Should I take philosophy for law school?

Asked by: Briana DuBuque  |  Last update: November 5, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (60 votes)

There can be little doubt that the philosophy major provides the best preparation for an education and career in the law. First, philosophy consistently ranks first among pre-law majors in average LSAT score, surely the most important criterion for admission to law schools.

Is philosophy good for law school?

Yes, philosophy is often one of the best undergraduate programs for prospective law students. A great deal of philosophy focuses on argumentation and logic: constructing and deconstructing arguments, assessing the strength of arguments, how to provide counterarguments, etc.

Is philosophy good for the LSAT?

Philosophy and math majors tend to top the LSAT score lists, probably because their majors require practice in logical thinking, which is one of the sections on the LSAT. It is likely that those who are good at logical thinking are more likely to choose majors like philosophy and math.

Is philosophy or psychology better for law?

Is Psychology a Good Pre-Law Major? The American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any particular major or coursework for pre-law students. As such, law school students come from various undergraduate backgrounds.

Do lawyers have to take philosophy?

Most lawyers may have degrees in subjects like English, economics, political science, philosophy, journalism, mathematics and business, but there is no official recommendation regarding any preferred major for law students.

Philosophy and the law: a formative experience

35 related questions found

What percentage of philosophy majors go to law school?

Business and criminal justice majors had lower LSAT scores and GPAs overall.” Philosophy majors scored sixth best in terms of LSAT and GPA scores. They were also admitted to law school at a higher percent than any other major — 75 percent, according to an analysis of data provided by Muller.

Which subject is best for a lawyer?

If You Want to Become a Lawyer, Work on Your Soft Skills
  1. Political Science Courses. ...
  2. Criminal Justice Courses. ...
  3. Environmental Science Courses. ...
  4. Biology and Medical Courses. ...
  5. Accounting Courses. ...
  6. Research-Heavy Courses. ...
  7. Writing and Communication Courses. ...
  8. Exam-Heavy Courses.

What is the best pre-law major?

However, they also reiterate that the best pre law majors are those which will challenge students to think critically and inspire their best work:
  • Political Science.
  • Finance.
  • Arts and Humanities.
  • Communications.
  • Psychology.
  • Sociology.
  • Business Administration.
  • Criminal Justice.

Which is harder, psychology or philosophy?

Which is harder to study: psychology or philosophy? It depends on your strengths. Psychology requires understanding statistics and conducting experiments, while philosophy demands strong reasoning and abstract thinking. Both can be challenging in their own ways.

What role does philosophy play in law?

Philosophy of law, also called legal philosophy or jurisprudence, considers laws and legal concepts through a philosophical lens to better understand the nature of law. The goals of this form of philosophy are to: Understand, explain, analyze, criticize, and classify branches of law.

Is the LSAT becoming obsolete?

The ABA's House of Delegates will vote on the Council's proposed change in February 2023. If the House votes to nix Standard 503, the standardized-test requirement won't go away until 2025. So, the LSAT isn't definitely going away, and it's definitely not going away until 2025.

Is philosophy a hard major?

Philosophy is a difficult subject, and becoming adept at understanding difficult philosophical texts and thinking through complex philosophical problems will help you to solve problems in other areas, as well.

Which major has the highest LSAT score?

Here are some of the results:
  • Mathematics/Physics: 160.0.
  • Economics/Philosophy/Theology: 157.4.
  • International Relations: 156.5.
  • Engineering: 156.2.
  • Government/Service/Chemistry: 156.1.
  • History: 155.9.
  • Interdisciplinary Studies: 155.5.
  • Foreign Languages: 155.3.

Do philosophy majors do well on the LSAT?

Philosophy Majors Do Very Well on the LSAT

Philosophy majors tend to do better on the LSAT — which is the law school entrance exam — than students in many other popular majors.

Is philosophy a respected degree?

Philosophy is a very useful and respected degree, and certainly one with which you can make money. Philosophers turn their attention to more than just the history of philosophy.

Is logic taught in law school?

You may be familiar with the importance of lawyering logic from your time studying the LSAT. This same type of logic and critical thinking is often taught in law school to allow you to objectively see a situation and how the law applies to it.

Do philosophy majors read a lot?

Philosophy students do a lot of reading. And most philosophy books are quite thick. But that doesn't mean you will read entire piles of books in a single semester. You will actually do a lot of selective reading on key concepts.

What is the hardest branch of psychology?

Identifying the hardest field in psychology is subjective, as it largely depends on individual interests and strengths. However, fields like neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and forensic psychology are often considered among the most challenging.

What is the most accepted major for law school?

The Best Undergraduate Majors for Law School
  • English. Regardless of their niche, the cornerstones of every successful lawyer are exceptional reading comprehension and persuasive writing. ...
  • Classical Studies. ...
  • Environmental Sciences. ...
  • Literature. ...
  • Policy Studies. ...
  • Industrial Relations. ...
  • History. ...
  • Math.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

Is philosophy the best pre-law major?

There can be little doubt that the philosophy major provides the best preparation for an education and career in the law. First, philosophy consistently ranks first among pre-law majors in average LSAT score, surely the most important criterion for admission to law schools.

What degree do most lawyers need?

A lawyer needs a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. Prospective lawyers can begin by earning a four-year degree in a program that offers critical thinking skills and a broad range of professional studies to help them succeed in their careers.

How many hours do lawyers work in a week?

Although most lawyers have a regular 40-hour week, a significant percentage of them work more frequently. The average weekly work hours for various types of lawyers are: Lawyers working for large firms: 66 hours per week. Lawyers working for small and medium-sized firms: 42-54 hours per week.

What is the hardest subject in a law degree?

Some of the hardest classes in law school, according to current and former students, are:
  • Constitutional Law.
  • Civil Procedure.
  • Contracts.
  • Federal Courts.
  • Federal Income Tax.
  • Administrative Law.
  • Partnership Tax.