Reasons to Donate to Philosophy

A recent donation by a billionaire investor challenges the common perception that philosophy is impractical and disconnected with the pursuit of economic gains. Bill Miller gave $75 million to the philosophy department at Johns Hopkins University, saying that philosophy benefitted him incredibly as an investor.

Marco Rubio once said in his campaign trail, America’s economy needs “more welders and less philosophers.” A recent donation by a billionaire Wall Street investor challenges the common perception that philosophy is impractical and disconnected with the pursuit of economic gains. Value investor Bill Miller gave $75 million to the philosophy department at Johns Hopkins University, where he was once a PhD student. Miller claims that philosophy has benefitted him incredibly as an investor.

This is the largest gift a university’s philosophy department has ever received; however, it comes short of the amount STEM programs receive. As the world confronts more complex problems, some think that philosophy holds the key to illuminating humanity’s vision. What are some other reasons to give to philosophy? 

Read more here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/16/arts/bill-miller-75-million-gift-philosophy-johns-hopkins.html

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