Ryland BeDell graduated from Illinois State University in May 2016, along with 14 other philosophy majors.

BeDell sat down to answer a couple of questions from the Department of Philosophy:

What have you enjoyed most about being a philosophy major at Illinois State?

I have enjoyed my classes in Buddhist philosophy. I also liked that this major challenged me to really take a look at certain things from different angles.

If you had to take one philosophy book or article to a desert island, which would it be?

If I could only bring one book or article to a desert island, I think that I would bring the article of “The Cave” because it talks about illusions and how to look at the world around you.

Do your friends and family know that you study philosophy?

My friends and family do know that I am a philosophy major.

What other majors did you consider?

When I first got to Illinois State I was a deaf and hard of hearing major, but then I switched to sociology and then switched again to philosophy, but now sociology is my minor along with women and gender’s studies.

What are you plans after graduation?

Right now my plan is to work until I can move so I can work with some really good nonprofit groups.