Why Study Religion, Philosophy and Ethics?

Philosophy seems more popular in Schools than ever. [As noted HERE by Nigel Warburton]

In Scotland, the Herald newspaper has considered this – causing a number of its online readers to comment HERE about the value of philosophy. The comments are worth a glance as they reveal something of the public attitude to philosophy.

I wanted to ask our students (and other readers) to comment as to:

• Whether there was any value in studying philosophy (to both individuals and society in general)
• Whether academic disciplines such as Philosophy and Religious Studies should have to demonstrate a ‘usefulness’ in order to be considered worthwhile
• What reasons motivate individuals to study these subjects. [See HERE for previous posts on this topic]
• Why has there been such a rise in the numbers studying Religious Studies and Philosophy (often including ethics) at AS/A2 (‘A’ level to older people like me) here in the UK?