Jordan Burton, B.A. 1997
Co-Founder, Talgo Inc.
1997 Major: Philosophy and Economics
How has being a Philosophy graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?
"My Philosophy studies at Duke truly changed the way my mind operates. I wanted an intensely challenging curriculum, and Duke Philosophy delivered. It was like a cognitive gym—but one where the results last a lifetime. The process of Philosophy has certainly made me more effective professionally. But more importantly, it has also enabled me to build empathy for—and a richer understanding of—others' perspectives. To use a computational analogy: my Philosophy major was not an application that I downloaded, it was an upgrade to the operating system."
What advice would you give students in Duke's Philosophy programs?
"If there's a voice inside you that worries about the optics or practical applicability of a Philosophy major, do yourself (and the world) a favor: let it go. There are countless ways—and ample time—to learn the "content" in any number of professional areas. Everything is online! Seize the opportunity to engage in a process of true cognitive transformation."
