Philosophy: Great for thinking, not for eating

In recent years, the world has seen a growing celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology-driven careers. Theology, too, continues to hold a respectable space within institutions and communities. Yet philosophy, once considered the foundation of critical thinking and intellectual progress, finds itself increasingly left behind. While it nurtures the mind, it seems to offer little in terms of material or professional security. The question that often arises, sometimes with quiet concern and sometimes with subtle humor, is this: What does one do with a philosophy degree, apart from thinking?
Many young graduates enter the study of philosophy with great passion, discipline, and hope. After years of dedicated learning, they emerge with a deep understanding of ethics, logic, and the human condition, expecting reasonably to find meaningful work. But the reality they face is often disappointing. Jobs in academia are rare and highly competitive, and other sectors often fail to recognize the value of philosophical training. These graduates are left in a difficult position – highly educated, yet uncertain about where their knowledge fits into the larger landscape of employment and service.
They say philosophy teaches you how to think critically, question everything, and contemplate the deeper meaning of existence, which is all very impressive until you find yourself doing all that while staring into an empty fridge. After years of wrestling with Plato, Aristotle, and Kant, many philosophy graduates come face to face with their toughest riddle yet: how to pay rent with a degree that excels in ideas but not in income. It’s not that the subject lacks value; it’s that society hasn’t figured out how to value thinkers beyond the classroom. Philosophy: Great for Thinking, Not for Eating – a phrase that gently captures the quiet dilemma many philosophy graduates face today. Career options are limited, institutional support is rare, and the search for stability often feels like a search for shelter in a world that hasn’t built space for thinkers. While others step confidently into structured professions, philosophy graduates are often left navigating a landscape where opportunity seems more theoretical than practical.
A degree holder in philosophy often feels like a refugee, wandering from place to place in search of employment, seeking jobs that rarely exist, and hoping for opportunities that never quite arrive. It’s easy to claim that philosophy offers several career options, but the reality on the ground tells a different story. While it’s commonly said that philosophy graduates can enter fields such as law, marketing, psychology, policy analysis, and even journalism, the truth is more complicated. In most cases, these jobs are reserved for those with specialized degrees in those respective fields. A philosophy degree may provide transferable skills like critical thinking and clear communication, but employers tend to prefer candidates with direct, field-specific training.
Yes, it is true that philosophy is excellent for developing thought and reflection, but not necessarily for securing a livelihood. In a world where the basic needs of life – roti, kapda, aur makaan (food, clothing, and shelter) – are essential for dignity and survival, intellectual pursuits alone are often not enough to sustain a stable and meaningful life. While philosophy nurtures the mind and sharpens our understanding of values, justice, and existence, its graduates still live in a real world that demands financial stability and social inclusion. The disconnect lies not in the discipline but in the lack of institutional and societal support that helps translate this rich knowledge into meaningful work. What we need is not less philosophy, but more effort to integrate it meaningfully into public life, through interdisciplinary roles, policy-making, education, ethics in technology, and critical media engagement. By building structures that allow philosophy graduates to contribute practically and professionally, we also build a society that values both thought and livelihood. After all, a truly progressive nation is one that can feed both the body and the mind. And for that, it must not let its thinkers go hungry – literally or metaphorically.
Dr. Avothung Ezung
Post-Doctoral Fellow (ICPR)
Dept. of Philosophy
NEHU, Shillong