How a philosophy education laid the foundation for one SFU alumnus' career in law

What did you like about studying philosophy? 

I loved studying philosophy because it fundamentally changed the way I think and I still carry that with me to this day. Philosophy challenged me intellectually and reshaped my worldview more than any other educational experience I’ve had since.

Interestingly, I think one of the most impactful aspects of philosophy was how it cultivated empathy. Empathy requires abstract thinking, imagining life from another person’s perspective and considering how different circumstances shape experience. Philosophy helped me engage deeply with that kind of thinking, which has been invaluable in my career as a lawyer. In fields like family law and criminal defence, clients are often experiencing the worst moments of their lives. They need help and a big part of being a lawyer is understanding their situation empathetically. 

Philosophy also taught me how to approach emotionally charged situations rationally. That balance is crucial for protecting yourself from burnout in demanding professions. On a practical level, philosophy sharpened my ability to analyze arguments, communicate persuasively, and speak confidently. These are skills I developed through class discussions, debates, and defending positions in front of peers.

Beyond academics, the philosophy community was a huge highlight. It was a small, closely knit department where everyone knew one another. Many of us were “misfits” in the best sense, but we found common ground through shared curiosity and deep conversations. I formed multiple long-term friendships during my time in philosophy, far more than I did in law school, and I truly loved my time in the program. 

What are your favourite philosophy courses or instructors?

Off the top of my head, my favorite instructors included Dai Heide, Evan Tiffany, Jay Leardi, Martin Hahn, and Phil Hanson.

Evan Tiffany taught some of my favourite classes, including one on culpability and control (PHIL 329). The epistemology and ethics classes were also fantastic. The classes that I took with Dai Heide about 17th-18th century philosophers were great too. I especially loved studying figures like Kant, Leibniz, and Malebranche. Those courses were intellectually demanding, occasionally wild, and incredibly rewarding.

Were you involved in any curricular opportunities?

Yes, I was actively involved in the Philosophy Student Union and eventually served as vice president. When I joined, the union had been dormant for some time. A small group of us were passionate about reviving it, so we banded together and rebuilt it from the ground up.

That experience was incredibly meaningful. It’s been gratifying to see that events we started years ago are still running today. Being part of rebuilding that community remains one of my favorite memories from SFU.

What advice would you give to current philosophy students or someone interested in studying philosophy? 

Philosophy will make you a better reader, a better writer, and a stronger thinker. It improves your ability to argue clearly, reason carefully, and engage critically with complex ideas. These are skills that are valuable in virtually any career.

My advice to students entering the philosophy program is this: expect the early courses to be challenging, but don’t be discouraged. Philosophy often feels unfamiliar at first, especially courses like logic. For me, the beginning was challenging until it “clicked" for me, and after that I fell in love with the discipline. It’s now one of my favorite things to talk about.

Once you’ve completed the required courses, choose classes that genuinely interest you. Philosophy ultimately teaches you the tools to engage with the world critically and that can be developed through any area of philosophical inquiry. Follow your curiosity and take what interests you. That’s what I did, and it made all the difference.