In the words of the famous French philosopher, Rene Descartes, “It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well.” This quote rings true for me, as it does for many others. I decided to double major in philosophy, because my time here at Oklahoma State illustrated how important it is to not only to study various subjects, but to employ this knowledge through critical thought and logical reason to all aspects of my life. My study of philosophy, at Oklahoma State, allows me to better assess the beliefs I hold, in light of a variety of perspectives from modern and classic philosophy. In this way, philosophy provides a springboard from which I may evaluate, ask questions about, and reason through some of life’s most central and difficult questions. In contrast to more technical fields of study, the liberal arts (specifically philosophy) develop skills and knowledge with an application which far extends those necessary to pursue a specific career. …show more content…
My long range career goals include graduating from Oklahoma State so that I can attend law school. The opportunity to study philosophy abroad, in Italy, would allow me to learn about different schools of thought than are commonly taught here in Oklahoma. Although the Greeks pioneered the study of philosophy, the Romans, upon their conquest of Greece, took up the study of philosopher for themselves. Many famous philosophers either hailed from or studied in Italy. The opportunity to study philosophy in the country where St. Augustine studied, where Cicero attempted to use philosophy to develop men into more logical thinkers in an attempt to improve decision making within the Roman government, and where Seneca wrote his essays on stoic philosophy would be an educational experience of a