In particular I remember my Philosophy class, or more accurately, the final exm. We walked into the classroom and there was a chair in the front of the class. The exam was one question, "Prove this chair exists". I spent the entire 90 minutes allowed and at last submitted several pages of justification which I think traced the wooden chair back to when the tree it was made from sprouted. I got a B.
There was only one A in the class. One classmate who showed up rather hung over simply submitted an answer of "What chair?" and left to go back to his room and sleep it off.
I have since heard of similar Philosophy tests, such as "Why?" The reply of "Because" rendered a C, but a reply of "Why not?" rendered an A.
I think Philosophy teachers must be a breed unto their own. The teacher I had was quite off his rocker, but gleefully informed the class that noone could do anything about it since he had tenure. I enjoyed him as a teacher, constantly challenging me to look at things from all angles, consider all options, question everything, take nothing for granted(as far as knowledge went). He truly opened what had been my tunnel-visioned view on life. I had even briefly considered changing my major to Philosophy. If I had been able to come up with possible career courses with that degree, I may have done it. An few old jokes convinced me not to:
What does someone with a Philosophy/Liberal Arts Degree say?
--would you like fries with that?
How do you get someone with a Philosophy/Liberal Arts Degree to go away and leave you alone?
--pay for the pizza.
I will be the first to admit here though, that if I had gone on to get a Philosophy degree, I would at least be someone with a degree, and not someone who has spent the last 20 years slowly nibbling away at college. Instead of a piece of paper to hang on a wall, I have three beautiful boys and a life that is never dull! I think I came out ahead in that aspect!