In addition to your
contemporaneous notes
(the ones you take while reading), take notes after you finish. This could be re-writing notes into more coherent and clearer sentences, writing a short summary of the reading, etc.
What is the best way to take notes while reading?
- Write notes in your own words instead of copying down information from the book.
- Avoid over-highlighting. …
- Wait until the end of a page to take notes so that you can better focus on what you are reading and so that you can try to summarize in your own words rather than copy.
How do you read a philosophy paper?
- Skim the Article to Find its Conclusion and Get a Sense of its Structure.
- Go Back and Read the Article Carefully.
- Evaluate the Author’s Arguments.
What are the six steps in reading philosophy?
- Do the assigned reading. The philosophical texts simply are the content of the course; if you do not read, you will not learn. …
- Consider the context. …
- Take your time. …
- Spot crucial passages. …
- Identify central theses. …
- Locate supportive arguments. …
- Assess the arguments. …
- Look for connections.
Why is philosophy so hard?
Thought cannot be touched nor smelt, seen nor grasped. … Philosophy requires us to not only deal with something ostensibly intangible, but also to refine, clarify, and use proper language for that intangible thing. Put otherwise, when we do philosophy, we are to paint a ghost.
How can I be good at philosophy?
- Spend idle time thinking rather than distracting yourself. The world around us is rife with distractions. …
- Argue in good faith whenever possible. This is a practice that can be employed across several other disciplines, like political science. …
- Read as much as you can.
Where do I start in philosophy?
- Start from a position of ignorance.
- Expect to go slowly.
- Read when you are most alert.
- Pick whatever interests you the most.
- Get a philosophical dictionary.
Why are Philosophy readings so hard?
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.
How can I study philosophy at home?
- Start from a position of ignorance.
- Expect to go slowly.
- Read when you are most alert.
- Pick whatever interests you the most.
- Get a philosophical dictionary.
- Familiarize yourself with the history of Western Thought.
Is philosophy a hard degree?
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.
What job can I do if I study philosophy?
These highly critical, analytical, and argumentative skills that are developed often lead students to pursue legal studies, MBA programs, or seminaries. Jobs for philosophy majors include a
lawyer, systems analyst, cultural affairs officer, technical writer, and a critic
.
How does philosophy help you in life?
Philosophy helps
us express what is distinctive in our views
, it enhances our ability to explain difficult material, and it helps us to eliminate ambiguities and vagueness from our writing and speech.
Can I self study philosophy?
Self-learning has many advantages: It is more affordable. You don’t have to pay the full tuition for a conventional degree in philosophy, but you can still follow the curriculum of most top universities from any part of the world. You can learn at your
own
pace.
How long does it take to learn philosophy?
Studying for a bachelor’s degree in philosophy usually take
four years of full-time classes
. In some cases, a student has prior credits from high school or a baccalaureate program that is applicable to his or her undergraduate study.
How do you talk like a philosopher?
- 9 Ways Thinking Like a Philosopher Will Make You Wiser. We are all lovers of wisdom. …
- Go Slow to Go Fast. Our world is driven by speed. …
- Focus on What’s Essential. …
- Think in Shades of Grey. …
- Spot the Weakness in an Argument. …
- Be Intellectually Humble. …
- Knock Down Your Own Ideas. …
- Consider Alternative Possibilities.
What is the best introduction to philosophy?
- Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder.
- A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell.
- Philosophy: The Basics by Nigel Warburton.
- The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant.
