Philosophy - Is it for me? How do I know?

[!BASH!]

I have no particular talent, I work in sales, do some business consulting, a few pr jobs left an right, I am involved in a recycling project but for the last few months I've been asking myself: What do I want to be? What do I want to get out of this life?I sucked at school. Do you remember the lazy but funny guy at school who was day dreaming all day long and got detention for asking to many questions and never being satisfied with the teachers answers? Well that was me. My parents thought I was lazy, my teachers said I had ADD or was possibly hyperactive and that my point in life was to be the class clown ...But the Truth is that I just didn't care. I did not care about French, German, English, Maths, Biology, Shop or anything I just did not care about any of this.Most of my teachers hated my guts because I never let off their back. I never understood how teachers could justify everything by saying : Because I said so! or my personal favorite: "Because that's the way it is!" ( I even got goosebumps right there)To sum it up, I personally think that education is a waste of time. I love to read. Random stuff from the internet, books on business or 'real subjects'. I don't like fiction or romance. I love to talk to people, listen to them, see how they behave while lying straight into my face So, at the moment I am in between religions, jobs and have no idea who I am. Am I having a midlife crisis at 23? (They'll be cool if I could buy a porsche or bmw..)I was looking into social studies and philosophy but I am not sure if I want to lose years of my life and thousands of dollars on a dry education .... All the Unis tell you is that you're welcome to join the $850 intro course.So yeah ... any help would be appreciated here.Thank you so very much!Best RegardsStevePS: I'll pay you in karma chips!No such thing as CC in Australia.I have to add that I have a job and a company and I do not hate them. I just wonder if that's it? Also, I don't care about the degree. Never did. I was just wondering if Philosophy is for me and if there's a good reason for learning about it at uni or should I just read tons of books and learn by doing as I always did!?

 

[TEE-Boen]

The midlife crisis and karma chips parts made me lol.So, I think the question is more "Is school for me?" But remember that college is much different (and better) than high school. When you say "I love to talk to people, listen to them, see how they behave while lying straight into my face" and "I never understood how teachers could justify everything by saying : Because I said so!" I can see you being an ideal philosophy major (they have philosophy courses that pertain to studying that). See, in college you are encouraged to not be complacent with "because I said so."You're right, it's hard to find a job with a philosophy degree BUT you have so much work experience that a degree in anything will be fine. I have had a supervisor who couldn't become a manager because she didn't have a degree (but she had tons of experience). If she had a degree in anything at all, they would have promoted her.Perhaps sign up for a philosophy course at your local community college and see how it feels. If it is for you, you can continue, and if not, CC is cheap so you won't be out too much money.Good luck!---------------------------------------EDIT: Since there is no such thing as CC there, if you are in between jobs then perhaps sign up for the into course at uni and see how you like it. You can always drop it if you like.----------------------------------------EDIT2: Perhaps if you don't care about the degree, then you might want to continue reading books on the subject instead. You would have to take exams at university, and that would add some stress to your life. The only reason for learning it at uni would be that learning a subject in depth can be easier if you take a class. You would also be able to converse and debate with your fellow classmates and professors and you may gain greater insight to the field through this exchange.

 

[Phill T]

Actually, you sound fairly normal for 23. I was always drunk but did fine in college because I studied what I enjoyed. A professor gave me the best advice at the time when I was confused-- Think of what kind of books you'd have no problem reading at 6am and 1am. Religion and Politics was often on my mind in bed, while driving, while vegging. So I double majored in both and got good grades. You don't really 'need' a college degree for the job market esp if you have work experience. If you feel the need for some kind of credential or degree, a job-related 'terminal' associates degree (not for transfer) or a short certificate is good enough. The classes are easy and you'll finish quicker. But if you want the BMW, you'll need to get some serious technical skills (which you can learn on your own without school) at the very least. I know quite a few programmers and technicians with no degree and making a good chunk of money in the hi-tech industry. Don't sweat it.

 

[!Ay Que Fabulosa!]

I am in the same boat as you. I am 21 with no direction. I am also interested in philosophy (have taken intro to phil at 3 different schools before dropping out) and social studies. I recently entered back into school as a marketing major. I found out that it doesnt really matter what you degree is in; just that you have one. I want to use my mental catalogue of how people act and what they like/dislike to work in the advertising field. Here is list of the best advice I have found over the last couple years contemplating the same things:1. It is a miracle to find a career that you love and will enjoy throughout your life. It is hard to find a job that you even like. 2. Be happy with a job your part-way like and use your freetime to pursuit your hobbies b/c even though you love gardening, building things, playing an instrument, etc you probably cant make a healthy living with those things throughout your life.3. Money really isn't everything... I have met some very happy broke-a$$ed people in my life and some mean miserable sons of bicthes who make millions4. Maybe you should delay the 9 to 5er job that will inevitably get old after around 30 yrs to enjoy being young for a couple more years 5. Some of the most palatible jobs out there are ones that change everyday or just often enough to keep you from getting insanely bored (Plus for sales: even though the process mights get old, the job is different with every lead/client)6. Most 30/40/even many 50 year old dont know what the want to for the rest of their lives so stop trying to make yourself decide right now. This may sound scary but maybe you should look into becoming a high school teacher in a like sociology or history. Many school districts in America will pay for your school if you sign up to teach there for X # of years after graduation. Teachers dont get paid much but they get summer breaks to pursuit their passions and travel. The benefits are pretty good. You get new students every year so you get to talk with many different people also every student lies to every teachers face. Maybe the reason you hated teacher was because you saw their inadequecies as avoidable. This way you get to be the teacher that told the students how life really is and wouldnt settle for the "b/c thats the way it is" line. Sorry for the long response but good luck.

 

[philjr]

Just meditate on these words"to take Philosophy or not to take Philosophy....that is the question"