For just about any area of human inquiry, such as mathematics, science, religion, law and art, there is a branch of philosophy devoted to the critical study of the fundamental assumptions of that area of inquiry.? For instance, in the philosophy of religion, the philosopher asks what religion is and what is the nature of religious experience. In the philosophy of science, the philosopher might ask what is the nature of science and how does it differ from other areas of intellectual inquiry.

The range of issues considered in philosophy is vast. Among the many questions considered by philosophers are: Is there a God? What is the nature and extent of human knowledge? What is the nature of human freedom and do human beings possess freedom of the will? What is the nature of justice, and what sorts of social and economic structures best serve the ideals of justice?

You might be interested in studying philosophy because you find such questions and the critical examination of their answers to be intrinsically interesting. But, the study of philosophy develops skills and habits of mind that also are of great practical value.