Can you rebel by conforming?
You can rebel by conforming.
Joseph Heath
Joseph Heath of the Department of Philosophy thinks we all do.
In his book, co-authored with Andrew Potter, The Rebel Sell: Why the Culture Can't Be Jammed, Professor Heath critiques the countercultural ideology that's been a part of our society for over 40 years. He argues every generation's rebels — all the way from the hippies of yesteryear to the "thugs" of today — don't actually undermine the system at all.
In fact, they are the "system". Put another way, culture jamming doesn't stick it to the man but rather it's one of the most powerful forces driving consumer capitalism since the "flower power" days of the 1960s.
Rebels — members of the so-called counterculture — in their attempts to be subversive actually create new segments of the market: more shoes, more music, more everything. For example, listening to an obscure new band is much cooler than enjoying songs in constant rotation on the radio. But once too many people start enjoying the band, it forces the early adopters to find the next obscure band to order to preserve their social superiority. It is in fact, their need to have the coolest new things — music, shoes, clothes — that feeds the consumer machine and the conformity it hopes to destroy.
Sound interesting?
Maybe philosophy could be your way to answer the world's questions — or just your own. Philosophy is for the student who isn't happy without asking — and trying to understand — why.
| WHY STUDY? |
|---|
| Philosophy |
| VISIT THE: |
| Department of Philosophy |
Students studying philosophy learn that the discipline takes no belief for granted, but examines the foundations of the principles that make up our fundamental views of the world. Philosophers think about these beliefs as thoroughly and systematically as possible, using methods of conceptual analysis, reasoning, and detailed description.
Course content includes both lectures and small group discussions, and the emphasis is placed on developing critical reading and writing skills.
First-year students are encouraged to enroll in the introductory course which introduces the central branches of philosophy, such as: logic, theory of knowledge, metaphysics, ethics and political philosophy. The course is concerned with such questions as: What is sound reasoning? What can we know? What is ultimately real? Is morality rational? Do humans have free will? Is there a God?
And, to answer a question common to many curious parents, what exactly can you do with a degree in philosophy?
The answer is, a lot.
Philosophy majors are both disciplined and imaginative. A degree in the discipline provides basic skills in logical thinking and analysis, familiarity with major moral outlooks and problems, and an overview of human existence and reality.
In addition, philosophy — especially formal and informal logic with their emphasis on argument — is excellent preparation for law school.
Philosophy is also preparation for graduate study and teaching, and many businesses and organizations hire philosophy students because of their training in critical analysis and argumentation.
