How do you read philosophy effectively?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Do the assigned reading. The philosophical texts simply are the content of the course; if you do not read, you will not learn.
2. Consider the context.
3. Take your time.
4. Spot crucial passages.
5. Identify central theses.
6. Locate supportive arguments.
7. Assess the arguments.
8. Look for connections.

What happens when you read philosophy?

A study of philosophy will help you develop critical thinking skills. It will encourage you to understand the constraints you operate within when you make certain choices or even when you decide which goals you should pursue. You will be able to think intelligently of how you live and why you live that way.

How do you take notes in philosophy?

How to Take Notes in Philosophy Class

1. Terminology. You need to know what the words mean.
2. The Arguments. Arguments are the meat of philosophy.
3. Your Questions. Write down any questions you have.
4. Page Numbers. You should write down the page numbers for where vocabulary, importat quotations, and arguments are given.

How long does it take to read philosophy?

The average reader will spend 14 hours and 57 minutes reading this book at 250 WPM (words per minute).

How do I start Friedrich Nietzsche?

Here’s my recommended reading plan for Nietzsche; in this order:

1. The Antichrist (1888)
2. Twilight of the Idols (1888)
3. Genealogy of Morals (1887)
4. Beyond Good and Evil (1886)
5. Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1885)
6. The Gay Science (1882)
7. Daybreak (1881)
8. Human A.

How do I decide what to read in a philosophy book?

To decide you’ll need to fully understand the ideas being presented and the rhetorical strategies employed. Philosophical writings are dense and difficult. When reading, set realistic goals. While reading a page of a novel can take as little as thirty seconds, some pages in philosophy require at least ten minutes or even more.

How can I improve my philosophical reading skills?

To build great philosophical reading skills you’ll need to cultivate some philosophical empathy and self-criticism. Writing philosophy is challenging. Be empathetic: after you come up with some possible criticism, imagine taking the role of your opponent and try to answer your criticisms.

Why do I need to re-read philosophical texts?

Philosophical texts offer up arguments, which require you to interpret, analyse and evaluate what the author has written. This can sometimes mean you’ll need to read, re-read, and maybe re-read again before you feel confident in your understanding of the key issues they present. But don’t worry – this is normal!

Why is it so hard to read Philosophy?

Philosophy texts involve a certain kind of gravity. Reading Aristotle, Kant or Descartes is not easy, never mind tackling Heidegger or Hegel. The problem —perhaps— is that our understanding is used to more practical or technical discourses, and we tend to forget that theoretical forms of thought are different.