Topics Profession

Question Questions about going to school for philosophy have already been asked, but I couldn't help but ask another; I am strongly considering a search for a graduate-level philosophy school, and the panel is partially made of individuals working within grad. philosophy programs, and certainly those who graduated from such programs. I would like to know, from the panel member(s) that may respond: What exactly brought you to the point that you could say you were a constructive contributor to the philosophy field? What level of work did you have to demonstrate to enter the graduate program which you entered, and what quality of work was your output there? I'm asking you to evaluate these things to better understand what exactly needs to be sown to reap the feeling that you earned your degrees and the university position at which you teach. I think it would help to build a scale to use to quantify my own goal of professorship, or otherwise significant contributions to the field, one day.

Accepted:
December 31, 2007

Comments

I'll be interested in seeing what other answers you get to this question. Phil grad programs vary widely in reputation, as well as in both entrance and graduation requirements. There's also variation in the quality of work that gets published, as well as the amount and venue of publication that will count, in the eyes of colleagues and potential employers, as a "significant contribution to the field." I consider myself a constructive contributor every time I answer a question on this site or help a previously befuddled undergrad distinguish between a sound argument and a fallacious one...though the American Philosophical Association would probably be inclined to disagree.

For insight into programs and their respective requirements, see University of Texas professor Brian Leiter's Philosophical Gourmet Report, especially the links on Graduate Study. For insight into the process of getting through graduate school and into a philosophy professorship, see A Philosophy Job Market Blog, with particular attention to the comments.

If you and I were having this conversation one-to-one over a cup of coffee, I'd say: I felt I earned my degree when I got it, twelve years after starting graduate study. As for my university position, I gladly acknowledge it was more a matter of luck than earning, though I do feel I earn it with every student paper I grade. (You can find insight into these answers on my own blog, The Philosopher-Mom, although it will require some searching and a sense of humor.)

In the end, I'd say, don't do it unless you love philosophy. Period.