Philosophy is one of the most interesting topics that you can possibly read about. However interesting it may be, reading philosophy is not everyone’s cup of tea. A particular piece of philosophy may mean one thing to you but its actual meaning may be something completely different. A few tips can certainly help you the next time you read a philosophical book or essay.
Read to understand
When you sit to read Philosophy , it is important that you attempt to understand the context of what you are reading. Reading philosophy is different from other forms of reading such as newspapers where you may be trying to just take in information. Philosophical reading is more about understanding and requires a lot of time and effort. You may not find it interesting if you are unable to understand it.
Take time to get a hang of the subject
Philosophy is not a topic that you can read too fast; you need to be slow and steady. Taking time to get a hang of the subject can help make the book or essay interesting for you. Also you must read one section and then reflect on it and then proceed to the next section. It can also help to read the one page or a section 3-4 times to get the basic idea behind it.
Think on your own
Another term that may be used to describe philosophy is critical thinking. As a philosophical reader, your job is not only to read and understand a piece of information but also give it deep thought and try to challenge it with your own thoughts. It can help if you can pen down comments that reflect your opinion about the piece of philosophical text that you are reading. Thinking is a very important part of reading philosophy.
Keep learning and un-learning
If you have read a piece of philosophy today, you must try reading it again after a number of days. There is a high possibility that you may find an entirely different perspective on it compared to the one you may have had after the previous reading. Learning and un-learning can make philosophical reading as much fun as a fiction novel.
Engage in philosophical discussions
One of the best ways to enhance your understanding of a piece of philosophy is to have discussions with others who may have also read it. This will help you compare their perception of the piece to what you may have understood from it. Having you discussion may help broaden your horizon on the subject matter of the reading.
Conclusion
If you can do it the right way, philosophy reading can be interesting and informative at the same time.