got philosophy?

I decided to major in Philosophy after diving into many different areas of interest because I had a passion for thinking, for introspection, 'for asking why and answering why'. In my graduating class there were less than 50 majors of this uncommon subject.

My office is very small and we share a kitchen with a few other small offices on the same floor. Because I am only an intern at this point and I spend nights awake dreaming of permanent federal employment, I make a concerted effort to get outside of my small office every so often to spontaneously introduce myself to random people that might actually not be important at all. On one such adventure I met a woman in our kitchen and she was a spritely one, oh yes. She asked about my background and if I was still in school. Bear in mind, the Federal Government on-boards some infinitely interesting and mentally challenged individuals.

Asshole Woman: "Are you still in school? What's your major?"

Me: "Oh, I just graduated. I majored in Philosophy."

Asshole Woman: "Oh...you must be an atheist...ugh."

She then proceeds to make small talk and walk away. This is not the first time I have gotten this response and of course it prompts me to direct a clear explanation of my own educational choice to an audience of no one in particular. Let's consider some definitions...dictionaries are the best friend to a perfect ignorant person.

Philosophy above all else is the development of rationale or the rational approach to the examination of the everyday thinking processes of human beings. This includes but is not limited to conduct, ethics, and morals. No, we Philosophers do not give advice about family planning. I like to think of it in terms of Psychology being the chemical, scientific side of things while Philosophy is the raw thinking side.

Enough of me explicating definitions, I am sure you can read the above web link yourself. I must say though, one of my favorite definitions has to be "Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline" while the one that absolutely does not and will never apply to me has to be "a philosophical attitude, as one of composure and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances." Yea...that might be total bullshit actually.

Where in the there does it even implicitly indicate that Philosophers work to disprove the existence of God? I jumped ahead of myself...where/how does Philosophy convey that it majorly examines religion at all? I am stymied by this woman's jump from seemingly average intelligence to presumptuous absurdity.

I feel compelled to give my testimony, imagine that. I did take a class at UVa that covered the countless theories about God and focused on the structure of these theories and the arguments used to endorse them rather than the conversion of faithful holy rollers to devilish servants of sin and debauchery. No really. There was no burning of crosses, I promise. Apparently, God is a selfish god and advises humans to walk in blind faith; trust in God's capacity to handle life's burdens and utilize his wisdom to guide decision making. This is in accordance with the Bible.

From a philosopher's standpoint, in terms of human rationale which is starkly different from human faith, the existence of a being that we must trust and believe in but never see or speak to, is a difficult existence to defend. Philosophers are interested in how to prove, argue for, and substantiate their beliefs as well as researching the assertions made by others. I am really smart and I am assuming that no philosophers will ever read this...so I’m speaking in very simple terms to accommodate you...yes, I am just that considerate. Because of the skills to examine thought Philosophers become qualified and passionate about intelligence and communication. This explains why all Human Resource departments (in the public and private sector) suck; no one in your HR office, that's if you even have one, actually gives a shit about effective communication, they just need that paycheck. Philosophers should be steadily employed but they are not because this field is not regarded with the same prestige as that of Investment Banking or Consulting. No one thinks that I worked just as hard as a Commerce major to earn my degree in "learning how to think", otherwise known as "learning how not to be an utterly sadistic douchebag". That's right, the state of the world's economy could be helped...with Philosophy. (If you are an employer, send me your vacancy announcements, thanks.)

I already know I am going to hell but still I won’t go into my beliefs about God here. Among the several traits that God (the creator) endowed humans with, curiosity is the most frustrating yet fruitful. I’m not an atheist, I am just a passionate intellectual…doing none other than what God would condone, no?