HOW to read philosophy: Philosophy Forums

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HOW to read philosophy

brainpharte
Huh?

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Joined: Jan 07, 2009

Total Topics: 7
Total Posts: 959

Posted 07/28/09 - 06:17 PM:	#21
What's worked best for me is to read short encyclopedia articles about the philosopher and what he imagines he's trying to say, then read a secondary gloss or two, then if I'm still interested, read the philosopher himself. I have learned a great deal from Brian Magee, and a couple of general surveys, including Copleston, where you can pick and choose what you're interested in at the moment. I found it wonderfully refreshing to come across well-informed scholars who bashed some of the sacred cows in the history of philosophy.
"I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit. "No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way."

Elston
Initiate

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Joined: Sep 10, 2009

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Total Posts: 17

Posted 09/14/09 - 02:47 PM:	#22
I don't read anything that I do not enjoy reading (same goes for music & film). If it's a pain to read I close it and deem it a piece of crap. If I want to learn about a particular philosopher I will usually start with an introduction to their work. For instance, the 'For Beginners' books are generally excellent, or an anthology of different philosophers with summaries and pictures, or perhaps just a website. If someone intrigues me then I might go out and read the actual copy, but if it's tedious then it gets thrown against the wall. Personally, I would read philosophy the way you read or watch or listen to anything else. I'm always proud to announce a philosopher 'sucks' when I do not enjoy their book (here's to you Sartre). Then you can always come back another time if it suits you and reevaluate what you thought originally. There will more than likely be a philosopher out there who you will really connect with and will help shape your thinking.

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