This series of Student Reflections is based on interviews conducted by Elyse Purcell and Sarah Horne during the APA’s 2019 Central Division Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Anthony Hodnett is currently an undergraduate philosophy student at the University of Colorado in Denver.
Why did you choose to major in philosophy?
I chose to major in philosophy because it fascinates me endlessly, and that is because no other discipline has played a larger role in challenging my world views and strengthening my faculty of critical thinking than philosophy. It is for these reasons that I believe everyone ought to become somewhat well-rounded in philosophical thinking, for philosophy has so much to offer in the way of learning how to think and therefore tackling and properly comprehending complex issues that people face every day.
What do you like most (or dislike) about your school’s philosophy program?
I really appreciate that all the professors at my school make themselves available often throughout the school year to help with coursework or to just chat, whether it be about philosophy or life in general. I understand how busy they all are so I appreciate them taking time to be attentive to the needs of students.
Are you considering pursuing a professional career in philosophy or something philosophy related?
As much as I love philosophy, I do not plan on pursuing a career in philosophy. However, a career in philosophy or something related to philosophy is not entirely off the table.
What has been your favorite philosophy class so far?
My favorite philosophy class so far has been Existentialism, without a doubt. That class simply blew my mind and took my interest in philosophy to another level.
What did you enjoy most about the APA Central Division Conference?
I had such a fun time at the conference! What I enjoyed most was that there was ample time after each discussion for questions and answers. The Q&A aspect of each discussion was very engaging and helped to clarify some points of each discussion.
This section of the APA Blog is designed to share student reflections on APA meetings. We’d love for you to be a part of it. If you’re a student and would like to submit a reflection, contact Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall at sabrinamisirhiralall@apaonline.org.
Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall is an editor at the Blog of the APA who currently teaches philosophy, religion, and education courses solely online for Montclair State University, Three Rivers Community College, and St. John’s University.
