Who needs a philosophy when you have money?

Chad Strawderman Arizona Daily Wildcat

Instead of trying to improve their minds, incoming freshmen are now more concerned with how to get the big bucks. When the surveys began in 1966, the "importance of developing a meaningful philosophy in life" was chosen as the top value by over 80 percent of the respondents. Last year, however, the number who chose the philosophical life dropped to barely 40 percent. Compare that to the percentage who considered being very well-off financially as essential or very important: almost 75.

What has skewed people's visions so much that the most important objective is to be financially well-off? What ever happened to the arts, to cherishing life and all that it has to offer? Is money the only thing that really matters?

Or could this be a reflection of the grade inflation which is so prominent in high schools? Do easy grades mean easy expected earnings? With freshman feeling that the chief benefit of college is to "increase one's earning power," is it no wonder that freshman have become inured and feel that success in life is owed to them?

Sarah Parrott, an education research analyst at UCLA, explained that within the survey, all financial issues have increased in importance for freshman. The interesting point that the survey revealed was the increased influence of television on future job choices and world views. Parrott explained that when "Dynasty" and "Dallas" were top shows, many students wanted to be business men; when the top show was "L. A. Law," the choice of pre-law increased. Now, in the late 1990s, the major of choice is pre-med, possible due to "E/R" and "Chicago Hope." The impact that television has had on freshman is that high-end careers and money have become important goals.

As an adviser at the Freshman Year Center, Kim Gunn, a graduate assistant in higher education, has also noticed the changes in freshman values. From her experience in the center, she has noticed that a lot of students are pre-med. One of the questions the center does ask undecided freshman, however, is whether money is a major factor in choosing a major. From Gunn's experience, students tend to be more concerned with the number of years spent at the university.

In my own informal survey of 14 freshmen, I found that the results at the UA were similar to the UCLA report. The men I surveyed had results almost identical, while women seemed to be a little more altruistic and philosophical. Of the eight women respondents, over 50 percent chose to "develop a meaningful philosophy of life" as one of their top choices. Also, in the comment section, the women made it a point to explain that they view college as a growing experience, in body and mind.

Pretty scary, isn't it? Now, however, my whole life makes sense. No wonder I have been 'lost' at the university. I came to the University of Arizona to find out about myself, to figure out what is important to me. This explains a lot: the philosophy major and the six years (or so) as an undergraduate.

The world has changed into a depressing place. Incoming freshman seem to no longer care about developing any philosophies in life, but only care about the almighty dollar. Freshman are no longer gaining their views in life from school or home, but rather are trying to emulate the television. Is it no wonder that the top choices for professions are law, business and medicine? What ever happened to philosophy, education, humanities? Or, as the nation enters the 21st century, are we to become intellectually stunted?

Jeremy Pepper is a philosophy senior. His column, 'Dash of Pepper,' appears every other Thursday.

By Jeremy Pepper
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 27, 1997