Can we prove that God exists? Are our minds immortal? Is what is right
or wrong in our society also right or wrong in other societies? Can historical
accounts be objective, or are they always flavored with the author's point
of view?
A philosophy professor can help us ask these questions more precisely.
We can find ways of comparing our thoughts to those of some of the greatest
thinkers on this Earth. By studying philosophy, we are encouraged to work
out answers that we can accept for ourselves.
Professors of philosophy have studied the ideas of famous philosophers
such as Plato, Descartes, Hume, Russell, Wittgenstein and Sartre. These philosophy
professors can guide their students by giving talks (lectures) and holding
discussions (seminars).
They cover topics such as individual liberty (free will to make our own
decisions) or religious knowledge. Other topics open to discussion are abortion,
capital punishment (the death penalty), racial and gender discrimination,
and politics. A philosophy professor teaches students how to construct logical
arguments for and against topics of debate.
Philosophy professors encourage logical reasoning. They want us to recognize
the influence of emotion.
Philosophy professors also teach courses on new ideas and concerns. They
teach classes 12 to 16 hours a week, conduct research in their chosen specialties,
attend meetings and make themselves available for student consultations during
scheduled office hours. Those office hours are usually three to six hours
a week.
College and university professors teach and advise their students. They
also perform significant research. They keep up to date by studying, meeting
with their colleagues and consulting with various organizations.
Although an individual requires a certain degree of stamina to do this
job well, a physically challenged person could perform this work. "Speech
and hearing are extremely important if one is to teach and interact with students.
Apart from these, other disabilities shouldn't be problematic," says Mui (May)
H. Sim of Oklahoma State University's philosophy department.