AJ asked:

I began my interest in philosophy the beginning of the school year. I am in my senior year of public
high school and I am taking a class called global perspectives. In this class we learn about and
identify "myths" in our society. We have read a Daniel Quinn book called Ishmael and I have read
Sidartha and several various articles from a wide range.

I have noticed throughout the year that some people are not able to talk about these things on the
same level as I because they are not very intelligent... I started to talk about this with my best friend
who is very open minded. So I began to search for more open-minded people I could talk to, and I
found that open- minded people are very receptive and are able to come up with good thoughts in
discussion situations. I am also accepted to college and I'm going to major in Engineering. However I
was thinking of philosophy or some type of theoretical mathematics to get a PhD in. What do you
think about my career options and my thoughts?

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I'd say that if your college allows it, that you should take a wide variety of courses in mathematics,
philosophy, and the sciences (and yes, in the arts) for the first year or even two years, and find out
just what you're most interested and talented in... and go with that. You won't make nearly the money
in math and particularly in philosophy that you'd make in engineering, I can tell you. But if it's what
you reallywant to do... do it.

Steven Ravett Brown

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