Also a hobbyist, Joe, and it is fun! I’ve been thinking it would be great to get a Master’s at some point in the future in theology or some such not because it’d improve my job prospects, but because I’d just love to learn more. Study these things I now do as a hobby in a more serious, rigorous way. Would I find it overall disappointing? Yes, quite possibly. My wife has a Master’s and she doesn’t have much good to say about the experience. Your piece has given me some more good food for thought. I wish it was easier in our society to just…learn things for the joy of learning, rather than having to worry about food and rent and career advancement all the time!
It's worth noting that unless a PhD program is scam-adjacent, PhD programs will not require any loans, as they will automatically cover tuition and provide a stipend, and this includes philosophy programs. So, the only financial cost for pursuing a PhD is the opportunity cost (which may be significant though). This is a big difference between PhD and master's. But there are also a handful of funded philosophy master's programs!
PhDs, as far as I can tell, are worth it if you like the subject. The problem is 1) getting into such a program (it's competitive and scarce-ish in the US) and 2) find a job post graduation.
I’m an amateur but for some reason I’m more attracted to economics and political science . I guess in Hume and Smith’s day they were part of philosophy 😎
This hit hard: "That means being prepared to go into academia or being at peace with the possibility of accumulating a lot of debt to not be a part of academia."
I'm thinking of getting a Master's but certainly not in philosophy. And I think you explain some of the main reasons very well. However, reading this may have delayed that approach for a few years. Probably for the best, as you said.
I don't honestly recommend it for what I got it (mass communications/journalism), and it can work out for many situations...but you have to be sure it's what you want to do!
Also a hobbyist, Joe, and it is fun! I’ve been thinking it would be great to get a Master’s at some point in the future in theology or some such not because it’d improve my job prospects, but because I’d just love to learn more. Study these things I now do as a hobby in a more serious, rigorous way. Would I find it overall disappointing? Yes, quite possibly. My wife has a Master’s and she doesn’t have much good to say about the experience. Your piece has given me some more good food for thought. I wish it was easier in our society to just…learn things for the joy of learning, rather than having to worry about food and rent and career advancement all the time!
My thoughts exactly! I just want to learn more. Thanks for the comment!
It's worth noting that unless a PhD program is scam-adjacent, PhD programs will not require any loans, as they will automatically cover tuition and provide a stipend, and this includes philosophy programs. So, the only financial cost for pursuing a PhD is the opportunity cost (which may be significant though). This is a big difference between PhD and master's. But there are also a handful of funded philosophy master's programs!
PhDs, as far as I can tell, are worth it if you like the subject. The problem is 1) getting into such a program (it's competitive and scarce-ish in the US) and 2) find a job post graduation.
I’m an amateur but for some reason I’m more attracted to economics and political science . I guess in Hume and Smith’s day they were part of philosophy 😎
This hit hard: "That means being prepared to go into academia or being at peace with the possibility of accumulating a lot of debt to not be a part of academia."
I'm thinking of getting a Master's but certainly not in philosophy. And I think you explain some of the main reasons very well. However, reading this may have delayed that approach for a few years. Probably for the best, as you said.
I don't honestly recommend it for what I got it (mass communications/journalism), and it can work out for many situations...but you have to be sure it's what you want to do!
TY for this, Joe. You might like some of a somewhat similar story here https://www.losingmyreligions.net/
OTOH, you might find all of it absurd / egomaniacal. So it goes. :-)