Why Is Reading Philosophy So Hard?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Reading Philosophy is

a difficult task

, especially coming to uni with little or no background in the subject. Reading lists can look long and daunting, vocabulary can be confusing and it seems to take ages to understand even the smallest part of a chapter.

Why is reading philosophy so difficult?

Reading Philosophy is

a difficult task

, especially coming to uni with little or no background in the subject. Reading lists can look long and daunting, vocabulary can be confusing and it seems to take ages to understand even the smallest part of a chapter.

Why is philosophy so complicated?

Thus,

philosophy is hard

because understanding the most universal causes is more difficult than those of this or that particular field. A further challenge is that the conclusions of philosophy are so universal that they often will have some moral implications on how we ought to live.

How do you read philosophy effectively?

  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.

Is reading philosophy good for you?

Why You Should Read Philosophy? Since logic and reason are the

cornerstones of philosophy

, taking the time out to read books on the subject can help you become a better thinker and evolve your ability to reason. … A of philosophy will help you develop critical thinking skills.

How do you understand philosophers?

  1. Read Secondary Texts. The entirety of Philosophy is like one continuous story. …
  2. Develop a Philosophers Toolkit. Analytic Philosophy is really rigid. …
  3. Don't Miss the Bigger Picture. Philosophers write with an agenda in mind. …
  4. Be Open to Interpretation. …
  5. Take Things Slow.

Why is Kant hard reading?

This definitely comes from the perspective of someone who does not understand his philosophy yet, but it feels like if Kant were to turn in his work in a philosophy course today, he would get a

really bad grade

because his work is so hard to follow.

Is philosophy a hard major?

Readings for philosophy courses are generally not long, but

they are difficult and challenging

. You cannot expect to go through an assigned reading once and have an adequate grasp of it. Some students seem to thrive on the painstaking study required, while others simply don't have the patience for it.

Why is philosophy so important?

The study of philosophy helps us

to enhance our ability to solve problems

, our communication skills, our persuasive powers, and our writing skills. Below is a description of how philosophy helps us develop these various important skills.

Is physics harder than philosophy?

From a difficulty perspective,

studying physics is significantly harder than studying something like philosophy

. Therefore, if you want to approach both aspects, it's safe to say that your will need to invest longer time in the study of physics.

Where do I start in philosophy?

  • Plato, The Last Days of Socrates — this includes four dialogues: the Euthyphro , the Apology , the Crito , and the Phaedo.
  • Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics.
  • Epictetus, Discourses, Fragments, Handbook.
  • Augustine of Hippo, Confessions.
  • Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy.

What is your philosophy reading?

Reading is

a skill necessary for all aspects of life

. Without the ability to read a person is unable to live a successful life in society. Teaching children to read is one of, if not the most important things a teacher can do.

Will reading philosophy make me smarter?


Reading philosophy won't make you “smarter

,” in terms of increasing your native intelligence. That particular quality of you basically just is what it is. Read philosophy, though. Do it every day, and you'll find that you get better at thinking about complex problems.

Can philosophy make you smarter?

You can study philosophy for years and you would still never fully grasp every concept. Therefore, by simply studying philosophy diligently, you open

yourself up to years of learning

. With that much time, you will undoubtedly become smarter than you previously were.

How is reading philosophy different from reading a novel?


Philosophical writings are dense and difficult

. … 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.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.