Why Students Should Consider Taking Philosophy in High School

I graduated from High School about a year ago, so I have a good idea about what teens do in and out of school still. Many teens look for easy elective classes to take to boost their grades in their junior and/or senior years of high school. However, I had another idea on what I wanted to do, and I want to recommend it to anyone and everyone that can possibly do this.

I am unsure if every school has this class, but I am sure some do. The class I am speaking of is Philosophy, which, by my personal definition is the following: The study of an array of theories in many fields while keeping an open mind. This is obviously a personal definition, as Merriam-Webster defines Philosophy as " a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought [...]". (Merriam-Webster - Philosophy)

The problem with Philosophy is that it doesn't catch the attention of many teens in general, especially when teens are easily swayed by the thoughts and actions overwhelming media. However, Philosophy can help teens, and everyone for that matter, enhance their minds in virtually every aspect. Philosophy isn't all about philosophers such as Descartes, Kant, Plato, and Aristotle. Nor is Philosophy all about previous works such as Allegory of the Cave and Meditations on First Philosophy. Philosophy as a whole is much more than mere history, it's analyzing todays world as well with using an open-mind.

How can students benefit from Philosophy? Easy. Philosophy makes everyone think, whether you're a high school junior, or a nuclear physicist. Philosophy simply does not correlate with intellectual IQ. Rather, Philosophy uses the innovational mind to come up with theories about certain things. These "things" don't necessarily have to be about the existence of God, or a God. Rather, these "things" can be about anatomical perception, a group of specific people (possibly correlated with "cliques" in high school), what makes other people think. Philosophy takes the mind and throws people out of their comfort zone, and that's what makes it so unique.

To gain a better idea on how Philosophy makes one feel, I will give a personal analogy. Studying in the field of Philosophy and using it to gain knowledge about the everyday world made me feel as if I were a kid again. As one grows older you gain more knowledge and experience in many different aspects, but when you're a kid you have to make hypothetical guesses about what makes the sun fall below the horizon, or why the waves continuously crash against the shore, or even what happens after death. Nothing compares to the innocence of a child's' mindset, and no experience can bring an adult back to that mindset with ease. A child merely thinks of these subjects through observation, whereas an adult contains experience and knowledge must block out any foundational knowledge to think of such ideas.

For example, when I was a kid I drove around a lot with my parents. When it came to long car rides there was always plenty of cars on the road traveling in one direction. I took into consideration that every car on the road was in a race to get to some spot. I didn't think of a mere drive as getting from Point A to Point B, rather I thought more elaborately with my innocent mindset.

There is a drawback to taking Philosophy though, and it's a reason that pushes many people away from taking the course. There is generally a lot of work and reading altogether. No student wants an abundant amount of work, especially when they are taking about 5 or 6 other classes that pile work on them as well. However, if one can handle the amount of work given in a Philosophy course, I highly recommend taking it. It will enhance your minds' perception, and you'll learn such terms as epistemology, basically the study of thought.

I know Philosophy has dramatically increased my minds' thoughts in a way like no other course could have. I eventually plan on writing a book or two about philosophical subjects such as anatomical perception and so on. I have to thank my Philosophy teacher, as I would contain far less knowledge if it wasn't for her. Thank you Mrs. Pentola.

As for students already enrolled in a Philosophy course, get ready for a mind-boggling experience that will leave you changed for life.