The US article opines:
Philosophers don’t get much love in a world focused on earnings, public profile and technical accomplishment.
In today's Western societies naturalism and empiricism are, in a touch of irony, I suppose, philosophically connected to the vital, essential scientific and medical, academic disciplines.
Positivism
British philosopher, Blackburn writes that within philosophy this view holds that the highest or only form of knowledge can be known through sensory perception. This is a version of empiricism. It focuses on optimism from the hopes of science and originated in the 19th century and relates to evolutionary and naturalist theory. Blackburn (1996: 294). Bryman writes that within social research and statistics, positivism advocates the use of methods of natural sciences for the study of social reality and beyond. This concept can include only knowledge confirmed by the senses. Bryman (2004: 11).
Rationalism
Philosophy, philosophical of religion, religious studies and theology, primarily and generally work within rationalism.
Rationalism is the view that unaided reason can be used in finding knowledge without the use of sense perception. Blackburn (1996: 318). Christian theology uses philosophical reasoning and a priori knowledge in deducing the existence of God, and this could be considered a form of rationalism and some logical positivists could accept rationalism in conjunction with an acceptance of empirical science. A priori knowledge can be known without the use of sensory experience in the course of events in reality. Blackburn (1999: 21). A posteriori knowledge can be known through the use of some sensory experience, and if something is knowable A posteriori it cannot be known A priori according to Blackburn. Blackburn (1996: 21).
For balance, please note that the biblical authors, biblical characters, Jesus Christ, his disciples and his apostles were empirically observed and documented within religious history. The death on the cross (his atoning work) and resurrection of Jesus Christ was empirically observed. Biblical Studies deals with empirical manuscripts.
1 Corinthians 15: 1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
15 Now I would remind you, brothers,[a] of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. a) 1 Corinthians 15:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 31, 50, 58
Also, for clarity, divine revelation via divine enlightenment and regeneration (John 3, Titus 3) serves as aided reason within biblical, theological rationalism.
Cited
The fortunes of philosophers — or at least philosophy majors — are a mixed bag, ranging from college teaching adjuncts who can barely pay their rent to tech entrepreneurs.
Naturalism and empiricism, in general, take priority over rationalism with modern Western education and within society at large. Rationalists, philosophers, philosophers of religion, theologians, therefore, biblical scholars, generally lose significant importance, culturally. This effects employment options.
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and within that group, philosophy and religious study majors tend to do a little worse, with a 10.8 percent jobless rate, according to the study.
Within the demise of rationalism within modern, Western education, is a decline of the importance of religion, religious studies and the bible, according to values of the masses.
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But philosophy majors also have some of the highest scores in the LSAT and GMAT — the required tests for entry to law and business school respectively, according to figures from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). And when it comes to earnings for people who only have undergraduate degrees, philosophy majors have the fourth-highest median earnings, $81,200 per year, out-ranking business and chemistry majors, according to the ETS.
Intelligence will generally not be the problem for high-end philosophers. Assumed societal, relevance will often be a problem.
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Which brings me back to philosophy. While we’re assessing career choices, let me trouble the assertion at the top of my story: that philosophers aren’t loved these days, which implied that everyone just adored them way back when. Actually, in 399 BC, Athenian jurors convicted Socrates of charges including corrupting youth and “failing to acknowledge the gods the city acknowledges.” The penalty was death; his personal method of choice was hemlock tea. Some modern analysts argue that Socrates could have easily talked his way out of the charges or walked away from the sentence, but he chose to die to make the ultimate point about sticking up for the love of wisdom. So, Cliff Notes’-style summary: Philosophy. Your mileage may vary. A lot.
As a philosopher of religion and theologian, by God's leading, I need to seek the truth in love and to also, within Western democracy, respect the rights of those to disagree.
Thankfully, I have an income...
BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
BRYMAN, ALAN (2004) Social Research Methods, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
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