Ryan Jung
- What do you like about studying philosophy at Harvard? There’s a place for nearly everything in philosophy. I’ve met peers interested in topics ranging from philosophy of language to global governance to animal ethics; it’s truly humbling to learn about how folks arrived at their philosophical interests and makes for lively discussions inside and outside the classroom. Likewise, philosophy has a place for everyone, as I’ve discovered teaching ethics and political philosophy to K-12 students. Bringing out students’ innate curiosity (remember repeating “Why?” to your parents constantly?) about the world and their place in it encourages me to hold steadfast to that curious, reflective orientation at school and beyond. At Harvard in particular, I appreciate the department’s emphasis on collaboration. I’m grateful for the times when classmates helped me get a better handle on logic and gave me the space to explain some concepts I was more confident in (shoutout PHIL 3 and PHIL 4). The teaching fellows are second to none, graciously giving up hours of their time to explain tricky concepts and review drafts of essays. Professors are always happy to recommend further reading, clarify puzzling concepts from class, and take the time to learn more about you as a student and budding philosopher. As I found my way into the concentration, the professors who took a few extra minutes to ask me what else I was learning that semester and what interested me about philosophy made me so much more excited – and importantly, comfortable – with calling the department home.
- House: Cabot House
- Concentration: Social Studies and Philosophy (joint), secondary in Educational Studies
- Other Concentrations Considered: Government and pure math!
- Courses Taken: PHIL 3 (The True and the Good), PHIL 4 (Logic I), PHIL 177 (Educational Justice), EDUS105 (Philosophy of Education), Safra Undergraduate Ethics Seminar
- Thesis: I'm planning to write about continental approaches to philosophy of education. Other Interests / Notes: Always happy to talk about pre-college philosophy programming in Boston and applications of political theory!