Updated on Friday 1 March 2013 If a classroom full of children
is asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" the
children will shout out numerous, common answers. Children are
likely to yell out occupations such as a doctor, a football
star, and on a rare occasion, even, a teacher. What children
will never say they want to be when they grow up is a
philosopher. As a matter of fact, if that same classroom full of
children is asked, "What do philosophers do?" those same excited
voices will immediately hush. Even adults are unlikely to know
what philosophers do. So why study philosophy? Why study
something that no one seems to have an idea about? The deep
answer is, "Because philosophy is the study of the most
important stuff that humans can think of." But, what is the
practical payoff, especially for an international student? Well,
the payoff is a good one. Studying philosophy is likely to help
a student succeed in their career and find happiness. To really
answer the question, "Why study philosophy?" on