Robbins Library Notes

Good morning, readers!

I’m curious to know if any readers have been using Wolfram|Alpha, and what they think of it.  I have only used it a little bit so far.  From my (limited) experience, it seems a great engine for quantitative data.  Not quite the Google killer that some made it out to be, but definitely a useful auxiliary search engine.

In other news: there is a two-day conference on themes from the political philosophy of T.M. Scanlon in the UK this coming weekend.

Once I’m done with the end of term (today), I should have more time to write more in-depth posts starting next week.  Please feel free to send me ideas.  I have some, but I’d love to hear from readers.

Good morning, readers!

Late last year, I wrote a post about applying to graduate school in philosophy. While doing some other research a few days ago, I came across three columns by Thomas H. Benton from the Chronicle of Higher Education, arguing that one should not apply to graduate school in the humanities.  I was a bit taken aback at first; yet, the more I read these columns over, the more his arguments made sense to me.

You, reader, might be asking yourself, “Now why is offering these to us?”  I do so to help the would-be applicant to graduate studies in philosophy make an informed decision, with all of the issues involved considered thoroughly.  In doing so, I’m not trying to steer the applicant to answer the question in one way or another.  As I noted in my earlier post:

Should one apply to graduate studies in philosophy?  That’s a good question, and a big question, one which only the would-be applicant can answer for her- or himself.

Thus — again — I’m not telling a would-be applicant that they should not consider graduate study in philosophy.  Instead, I’m urging them to remember that it’s good to consider the pros of applying to graduate school, but also to weigh the cons in as well.  There are some very strong reasons to apply to graduate school in philosophy, and there are very strong reason to not apply to graduate school in philosophy.  It is for this reason that I offer you these three columns, to give them as clear, honest, and broad a picture of graduate life and study

You’ll need a Harvard PIN and ID to access these columns:

• So You Want to Go to Grad School? (Chronicle, 6/3/2003)
• Graduate School in the Humanities: Just Don’t Go (Chronicle, 1/30/2009)
• Just Don’t Go, Part 2 (Chronicle, 3/13/2009)

Thoughts, readers?

God morning, readers!

Two weeks ago, I had a request for some direction in applying to graduate school in philosophy.  The information that I assembled to answer this inquiry might be of use to some of my readers, so I will offer it here.

One thing I do want to make very clear from the start: I have not, to date, sat on an admissions committee, so I have no idea what is involved in the process, how decisions are made, how the various parts of the application are weighted against each other, the importance of GRE scores, and so forth.  I cannot — repeat – cannot be of any help in giving anyone the golden key to admission to Harvard’s doctoral program in philosophy, or anyone else’s, for that matter.

In looking over the sources, and from my own observations as one embedded in academia, most of the sources below agree with each to a large degree in terms of their advice and suggestions. But, as with anything, caveat emptor.  Evaluate these sources critically, and use them intelligently.

Deciding on Graduate School in Philosophy

Should one apply to graduate studies in philosophy?  That’s a good question, and a big question, one which only the would-be applicant can answer for her- or himself.

If you are seriously considering the possibility of graduate studies in philosophy, there are a number of questions which you, as the would-be applicant, should mull over as you make your decision.  Among these are:

• How prepared are you for graduate school, in terms of grades, coursework, maturity, and writing ability?
• Are you willing to spend several years of your life in intense study, teaching, and writing, with the likely possibility of having to move around the country to find a job in a very tight market?
• What do you plan to do with your hard-earned graduate degree?
• Do you know what the job market is like for post-secondary education teachers? For other fields?
• Are there other career options for those with (advanced) degrees in philosophy?
• Can philosophy be a side interest in life, if you do decide to not pursue graduate study?

Fortunately, you do not have to answer these questions alone.  In you are seriously considering graduate study, it’s a good idea to sit down and discuss them with your adviser(s) or mentor(s) early on.

Here are a few additional resources to help you as you ponder the above questions:

1. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, offers a realistic, non-partisan look at job requirements, training, and prospects for a variety of careers.  Click here to read what the Handbook says about prospects for post-secondary education teachers.
2. Chronicle of Higher Education.  The Chronicle provides a list of average salaries for full-time faculty, which might be helpful in getting a realistic perspective on the earnings potential of academics.  (Harvard PIN and ID required to view this article.)
3. American Philosophical Association (APA). The APA provides several data sets about the profession which might be useful for would-be graduate school applicants.
4. Eric Schwitzgebel, Associate Professor of Philosophy at UC Riverside, offers some thoughts on deciding whether and where to apply to graduate school in philosophy.
5. David O. Brink, Professor of Philosophy at UC San Diego, also has some thoughts for those contemplating graduate school in philosophy.
6. Brian Leiter’s Philosophical Gourmet Report has a section that addresses the decision to apply to graduate school in philosophy.
7. Leiter’s blog, Leiter Reports: A Philosophy Blog, often has discussions and information about employment for philosophers, as well as applying to graduate school.

Other Career & Study Options for the Philosophically-Minded that do not Include the Fast Food or Beverage Dispensing Industries

If you do contemplate graduate studies in philosophy, know that you aren’t limited to becoming a college or university professor, though most who do complete a Ph.D. pursue a university career.  For example:

Law School. Law school is a natural fit for many who are interested in philosophy.  Furthermore, you may be able to cross-register for graduate courses in ethics and political philosophy, e.g., if your program allows it.  You may even have the option of a joint JD/PhD program.

Library School. I find that I use a number of the skills and concepts learned in my philosophical studies as part of my work as a librarian. Moreover, you have subject expertise, which is always in demand.  Librarianship is a very exciting field in a time of transition, which may appeal to the philosophically-inclined.  If this path appeals to you, please feel free to contact me to learn more.

Other Careers. The writing and analytical skills that one learns from studying philosophy can be applied to any number of careers and vocational settings.  I know that, from my own experience in the corporate world, being able to write well and analyze arguments, data, and such are skills in high demand.  Thus, don’t think that because you studied philosophy, your career options are limited to academia or the fast food or beverage dispensing industries.

The reality is that you can do very well in life with undergraduate and graduate work in philosophy.  Just ask Woody Allen, Steve Martin, Carly Fiorina, George Soros, Harrison Ford, Bruce Lee, T.S. Eliot, Pearl Buck, Václav Havel, Bill Clinton, the Hon. Stephen Breyer, the Hon. David Souter, the Hon. Beverly McLachlin, Phillip Glass, Stone Phillips, Martin Luther King, Jr., Elie Wiesel, and John Elway.

(List drawn in part from Famous Philosophy Majors, maintained by Dr. Keith Korcz of the Philosophy Program at UL Lafayette)

Philosophy as a Side Interest. You do not have to cease studying philosophy at the end of your undergraduate academic career. If you choose not to continue the formal study of philosophy at the graduate level, you can always keep philosophy as a side interest in life.  You can participate in organizations and groups which focus on interests and figures of yours, subscribe to philosophical journals, attend lectures at local universities, or audit courses at your alma mater or local university, for example.

Treat Applying to Graduate School as if it were a Job Application

If you do decide to apply, I strongly recommend that you treat applying to graduate school in philosophy as you would when looking for a job.

In other words, just as you would research a company to which you are applying for a job, be sure you know the details about the prospective programs, their faculties, and cultures that you are interested in, before you submit applications.  Why?  If you do choose to go to graduate school, you are going to be spending a significant piece of your life there, so make sure that you and your program fit well together.

The Components of an Application

Much of the following information I have already laid out elsewhere in greater detail, so I won’t repeat it here, other than in bare outline form.  Click on the link above to get a fuller account of the items on the following list.

An application to a graduate program in philosophy, generally consists of the following items:

1. GRE (general part only)
2. Transcripts
3. Statement of purpose
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Writing sample

Other Resources That May Help When Applying

Here are some other resources that may be of assistance to would-be philosophy graduate school applicants:

1. Eric Schwitzgebel (see above) has some useful and interesting thoughts on the application process.
   • Philosophy Grad School Applications — Reflections from the Other Side
   • Applying to Philosophy Ph.D. Programs, Part II: Grades and Classes
   • Applying to Philosophy Ph.D. Programs, Part III: Letters of Recommendation
   • Applying to Philosophy Ph.D. Programs, Part IV: Writing Samples
   • Applying to Philosophy Ph.D. Programs, Part V: Statement of Purpose
   • Applying to Philosophy Ph.D. Programs, Part VI: GRE Scores and Other Things
   • Applying to Philosophy Ph.D. Programs, Part VII: After You Hear Back
2. To register to take the GRE: www.ets.org/gre/
3. Philosophical Gourmet Report (PGR), http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com

Applicants often use the PGR to evaluate prospective graduate programs. However, the PGR is not without challenges as to its methodology and biases. See, e.g.:

1. Richard Heck’s criticisms: http://frege.brown.edu/heck/philosophy/aboutpgr.php
2. John Hartmann’s criticisms: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1575/report.html#leiter

You may also want to read my blog post on the PGR, which highlighted an article about the Report from an April 2008 edition of the Boston Globe.

In short, take the PGR with a grain of salt.  It is very useful, and there have been a number of improvements to it over the last several years.  Just don’t rely on it uncritically.

Are there other resources to add?  What other questions might you have about applying to graduate school in philosophy?