I picked up a Philosopher at the airport a few days ago. I’ve picked up lots of folks spouting philosophy in my almost ten years of Ubering. Why, I believe I’ve uttered quite a few tidbits of philosophy myself, almost always unprompted!
This gentleman was official, though. One of his interests is the Philosophy of Cognitive Science, and stuff like that. He was attending a Philosophy conference at Pensacola Beach. Three days of discussions and suntans with attendees from all kinds of professions/careers!
I told him I had extensive experience in the philosophical arena, since my oldest granddaughter, Leila, is majoring in philosophy at Florida State University. I reiterated my “grandfatherly” question to Leila when she told me her curriculum choice.
“Are you going to open a philosophy store when you graduate?” My granddaughter laughed at my “Dad-joke – one generation removed.”
My learned rider didn’t leave it there. The lesson began.
“I advise my students to earn a double degree to maximize the benefits of philosophy study.” He included law, business studies, teaching, medicine, and a plethora of other fields. (I think writing ‘plethora’ makes me sound more philosophical, don’t you think?)
I have to admit, my last formal exposure to philosophy came from my high school class taught by Father Hay, a Catholic priest at McGill Institute, more than fifty years ago. I still remember three logic concepts from that class.
- A thing is what it is!
- A thing cannot be and not be at the same time!
- Either it is raining, or it isn’t raining. It isn’t raining; therefore, it is raining.
The first two concepts have proven to be truisms for me throughout my life. I still have no idea about the third one, but that could just be me. (I’m pretty sure that’s the way Father Hay said it. If not, it’s still fun to say!)
The more my philosopher-rider explained the makeup of the attendees and how much he was looking forward to the days of discussion he was about to experience, the more I wondered how my life would have differed if I had chosen that path.
Maybe I should have taken his advice and embarked upon a double major. My degree in Transportation would have paired nicely with Philosophy. After all, I’ve turned these years of Ubering into a hotbed of philosophical discussions with my learned riders. A little education couldn’t have hurt, right?
(Truth be told, I was fortunate to get through college with a single major. I had two minors: Fraternity and Football Fanaticism!)
My granddaughter, Leila, is fully capable of choosing an accompanying major. My professor-rider assured me that Florida State has an amazing Philosophy program.
I reminded him that the University of Alabama exercises one of the most effective and important philosophies embodied in the phrase, “Beat Everyone!” (And yes, I do understand that our football programs are 1-1 against each other in the last two years.)
Maybe this old Uber driver learned something about philosophy after all — and something about Leila’s choice. Heck, I’ll even proudly man the front desk of that ‘Philosophy Store’!
God Bless,
Tommy (Boompa)