Two stereotypes often come to mind when one thinks of a philosopher: the traditional fabulously-bearded old man in a toga from ancient Greece, or the scarf-wearing thinker who uses phrases like “pontificates” and “quantum-metaphysical” and “one iced matcha latte please.”
Though philosophy has gained a reputation for being the domain of the overly cerebral, at its heart, it guides us to ask the questions that challenge how we view the world around us.
Philosophy is often referred to as the “queen of the sciences,” and for good reason. The practice of philosophy starts with the fundamental desire to question, wonder, and understand.
The center of each academic subject—from biology to literature to calculus—begins with academic curiosity that fuels deeper examination.
Laguna’s Introduction to Philosophy instructor, James Savage, says that philosophy has given him “a lot more reverence for the learning process itself.”
This commentary on the respect for the beauty of learning reflects philosophy’s unique role in shaping not just how one studies, but how they can approach knowledge itself.
The four branches of philosophy are a testament to this spirit of intellectual curiosity. Metaphysics questions the nature of reality, ethics examines morality, logic teaches clear reasoning, and epistemology explores the nature of knowledge.
These branches together shape thinking in different ways while still collectively cultivating analytical curiosity.
It’s this curiosity that drives us to follow our thoughts wherever they lead.
“Wondering turns into precise questioning, which evolves into methods of investigation and experimentation, and eventually gives rise to the sciences, humanities, and all the other fields we study today,” Savage said.
This trickle-down effect demonstrates that philosophy is the core of inquiry and the formula for problem-solving across all disciplines.
Just like in mathematics or the scientific method, philosophy trains students to break problems down into smaller parts, approaching each section step by step.
As Savage jokingly put it, “Being married to a math teacher is also a pretty compelling reason to appreciate other subjects,” highlighting how philosophy can foster a broader respect for learning across fields.
The difference from math is that in philosophy, there is no ‘right answer.’ Instead of seeking out a singular correct or incorrect, students of philosophy learn to navigate ambiguity and build arguments based on logical reason rather than memorization.
“The goal is to teach you how to think, not what to think,” Savage said.
On the surface, this level of ambiguity can appear to negate the practical value of philosophy, but in actuality, it emphasizes it.
Wrestling with difficult questions amidst the lack of immediate answers strengthens skills like critical thinking and decision making by teaching students to evaluate, consider, and justify their viewpoints thoughtfully.
This isn’t to say that philosophy is a cycle of endless questioning.
In fact, senior Sage Holcombe disagrees with this most common stereotype: the claim that philosophy students “just contemplate ideas for the sake of contemplating ideas.”
Often people conflate philosophy with skepticism, yet they are two distinctly different practices. Skepticism is the practice of questioning the validity of claims, often withholding belief until exhaustive evidence is presented.
While both fields require questioning, they diverge in purpose.
The questions of a skeptic are based on doubt, but the questions of a philosopher are based on the desire to understand.
Philosophical inquiry gives students tools to move forward with clarity, and, while it may take time to get there, leads them to conclusions that are earned rather than assumed.
“Philosophy has helped me come to a lot of conclusions about my life and my actions,” Sage said, adding that, in particular, Marcus Aurelius’ stoic philosophy of accepting what one cannot control has helped her “ignore turmoil and focus on goals.”
But, if philosophy is already at the core of every academic subject, why should anyone elect to take it in high school?
Studying philosophy provides students with the opportunity to examine the intellectual engine behind all their other subjects.
Rather than just learning what past thinkers discovered, philosophy teaches students to understand how they arrived at their discoveries and what they sought to know in the first place.
“It makes you more critical of the world around you, and of the ideas of the people you interact with,” Savage said, arguing that philosophy fosters the habit of active and participatory thinking rather than passive absorption of information.
In many ways, high school is the perfect place to start studying philosophy. Students are forming identities, encountering new ideas, and preparing for their next step into the real world.
Before committing to a major, a career, or long-term worldviews, a philosophy class offers students the opportunity to build foundational knowledge rather than make assumptions.
Essentially, philosophy fosters intellectual independence, empowering students to make informed, thoughtful decisions based on their beliefs and values.
Though it may seem a little performative at first, philosophy proves itself to be less about snobbery and more about clear thinking… but if students do walk away with the ability to pull out some huge words to simultaneously confuse and impress everyone around them, that’s not too bad of a deal either.