Alessio asked:

I was advised to study Philosophy at university by a teacher at my college. I have started to read on
the subject and feel that I will find it very interesting. But I know that philosophy will not provide me
with happiness or answers, rather frustration and more questions. So can I ask you as a philosopher,
what have you personally achieved and gained from studying philosophy?

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There are two alternative lives I might have lived, as a research chemist, and as a photojournalist.
(See The Glass House Philosopher.) If I put the three lives side-by-side, my actual life and my two
possible lives, am I better off for having made the choice that I made? Is it ever possible to make that
kind of assessment?

Let's not talk about being 'better off'. We are dealing with things that are incommensurable. I
discovered that philosophy was the thing I needed to do, more than I needed to do anything else. And
that is really the point. Ifphilosophy is the thing you need to do, then that is sufficient justification. The
question of 'achievement' or 'gain' — even 'happiness' — doesn't come into it.

That is why I would strongly urge againstyour choosing philosophy on your teacher's advice. Your
teacher is no doubt well meaning. Perhaps you have produced good work in philosophy, and shown
that you have a real talent for the subject. However, that is not sufficient reason for choosing
philosophy in favour of another subject that you feel you would like to do more. There are plenty of
people who have the mental qualities suited for the study of philosophy who are still better off doing
something else.

Geoffrey Klempner