When a student attends the California State University system, the student is encouraged to take many different courses with broad-spectrum material, including courses that cover of philosophy. Some individuals argue that studying and reading philosophy is a waste of a student's time and has little value for the student and his or her education. While this topic shows valid concerns for a college student's education, it is more beneficial for a student to take courses that deal with philosophy because these courses teach students how to think logically and critically. Without the study of philosophical thought and the lack of philosophy courses taken during a student's education, college students would not be provided with the necessary critical thinking skills they need to succeed in their society. The first question you may find yourself asking is: what is philosophical thought? According to Dr. David J. Yount, a professor at Mesa Community College with a doctorate in philosophy, philosophical thinking is more than reflecting on unanswered questions, it is a means of logistical and critical thinking. It is a process of questioning one's own opinion and other possible opinions to "discover and hopefully articulate good reasons for [one's] opinion." (Yount) Even through philosophical thinking and processes such as those practiced by Buddhist monks, one learns to detach oneself from one's own opinions and view opposing opinions through an unbiased perspective, giving the thinker a well-rounded education on the topic at hand. Therefore, for an individual to be able to develop a reasonable and educated opinion, the individual must begin with a philosophical thought process. Although the study of philosophy is...... middle of paper ......n from the darkness and ignorance that our society has derived does not lie. College students should take philosophy courses and think philosophically so that they can continue to improve their lives and further enlighten our society. Works Cited • Yount, David. "The importance of philosophy or "Why should I take up philosophy?". (2001): n. pag. Network. 29 June 2011. .• Plato. “The Simile of the Cave”. Republic. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1974. 240 -48. Print• Elements of the Socratic Method: l. Systematic questions.Overholser, James C. Psychotherapy: theory, research, practice, training, Vol 30(1), Spr 1993, 67-74.• Newton, Isaac [experimental] philosophy particular propositions are deduced from phenomena and then made general by induction": "Principia", Book 3, General Scholium, 1792. 392. Print.