Monday, 11 June 2018

Peter's academic interests

My major at university ended up being philosophy, and I'm still interested in this subject. I read philosophy book, I read essays in newspapers, magazines and journals, and I listen to philosophy talks. Of course, I also argue with friends and colleagues. My main areas of interest these days are moral philosophy, but I also read in other areas, even logic, which was my second main area of interest at university.

But I also have academic interests that I've never studied at university. At the moment, these include psychology and behavioural economics. I think it's fascinating how economists like Dan Ariely use the tools of economic analysis to explain not only buying behaviour, but human honesty, for example that we are all a bit dishonest, but that most of us are not very dishonest. That was a really interesting essay, backed up with experimental evidence and solid analysis. Similarly, Steven Levitt helped us to understand why allowing abortion is an effective solution to crime.

When I was in high school, my favourite subjects were mathematics and physics, and today I still like to read about these, but I don't really study them any more. I usually look at the science and technology pages in The New York Times, The Economist and the other magazines that I subscribe to. I also read a couple of science magazines, such as New Scientist.

Out of time!

3 comments:

  1. Hello Peter,I read all of your comments about our interests,so I know you have many interests,but I strongly want to know how you arrange time on so many interests.You said that you studied Chinese history, I also like to study history especial on Chinese history and I read some books about Chinese history,maybe,we can talk about it when both us are free time.

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  2. your major is philosophy, I think it’s cool, I just read a story book at philosophy, when I wanted to talk this story with my friends or recommended it, their answers always say NO, they think it’s difficult to understand and seems grey. Unfortunately I can’t use English to talk about philosophy, It’s difficult, However, I want to read some easy reading for philosophy. Maybe you can recommend some good articles to me.

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  3. Hello T.Peter,your academic interest is very cool espectually behavioural economics. I interest it too.When I study in high school Economics is my favorite subject because this subject have reason that you can prove.

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