You’re definitely not alone if you think philosophy books are written in a secret code. Many people quickly become overwhelmed by jargon and abstract concepts when they start reading a classic like Plato or Kant. The good news is that you won’t feel lost when reading philosophy. It’s more important to approach the texts with the appropriate mindset and a few useful techniques than it is to possess a unique genius.
Similar to learning a new language, it requires some work but has enormous benefits. There are a few things you can do to make your journey much easier before diving into that dense volume. It’s more important to position yourself for success than to commit ancient texts to memory. Recognizing your objective.
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Knowing your motivation helps you stay focused. Why are you picking up this philosophy book? Are you trying to understand a historical movement, are you curious about a particular idea, or are you working on a class assignment? You could start with introductory texts or thinkers who are renowned for their clarity if you’re just naturally curious.
You’ll be more sensitive to the arguments that address a particular issue if you’re working on it. Don’t try to “get” everything at once. Philosophy frequently involves debating issues rather than coming to firm conclusions. Selecting Your Point of Entry Carefully.
There are differences in the accessibility of philosophy books. Some are authored by brilliant but infamously challenging thinkers (hello, Hegel!). Some are made with novices in mind. Let’s begin with secondary sources.
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Read a reliable secondary source before attempting the primary text, which is the philosopher’s own writing. This could be a scholarly article, an introductory book about the philosopher or their ideas, or a reliable online encyclopedia of philosophy (such as the surprisingly accessible Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). The main text can be made much less daunting by using these guides, which can define important terms, give context, and summarize the main points.
Consider it like obtaining a map before entering unfamiliar territory. Selecting Philosophers Who Can Be Reached. Certain philosophers are inherently more captivating and simpler to understand than others.
Bertrand Russell, Albert Camus, or even some of Plato’s dialogues—particularly the early ones with Socrates—can serve as excellent places to start. Compared to some of their more abstract peers, their writing is frequently simpler and more straightforward. Also, you can search for books that explicitly seek to present difficult concepts in an understandable manner. Context is crucial. Philosophy is not a vacuum.
A philosopher’s ideas can be greatly illuminated by knowing their intellectual, social, and historical context. understanding the historical moment. The questions and solutions put forth by this philosopher are frequently influenced by the major events, discussions, and scientific advancements of the time in which they wrote. For instance, comprehending Kant’s or Rousseau’s writings requires an understanding of the Enlightenment.
Similarly, understanding the post-World War II intellectual milieu aids in understanding existentialism. Recognizing the philosophical terrain. Philosophy is often a dialog that spans centuries, so who were the philosophers’ influences and with whom were they debating?
A framework for comprehending a philosopher’s arguments is provided by knowing who they are addressing or building upon. Understanding the context is crucial when a philosopher is questioning a particular tradition or promoting a novel strategy. It’s not about passively taking in information once you start reading. It involves actively interacting with the text. Reread at a slower pace.
Probably the most important piece of advice is this. Philosophy is intricate. Unlike novels, it cannot be skimmed. Make time to read the passages several times. To get the gist, you might want to read it first.
The second is to begin recognizing the primary points of contention. The third is to analyze the specifics & reasoning. Rereading sentences, paragraphs, or even entire chapters is nothing to be scared of. It doesn’t indicate that you’re failing; rather, it shows that you’re interacting with it.
Deconstruct the Arguments. There is debate among philosophers. They have a conclusion (the point they are attempting to prove) and premises (justifications or supporting data).
Determining these elements is your responsibility. recognizing the conclusions and premises. As you read, make an effort to identify the main points a philosopher is making. Look for signal words like “therefore,” “consequently,” “because,” “since,” and “it follows that,” which frequently indicate logical connections.
What are they assuming? What are they attempting to convince you of? You may even want to write down these assumptions & conclusions using your own language.
Logic Mapping. Try to understand how the various components of an argument fit together after you’ve identified them. This is the point at which you begin to interact critically with the text. Does the conclusion logically flow from the premises?
Are there any logical leaps? Are the premises well-supported? Although you don’t have to agree with the conclusion, you should comprehend the logic. Make as many notes as possible. It’s not only for students.
Making notes facilitates information processing and documents your comprehension. Margins are annotated. Put questions in the margins, circle unfamiliar terms, and underline important phrases. Don’t hold the book in high regard.
It’s an educational tool. Make use of the annotation and highlighting tools when reading an electronic book. You are compelled to interact with the text more closely when you physically annotate it. Key Ideas Summarized. Try summarizing the key ideas of a section or chapter in your own words after reading it.
This is an effective method of assessing your understanding. You most likely don’t fully understand something if you can’t put it simply. This is excellent for a later review as well.
Handling Jargon & Difficult Language. Philosophy can be written in an intentionally complex style or frequently employs specialized terminology. searching for unknown terms. Use online resources or carry a dictionary with you at all times. A philosopher frequently defines a new term or uses it in a way that suggests what it means. Take note of these terms and their meanings.
It’s similar to creating your own philosophical lexicon. Sentences are rewritten. Try breaking down and rewriting a sentence in simpler terms if it is especially complicated. Although it can be time-consuming, this method is very useful for comprehending difficult prose.
Let’s say you are describing the sentence to a person who is not familiar with philosophy. Understanding a philosopher’s ideas and how they relate to your own is more important when reading philosophy than simply comprehending what they have to say. You should ask yourself questions about everything.
Questioning is at the core of philosophy. Never be scared to question the philosopher’s beliefs. Do you agree with their premises and find their conclusions compelling? However, you should also examine your own presumptions.
Why do you think the way you do? Philosophy can serve as a mirror, reflecting your own deeply rooted prejudices and beliefs. Link to Your Personal Beliefs and Experiences. Making these connections makes the philosophy feel more relevant & helps you remember it. How do the concepts you’re reading relate to your own life? Do they provide fresh insights on problems you’ve faced?
Do they support or contradict your preexisting beliefs? For example, learning about stoicism may help you come up with fresh strategies for handling everyday annoyances. Creating Your Own Concepts. As you read, begin to form your own thoughts and conclusions.
Philosophy is a continuous discussion. That includes your contribution, even if it is solely for yourself. Creating Your Own Claims. Can you create your own argument about a specific topic based on what you’ve read? It doesn’t have to be novel.
It involves honing the ability to use philosophical reasoning to support a position. Finding Points of Agreement or Conflict. Knowing where you agree and disagree with the philosopher is an indication of critical thinking & active participation. Philosophy reading is a habit rather than a one-time occurrence. It gets easier the more you practice it.
It’s okay to “not get it.”. Not understanding everything in a philosophy book is acceptable and even expected, especially when reading it for the first time. Even the greatest philosophers wrestled with these concepts for years.
Make a note of any passages that completely perplex you and continue on. Later reading or conversations can occasionally clarify earlier misunderstandings. Progress rather than instant mastery is the aim.
Talk and argue. Philosophical discussions are very helpful. You’ll be challenged to express your own opinions more clearly, hear various interpretations, & recognize points you missed.
This could be with friends, classmates, or even philosophical online communities. It forces you to clarify your own understanding when you have to explain a complicated concept to someone else. Investigate Various Branches and Thoughts. The field of philosophy is broad.
Don’t be scared to venture beyond a specific field or philosopher once you’ve covered it. Examine political philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and esthetics. Learn about various perspectives in those fields. As you read more, you’ll see more connections between concepts and grow more at ease with philosophical terminology and techniques. There are countless rooms to explore, so imagine it like going through a library.
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Reading and comprehending philosophy get better with practice, just like any other skill. You will become more accustomed to the common structures, arguments, and modes of expression of philosophy as you read more of these books.
You’ll gain a sense of what to look for and how to handle difficult texts. So, persevere. Every book you read and every idea you consider is a step on an exciting intellectual adventure.
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