarity" of analytic philosophy as an approach is mainly mythical. . .
You're welcome -- glad it was useful for you
You're welcome. Glad it's useful for you
The last bit you mentioned about not being too concerned with originality surprised me since I find myself being heavily concerned with it right now, and I am only in my final year for my bachelors in Philosophy/History. I definitely find myself falling down this trap. Identifying this trap may save me from much anxiety and depression for my future academic studies. Thank you.
I, a philosophy major, am really not planning to give up doing philosophy for the rest of my life.
This video is amazing. Thanks Greg!
When I was 18, I wanted to study philosophy. I decided to study math and physics, but dropped physics because doing both was too tough. I got both my B. Sc. and M. Sc. in math. I started my Ph. D. in math, but found a job in the real world, industry! I wanted to go back, but never found the time. 25 years later, I wish I had chosen computational biology, but now, it is just too tough to really do something on the side to just get started, as there are many Ph. D.'s from great schools.
Yes, I can understand that.
The profs really owe to their students to make their expectations explicit -- but that's really preaching to the choir for me to say that I think!
I've been -- long ago, as an undergrad -- where you're sitting. So, I can sympathise
Well, the Modern era covers a lot of time, so if we're counting the early modern period, absolutely.
Even if we're looking at the 19th century a university/college education in the liberal arts was much more oriented towards development of the person than towards professional tracks. So, the degree meant something different.
In the 20th century, you're not going to find too many, because most educated philosophers are going to have at least gotten a B.A, and many went on for graduate work.
Well said. The point at the end is very important and inspiring. Thank you.
You're welcome
Glad to hear it! You're welcome!
I am really thankful for this intuitive advice. And I am glad I came across this video,
Glad it's helpful for you
Thank you very much prof. Gregory. This was the first video I see on your channel and it helped a ton. Your humbleness and kind tone makes it seem as I was getting advice from an old friend.
Subscribed!
Love from Palestine
Glad that you've enjoyed that video - and the others!
If you'd like to help me continue this kind of work, consider becoming a Patreon supporter - www.patreon.com/sadler
Thanks Dr Sadler for the great advice. I'm hoping to enroll in a Phd program in the near future. It sounds like it's a tough ride but it may be well worth it. The actual job market sounds tougher than the Phd itself.
Thanks for the video, a few questions:
1) While you *can* study philosophy on your own and you don't necessarily need an advanced degree to do philosophy, doesn't the process of getting the advanced degree sharpen your skills, so much so that it is in fact worth it to go through the process?
2) How do PhD programs view MAs? My undergrad was in engineering and I'm currently getting an MA part-time from a low-tier state school. How can I best prepare myself, assuming I want to go for the PhD?
Ok, thank you. I asked you this because I am often hounded for references (And often they don't ask explicitly for references when they present the topic) even though I thought of the solutions a priori during the writing itself. It can become tedious searching the annals of philosophical history to see if your idea was thought of before.
Just took the first philosophy course in my undergraduate study(although I major in social science). It's so fascinating to explore this world. Thanks for your video.
You're welcome
Dr. Sadler, thanks so much for sharing. You give such great advice! Very inspiring for a student and aspiring philosopher such as myself. :)
+VoidOfNihil9Suicide9 You're very welcome!
You make many fantastic points on the history of Philosophy. Thank you.
I’m a Grad student currently looking for a current teaching position. I am hoping to eventually teach history for many years at a community college after my Graduate Thesis. I am hoping to find a job in order to fulfill my dreams, curiosity, hunger, & passion of personally knowing & sharing knowledge & wisdom with others. My undergraduate degrees are in philosophy/analytical psychology & theology/ministry, & my Graduate degree in empirical history (from NC/AZ/VA). My favorite subject is the history of philosophy and I hope to pursue a PhD in the history and philosophy of science someday (after my first year of cc teaching). My main career goal is to teach & conduct research (investigate/read/write) in the history of philosophy & the history of science (i.e. explain the accomplishments of dead people that were smarter than I ever will be).
All I can say is best of luck
@@GregoryBSadler thank you Dr. Sadler, I appreciate your response & I am thankful and grateful for your video lectures. Your teaching is a wealth of knowledge from many dedicated years pointing to your love of wisdom. Thank you for your teaching, inspiration, & encouragement. I think Epictetus and philodemus would agree :)
OK very interesting Professor!. At 66 I really don't have any hope of getting a doctorate in philosophy but a masters I might be able to achieve. I got a BA in Sociology in 1973 but am currently working for a BA in Philosophy at Fort Hays State U. online. Obviously for me to think I could someday teach is somewhat of a fantasy but I am thinking that a masters would be great for my own edification and also perhaps would help me to be able to write and publish a book or two in philosophy. I figure that not only would I have more of the language down required to engage in traditional arguments but would also have a greater chance of being published if I at least had a masters.
+Peter Martin Well, if you're talking about traditional publishing, I'm not sure whether it would help or not. It could certainly be useful in developing certain skills that go into writing and researching a book - but you might already have them
Thanks Prof., I have a fairly good mind and extensive experience set but my writing is not up to snuff. English Composition was the only thing I flunked in College. I am currently taking Epistemology which is really good at stretching my rational mind and growing my knowledge of traditional western philosophical thought with its concepts and vocabulary in addition to increasing my ability to write. There are three papers required and of course the usual online discussions board. Thank you for your responses.
I'm glad you enjoy the videos -- I'd suggest turning up the sound on your external speakers for the videos before the time we started boosting the sound
This is a great video. I’ve been in IT (help desk) for 5 years and I completely resent IT. So I’ve been getting into coding but also philosophy. I’ve been enjoying philosophy more than coding so here I am trying to decide. This video gives me great insight and introspection in general
Glad it's useful for you!
Thanks for the interesting and informative videos. Your RUclips channel is particularly responsible for my decision to change my major to philosophy and pursue a career as a professor.
Hey! I'm currently transferring to ASU as a Creative Writing/Philosophy double major and this video has really helped me. I think the major thing that helped is that you stated I don't need the degree to study philosophy. That's entirely true!
I've always loved Eastern Philosophy. Not entirely into the Samurai's way of life, but moreso the Tao te Ching and Confucianism. I really want to take my "act" overseas and learn over there after I get my Bachelor's and I'm hoping I can land a job teaching English in China or Japan, so I can then study what I've always wanted to study and teach what I love (English!)
Anyway... just wanted to say your video touched me :) not sure if you still read these comments, but I thank you for the very clear perspective here.
Glad the video was useful for you
That is great to read!
It's kind of unfortunate that the way we've got our post-secondary ed system set up, we basically just throw a few Philosophy classes -- the teaching of which ranges from the terrible to the excellent and everywhere in between! -- at 18-24 year olds as Core requirements, with zero follow-up later on. And, we've got relatively little for everyone else, working, living a life, who might now find the texts and thinkers resonate with them more
Well, I'd say to start that if the idea is to have a B.A. as a kind of credential to get your foot in the door for some more or less academic conversation, it's not that helpful for that, not directly. A B.A. just doesn't get taken as seriously as graduate degrees in general -- then again, one needn't "play the game" as academics are comfortable with it. You CAN participate in these conversations even if sometimes the gatekeepers try to keep you out, so long as you're on-point and informed
You're very welcome. Glad it's helpful
It really depends on the sense of "prove" -- which is one of those slippery terms that means different things to different people, in different contexts -- as I myself had to learn the hard way, back in my college days!
I don't think that anything can be "proven" in the sense of necessarily compelling assent from every human being, which is what some people seem to think "prove" means -- you can always find the obstinate, the obtuse, the willful, etc.
Other senses -- a different story . . .
Hey, I can't thank you enough for making this video, professor Sadler! I'm actually going through a tough period in my academic life, even though I'm just an undergraduate... Sometimes academia can be too arduous and complex, especially from a social point of view, given it's requisites, appearences and self condescendence, all things which really annoy me. It's very nice to see such a down to earth approach on philosophy by you and, most of all, the possibility of a philosophical fulfilling life. Refreshing!
Glad it was helpful for you
Two questions:
1) Why did you choose Hegel as your 'special' philosopher?
2) Where are your Wissenschaft der Logik lectures? :D
Thank you for your contributions!
Well, I think that if we're looking at some of the great philosophers of the late modern era, in some of their cases, working on their degree was important -- not for getting the degree as such, but perhaps for who they studied with (think about all those students of Husserl or Heidegger who went on to do some excellent work of their own, of very different sorts).
Or, it could be who they studied, what thought they engaged with rigorously -- writing a thesis or dissertation makes you do that
This was great! It's cool that I can tell that you prefer the informal approach of discourse but can be straight-forward and practical when dealing with the bureacratic, hierarchical mountain.
or the bureaucratic, hierarchical dungeon, or desert, or. . . .
Really nice presentation, Dr. Sadler! Glad to hear that you also play bass 😉
There are many important points that you bring up pertaining to the work market. I can relate to your biographical story of being somewhat unhinged. So am I. Though trying to be less wild and avoiding that "this advice would have been good to take seriously because there was a reason for it, even though I couldn't realise that at the time", from already having a bevy of those - both academically and from work experience. Being a bit philosophically wild has actually helped in delving deep in many things I technically shouldn't know and understand at my formal level 😅, but thankfully I have great mentors - your advice about getting many mentors who are adjacent but different gives a good well rounded perspective on various topics. Also, great advice on stuff that ought to be read and studied; I see a lot of good thought from the "tradition" getting lost, especially with, within, from and due to the analytic tradition. Understanding this from deep diving brought me right back to the classics with the somber realisation that actually a great deal of professionals kind of fumble around and fumbled the ball as it were. I've also gotten caught in various originality traps. Now being a recovering originalist, on my mentors' recommendation ;)
Hey, a good question on necessity is whether or not we of this unhinged sort needed an assortment of mistakes and experience in order to turn around. I would suggest that's the case - but that's another long discussion 😉
All the best, from, hopefully, a future Philosopher (PhD), eventually - God willing!
Just looked at the transcript. Doesn't seem I used the term "unhinged"
@@GregoryBSadler Haha, no, but it was a funny and representative expression. As "unhinged" and wild and crazy as it gets with philosophy. You know, semantics... and daring to read and explore dangerous ideas and all that, laying out the findings in doing the adventurous detective work performed in the study or at the library. Sorry, I have too much Žižek in my nature. Being facetious might not always come across well in quick text, but given what I've seen from your videos I thought you'd take it in the cheery manner I hoped would come across. Perhaps it failed, but is all in well meaning with good will with much appreciation and mostly a joke towards myself and nothing weird implied. It's about the ideas and the nature of philosophy and philosophers, nothing otherwise. I discovered by chance that I work a lot with what could be construed as applied phenomenology in practice, rather than "just" theoretically, although I find it to be really Platonism rediscovered rather than anything particularly new. I was told that in my laying out certain ideas regarding metaphysics and takes on platonism that I apparently sounded a lot like Heidegger and Coreth before ever having read either. That would be an example of some such wild and crazy unhinged approach. Too much clarification kills the joke. Anyway, I hope that clarifies any bad communication on my part.
Glad you enjoyed it
A healthy perspective leads to humility. I like it
I suppose. It's varied from time to time -- and depends very much upon what else one has going on. I'll say this: on the road to becoming a prof, while you're a student, expect to put in hours every day.
Thank you for your time on this. I am currently enjoying your "Half Hour Hegel" series. I'm not seeking the professor of philosophy route, but I enjoy hearing about the journey.
+Bruce Hinchey Glad you enjoyed it - and that you're working through the Hegel videos
Thanks for all the advice, I just started my own RUclips channel about philosophy and I appreciate you making this video
You're welcome
@@GregoryBSadler hopefully this isn't to forward of me, but I'd really appreciate your feedback on my video called proof of God #2 argument from contingency based on consciousness. No worries if not, I just thought I'd ask
@@therealmysteryschool My time is a pretty scarce and valuable resource. Review and feedback is something I'd have to charge you for. And this is a topic for an email, not a RUclips comment
@@GregoryBSadler oh ok, thanks for letting me know. I understand you have limited time and I greatly look forward to your videos on Epictetus. I just thought it would be worth mentioning to you because you talked about the ontological argument and I call my proof the ontological a priori mathematical argument displayed in an equation:
1. Dead matter + dead matter= dead matter
2. Dead matter + consciousness= conscious matter
3. Consciousness + consciousness = conscious matter
But Have a great day and I'll see you on the next video!
Like I said: this is a topic for an email, not a RUclips comment
Ive been reading philosophy on my own now for about 11 or 12 years now. I thinking about going back to school for philosophy. Thanks for the advice.
Kudos to you dude doctor! this felt very heart felt and warm!
Cheers!
Yes, what you see is what you get in my videos
I really needed to hear that last part. Maybe make a new video about it, perhaps it would reach some newer viewers who did not come across this video and maybe need to hear this message as well. Thanks for this
Yeah, I should probably revisit this one, and a few other videos as well
Well, there's much more to education at the graduate level than just acquiring the information. Most people need good guides into the material
Great video. Was introduced to philosophy through studying architecture.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it
If I've learnt anything about the academic philosophy job market by observing my university over the last several years the job market is trash and shrinking by the day unless you specialize in philosophy of mind and want to lecture at the University of Auckland. (they literally had to pull Denis out of retirement since they didn't replace him in time much to the sadness of students in the stage 3 that fought we'd escaped him after the stage 1 paper since he'd retired.) ....and yet I still want to lecture philosophy (though with caution, done my ba in politics and philosophy, now doing a bcom in accounting and work for a while before jumping into masters and phd)
Yes, the job market is worse today than when I shot this video years back
Thank you for your advice. I will be applying to graduate school (hopefully going straight into a doctorate program) within the next two months. I am very excited.
You're welcome - and good luck!
Thank you for sharing that experience
You're welcome
Yep. I wish I'd taken the opportunity to study Law back when I was working on my Ph.D. at SIUC -- I could have stayed on for a few more years, come out with both degrees, and have taken classes in an area I was becoming more and more interested in. But, I wanted to get out of Carbondale (I'd lived there for 7 years), and to move back north to my family land (where I did live for 6 years).
Ah, well, there are many of these sorts of regrets in the life of anyone who has lived a while....
Thank you for this wonderfully honest video. I want to become a philosophy professor and this has really grounded my decision! Daunting but desirable.
How is it going?
Hello. I'm new to your channel and a person with a casual interest in philosophy.I like seeing how people thought about things over time. It's more of a hobby when I have a free minute, but your videos have allowed me to see that there are more philosophers than I previously knew about. I also have the same pet peeve with people cherry picking. I try to remember there are philosophers of eastern thought(Laozi,Zhuangzi, Confucius, Krishnamurti, Alan Watts). Western tradition is only half of it.