Philosophy is a branch of study that focuses on the universal understanding of reality. In addition, it actually draws on perspectives of great philosophers, everything that has been learned in different major branches of study and on the significant points of view embodied in man’s common ways of thinking.

All philosophers tackle a wide range of challenging, deep and extremely important matters such as the following:

• Nature of one’s self and individual personality
• God’s existence and non-existence
• Time and its nature
• The human mind
• Language
• Science
• The human knowledge (its sources and limits)
• The good life and its nature
• The state authority and its foundations
• Social justice and its requirements
• Art and its nature
• Aesthetics and beauty

All of the things mentioned above are discussed not by reference to the usual information alone but through analysis, argument, fusion, the construction as well as the assessment of theories about philosophy.

The fundamental interest of students to the subject matter is what attracts them to study philosophy. However, studying philosophy also has excellent benefits. Both major and minor subjects in philosophy are practiced by closely understanding every bit of information read, by carefully analyzing and evaluating arguments, through original but creative way of thinking and persuasive but precise communication of thoughts.

The skills that are acquired by students are not only sources of profound individual satisfaction but they can also be applied to any line of work. Moreover, students will realize that philosophy is particularly effective in improving educational skills.

As a matter of fact, all philosophy major students (as a group) received excellent scores on their Law School Admissions Tests (LSAT), MBA programs admissions tests and Graduate Record Exams (GRE).

Take into consideration, for example, the Graduate Record Exam general test which is administered by the ETS or Education Testing Service. This type of test consist of three sections namely Verbal Reasoning, Analytic Writing and Quantitative Reasoning. The Education Testing Service (ETS) publishes a lot of statistics concerning the exams including the average scores received by the student in every section. This statistic is taken from fifty different intended gradate major courses.

The test showed that philosophy students ranked 1^st in Verbal Reasoning as well as in Analytical Writing. In Quantitative Reasoning, philosophy ranked 15^th and still ahead of other non-mathematical courses. 

If the fifty different courses are arranged according to the average of the three ranking, then it is obvious that philosophy will be ranked first and then followed by mathematical courses physics and astronomy.

Studying philosophy truly helps develop a person’s intellectual skills that, in general, are necessary for any particular line of work.  If philosophy is pursued properly, it enhances critical, analytical and interpretative abilities that are applicable to any subject matter as well as in any human affair.

Philosophy develops a person’s capacity and desire to express and reflect about himself and to argue or exchange ideas with somebody. Furthermore, that person will yearn for constant learning as well as deal with problems in a very positive manner. Also, the study of philosophy helps prepare a student should he or she wants to be more involved with community development and even politics. If you will notice, most philosophy students have the capacity to get involved in public affairs intelligently and responsibly.  

To sum it all up, the study of philosophy enhances one’s intellectual skills, making a person a better thinker, writer, speaker and listener. Indeed, taking up Philosophy as a college major or second subject is indeed a very good option. More than developing any practical skill, however, most students who study philosophy do so for the simple love of this very interesting subject.