r/AcademicPhilosophy • u/Alternative_Hat_6840 • 14d ago
To those who teach philosophy: you do make a difference.
I was surprised to learn that some professors question whether their work “makes a difference” in the world, instead emphasizing the intrinsic value of their discipline. Through conversations with professors—both those dedicated to teaching and others widely regarded as highly influential—I’ve come to appreciate this perspective. Perhaps by "making a difference," they are thinking specifically of advancing thought beyond the confines of their academic specialization.
In any case, I’m reminded of a lecture where the professor, before beginning, removed their shoes—a gesture meant to honor what they saw as the sacredness of philosophy. While this might seem cheesy to some, it struck me as meaningful. In a world where religion often dominates conceptions of moral frameworks, philosophy offers a parallel reminder of the importance—and reality—of truth in guiding our interactions with one another.
Yet, I recall a discussion early in my studies, in an applied ethics class, about everyday actions we consider normal but that are, in fact, morally abhorrent. A lecture hall of students was largely horrified by the conversation, and one asked the professor whether they had stopped engaging in such actions themselves. The professor essentially said, “I try, but no.”
Teaching philosophy, in some areas more than others, invites—or should invite—the challenge of publicly addressing questions that are somewhat personal. That moment has stayed with me and reminded me of this responsibility. You need not be a saint, but your students are watching—you are philosophers, after all.
Many of the challenges facing American society—questions of justice, morality, and knowledge—are philosophical at their core. What you all do has completely changed my life for the better, even if I’m not continuing with philosophy as a definite path.
Edit: These reflections are personal and not intended as universal prescriptions.
8
14d ago edited 11d ago
[deleted]
2
u/Alternative_Hat_6840 14d ago
Agree. I see you're in law school! Philosophy made me question how I can practice law in a meaningful and fulfilling way; I’m applying now.
2
5
u/SnooPineapples2184 14d ago
It does matter! I had an excellent high school teacher who taught the basics of Plato and Erich Fromm's Escape from Freedom. I think about him almost every day trying to get through this world as a human.