Philosophy is all about the here and now -- we help students develop the reasoning and analytical skills necessary to grapple with real-world contemporary problems.
The analytic and critical skills students develop as a result of grappling with philosophical problems are applicable to decisions that must be made, for example, in industry, debates on public policy, medical ethics, law, and education. On a more personal level, the study of philosophy can help you to understand yourself as a thinking, acting being. Socrates said that "the unexamined life is not worth living." He meant especially to include self-examination. What beliefs are important to you, and how rationally defensible are those beliefs? What principles do you cite for the actions you perform, and do those principles stand up to scrutiny?