Philosophy

Purpose

The field of philosophy is an educational discipline that examines all fundamental questions of humanity regarding existence, being, the surrounding world, and the nature of humanity. These questions often relate to religious and spiritual values, known as religious philosophy, or to moral values and the foundations of ethics, referred to as ethical philosophy. Sometimes, it encompasses the foundations of political systems, known as political philosophy, and can also include the foundations of art and aesthetics, among other topics.

In the Bachelor’s program in philosophy, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the history of Western philosophy, tracing its development from ancient Greek philosophy to the present day. They also study the historical development of Islamic philosophy and explore fundamental concepts and issues within Islamic philosophy, including its responses to core philosophical questions. Additionally, students examine important philosophers throughout history and explore subfields such as philosophy of religion, ethics, philosophy of science, epistemology, and various philosophical issues, including comparative philosophies.

Nature

To define philosophy, it is helpful to explain its difference from other sciences, as other disciplines focus on specific aspects of existence. For instance, a botanist studies only plants, while an astronomer examines celestial bodies. In contrast, philosophy does not limit itself to a selected subject but rather investigates all matters in existence, dealing with everything from God to humanity, the natural world to the supernatural, and from the human spirit and immaterial beings to physical objects.

Another distinction of philosophy from other sciences is its focus on general and universal issues applicable to any being. For example, the question of whether a being is material or immaterial can apply to anything, from God to a rock. These two fundamental differences enable philosophy to address questions that no specific discipline, particularly empirical sciences, can answer. For example, questions like whether non-material beings exist beyond what we observe, whether humans are limited to their physical existence, and whether the entirety of existence relies on a creator or is self-sufficient are not addressed by sciences, as these disciplines do not cover such inquiries.

Questions like these are inherently important to curious minds, and one cannot instruct individuals to refrain from thinking about them. Instead, there is a need for a specific knowledge base that can address these questions, and philosophy fulfills that role. Philosophy provides answers to fundamental questions that shape each person's worldview. Thus, the notion that philosophy is a superfluous and useless discipline, and that all of humanity's intellectual and scientific needs can be met by empirical sciences alone, is incorrect; rather, the need for philosophy is an intrinsic requirement of the human mind.

Required Skills and Recommendations

Academic Ability: Strong mathematics skills, as mathematics serves as a suitable bridge to philosophy.
Physical Ability: A philosopher should possess both mental power and creativity.
Interests: An intrinsic interest in philosophy to seek answers to questions like cause and effect in the universe is essential. A foundational understanding of mathematics and related topics is beneficial, as those who are mentally agile and creative, along with a passion for the subject, are more likely to succeed in philosophy.

Continuing Education

Currently, opportunities for continuing education up to the Bachelor's level exist in Afghanistan. Students can pursue further studies at the Master’s and Doctoral levels through personal investment or scholarships.

Job Market and Career Prospects

Philosophy graduates typically have two career paths: teaching philosophy as a professor or working in research centers such as encyclopedias and human sciences research institutes. However, these positions often require advanced degrees (Master’s or Doctorate). A Bachelor’s degree holder can work as a research assistant in some of these centers if they are proactive and interested. Unfortunately, despite its importance, this field has been neglected in our society, to the extent that graduates struggle to find positions in education, which is the most common employment avenue for philosophy graduates. Graduates from other fields often take on the role of teaching philosophy in educational institutions.

While all human sciences are fundamentally based on philosophical thought, and other disciplines begin where philosophy leaves off, every individual should find answers to their fundamental questions—related to the nature of life, the reasons for actions, the continuation of existence, and the morality of various actions—within philosophy. However, the basic needs of graduates from this field are often overlooked, and they face various challenges.