Do you think philosophy is useful?

I (Ms) am a philosophy major, nearing the end of my degree. I recognise that as a philosophy major, I have a bias, but here are some of my thoughts: Philosophy has been so valuable for me. I honestly think I’ve become a better person. I know that’s a lofty claim, and hard to quantify/qualify, but I really feel that it’s true. Philosophy has given me so many tools—I can think more critically, and I’m more confident in my opinions now. It’s allowed me to really examine my own beliefs. It’s genuinely helped me become a more empathetic person. I feel like philosophy has helped me to make better decisions, and has overall made life a lot easier. It’s absolutely changed my outlook on life, but for the better. <br><br>However, I am constantly getting asked the inevitable question, “Why does that matter?” “How will that help you outside of academia?” And I’ve come to the conclusion that a lot of people just think that philosophy isn’t useful in the real world. I know that the word “useful” can be subjective, but I personally disagree. I think philosophy is incredibly useful, in the real world, and in everyday life.<br><br>What are your thoughts on the matter?