A friend recently asked, what could a person do with a PhD in Philosophy if he didn’t want to work in academia? I suggested opening a business as a freelance philosopher, and pitching his services to businesses, individuals, businesses, schools, doing public lectures, etc.
I always thought it would be really cool to be a Freelance Philosopher and provide services to individuals, companies, schools and governments as such. Many, many issues, in life – personal, professional, organizational – come down to moral or ethical quandaries. Philosophers, especially those with a focus on moral philosophy, have a lot to offer in this regard. These questions often end with “What should I do? What should we do?” They’re often questions of subjective right/wrong, and could make a huge impact on one’s life.
Maodou Needs a Home
How would one do this? You certainly wouldn’t be the first to do it. Others already have. Print up a business card that says, “Philosopher” on it. Make website and brochure with your services listed. Then advertise like hell and visit companies and schools to pitch your services. You could lecture, for a fee, on certain topics of use to schools, governments, companies. You could give back to the community and build your reputation by providing free lectures and talks at community centers, schools, etc. Of course, you would probably join the group for freelance philosophers on LinkedIn.
And, if one actually did this for a couple years, he or she would then build up a wealth of experience of applied philosophy, or practical philosophy, in that they could start to see the results and impact of their consulting services with their clients.
BUT, WHY IS THERE A BIG DOG NOSE IN THIS POST?
Maodou, the dog above, is not a freelance philosopher, but she needs a home, so those of you Beijingers with a space in your heart and home, click on her awesomely cute nose to see more photos of Maodou at IdogIcat. (If you can’t read Chinese, just contact me for more details
