If you’re doing this search, it means you are interested in choosing this as a course of study, and you want to see your chances in the career pool, or you are already a philosophy graduate and trying to figure out a career path. This article is aimed at helping you make the right choice for your future.
Where can a Philosopher Work in Nigeria?
A philosophy graduate in Nigeria can work in many different sectors. These include teaching, public relations, politics/public office, journalism, writing, psychology, religion and ministry, and psychotherapy.
What is Philosophy?
Philosophy is coined from two Greek words: ‘Philos,’ which means love, and ‘Sophia,’ which means Wisdom, put together, philosophy is simply the love of wisdom. Philosophy is aimed at understanding the nature of man, reality, and the origin of man. It questions how the human race came into existence and how knowledge is acquired. It seeks to make sense of reality as we know it.
A philosopher is a person who studies or practices philosophy.
Some of the world’s greatest philosophers who helped in shaping the history of philosophy
- Plato
- Aristotle
- Socrates
- Pythagoras
- Thales
- Rene Descartes
- David Hume
- Immanuel Kant
Philosophy is divided into four main branches
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that deals with the study of existence. It is mainly concerned with understanding when existence and reality began.
Axiology is a branch of philosophy that studies the value of things. It is concerned with classifying things that are good and how good they are. Axiology is divided into two parts Ethics and Aesthetics. Ethics is concerned with morals and principles, what is good and what is bad, and aesthetics, on the other hand, is more concerned with the beauty of things.
Epistemology: is the branch of philosophy that studies knowledge and how it is acquired. It studies how the mind relates to reality. It is concerned with finding out how being derives their knowledge.
Logic is a branch of philosophy that is concerned with the study of reasoning. It is concerned with discerning correct and incorrect thinking. It evaluates thoughts using arguments. It uses examples given to bring out reasonable conclusions.
As a philosophy student, you get to learn a bit of everything; you learn about history, ancient Greek history African history you are taught about the past, and how many have evolved through different eras. You learn to question things, and in doing so, you better understand the situation.
You are taught the philosophy of different works of life, philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and a variety of other aspects of life. You conduct research and do creative writing on different topics.
Some of the Skills you Acquire when you Study Philosophy
- Problem-solving
- Critical/ structural thinking
- Adaptability
- Persuasion
- Ability to conduct meaningful research
- Ability to make reasonable arguments
- Vast knowledge of different topics
- Communication
Can a Philosophers Work as a Lawyer in Nigeria
To become a lawyer in Nigeria, you must attend a university’s law program, attend law school, and pass the bar exam. With your background in philosophy, it makes it relatively easy for you to make this career change. Most of the skills acquired in philosophy are also vital for a career in law.
The law department requires a lot of research and the ability to make sound arguments, both of which are major aspects of philosophy. Therefore with your background in philosophy, you can easily venture into a law career.
Admission requirements for philosophy students in Nigeria
Philosophy is a four-year undergraduate program in the Faculty of Arts. To apply for the undergraduate program, you must have a minimum of 5 O’level credits in not more than two sittings. The subject combination for WAEC/NECO must include Mathematics, English language, and three other course-related subjects.
You must also meet the JAMB cut-off mark of your choice institution. The subject combination for JAMB is the Use of English, Literature In English, Christian Religious Knowledge, and Government.