The Ultimate Playbook for Your Brain: Why a Philosophy Major Could Be Your Secret Weapon

We all know training is key to athletic success, but a new study suggests that your academic pursuits can provide a competitive edge. A recent study, published in the Journal of the American Philosophical Association, found that students who major in philosophy may improve their thinking skills more than those in any other major. This isn’t a self-serving conclusion by philosophers; the research drew from a dataset of over a half-million U.S. undergraduates across 800 institutions. The data included results from standardized tests such as the SAT, LSAT, and GRE, as well as surveys measuring intellectual traits like curiosity and open-mindedness.

The study found that a student’s initial aptitude for thinking may make them more inclined to major in philosophy. For example, a one standard deviation increase in SAT verbal score corresponded with a 57% increased chance of majoring in philosophy. However, the researchers also found a direct link between the major and a measurable increase in mental acuity. When controlling for a student’s prior test scores, they found that philosophy majors still scored significantly higher than non-philosophy majors on the GRE verbal and LSAT. On average, philosophy majors scored 33 points higher on the GRE verbal and two points higher on the LSAT than other majors.

But this major is about more than just standardized test scores. The study also found that philosophy majors came in first for “Habits of Mind,” which measures traits such as

curiosity, intellectual rigor, and intellectual humility. They also scored high on the “Pluralistic Orientation” survey, which measures open-mindedness. These are the kinds of mental strengths that help you adapt to a changing game plan, stay calm under pressure, and learn from every win and loss.

While researchers say the study is pivotal, they also believe there is a long way to go in terms of learning how philosophy students actually use their knowledge in the real world. As the researchers noted, “it is one thing to form sharp, analytical thinkers, and quite another to cultivate intellectually virtuous citizens inclined to use their minds responsibly in service of the common good”.

For a student-athlete, the mental skills gained from a philosophy major could be the ultimate advantage in both your academic pursuits and your professional career after the game is over.