Recently my college unveiled its new Classical studies major.  I wondered how the Classical studies graduate would compete in today’s job market. If the timeless lessons in Greek and Roman literature could compete with an MBA business degree in economics?  How Aristotle’s philosophical musings would hold up in modern business boardrooms?

Have humans changed so little over the centuries? How relevant in the business world are the writings of Socrates, Plato or Cicero? I can understand these ancient theorists’s importance in an online humanities degree program, but would these philosophers have importance within a bachelor’s degree in human resources curriculum? I guess the connecting link is the word human. Early Greek and Roman literature examined the complexities of human nature, which is a timeless subject.

Human nature still has the power to surprise, shock and awe us. The human spirit has endured and persevered for centuries. Maybe the budding economist, business owner or emerging billionaire would have a lot to learn from these ancient philosophers. Aristotle’s theories on philosophy, logic, ethics and politics still inspire us to move forward with our thinking. So I guess all those Classical study majors will carry with them lessons on human nature and apply them to today’s business world.

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