Math Courses

[brettmullga]

Have you all found that taking math courses makes doing Philosophy easier? In my experience, picking up some of the language and ideas of mathematics, sets, relations, etc., has led to better structured work. Obviously, there's significant overlap with logic. 

 

Do Philosophy adcoms care about proof based math courses?

[Hopephily]

I would imagine it depends on your area of interest. Given that you're doing formal epistemology and logic, it might be a plus to have a strong background in math. Of course, this isn't going to necessarily compensate for other weak portions of your application (if you have them). 

[greencoloredpencil]

I used to be a math major and I've found that my background has helped me quite a bit. I am interested in very analytic areas of philosophy though.

[greencoloredpencil]

I would imagine it depends on your area of interest. Given that you're doing formal epistemology and logic, it might be a plus to have a strong background in math. Of course, this isn't going to necessarily compensate for other weak portions of your application (if you have them). 

 

I'd like to add to this, however, that having a strong mathematics background could help compensate for a low GRE math score. Otherwise I agree.

[DHumeDominates]

Have you all found that taking math courses makes doing Philosophy easier? In my experience, picking up some of the language and ideas of mathematics, sets, relations, etc., has led to better structured work. Obviously, there's significant overlap with logic. 

 

Do Philosophy adcoms care about proof based math courses?

 

Are you applying next year? Please say you aren't. Otherwise it's way too early to be poking around Grad Cafe!

Edited January 21, 2014 by DHumeDominates

[Table]

I do think some math background can make parts of philosophy easier, though like others have said, it varies by area. I really recommend Eric Steinhart's More Precisely: The Math You Need to Do Philosophy for people with limited math experience. It's great. 

 

As for whether admissions committees care... I would guess that many people take extensive math background as evidence that a person will do well in logic, etc. Like others have said, how much this matters presumably depends on your areas.

One of my applications did have a section asking for math experience. Maybe USC, but I don't really remember. And I have no idea if that was specifically for the philosophy department or just a question on the general graduate school app.

[SelfHatingPhilosopher]

Are you applying next year? Please say you aren't. Otherwise it's way too early to be poking around Grad Cafe!

Meh. I started paying attention to philosophy grad admissions on thegradcafe when I was in High School.

[brettmullga]

Are you applying next year? Please say you aren't. Otherwise it's way too early to be poking around Grad Cafe!

 

I graduate in May and am applying for Fall 2015. I'm going to spend the next year trying to claw my way out of debt. With that being said, I do agree!

[wandajune]

I took a math seminar about infinity a while back, and I've found a lot of what I learned to be helpful in my philosophy classes. No idea what adcoms would care about, but I would imagine that they would care far, far less about your performance in a math course than performance in your philosophy courses. 

[brettmullga]

I do think some math background can make parts of philosophy easier, though like others have said, it varies by area. I really recommend Eric Steinhart's More Precisely: The Math You Need to Do Philosophy for people with limited math experience. It's great. 

 

As for whether admissions committees care... I would guess that many people take extensive math background as evidence that a person will do well in logic, etc. Like others have said, how much this matters presumably depends on your areas.

One of my applications did have a section asking for math experience. Maybe USC, but I don't really remember. And I have no idea if that was specifically for the philosophy department or just a question on the general graduate school app.

 

Agreed. Steinhart's book is a great introduction!