What Is The Best Way To Study Philosophy?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  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.

Can I study philosophy on my own?

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 .

What is the best way to learn philosophy?

  1. Start from a position of ignorance.
  2. Expect to go slowly.
  3. Read when you are most alert.
  4. Pick whatever interests you the most.
  5. Get a philosophical dictionary.
  6. Familiarize yourself with the history of Western Thought.

Is philosophy difficult to study?

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 required, while others simply don't have the patience for it.

How do I start learning philosophy?

Get a good background in the basic introductory guides, Introducing Philosophy and Philosophy for Beginners. Then, definitely study Aristotle, Plato, Aquinas (the five proofs), Hobbes, Locke (the British empiricists), Nietzsche and the existentialists, Derrida and Foucult.

Where do I start with 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.

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.

What is it important to study philosophy?

The study of philosophy enhances your ability to evaluate and resolve problems . It will help you to analyze concepts, definitions, arguments, and problems. It contributes to your capacity to organize ideas and issues, to deal with questions of value, and to extract what is essential from masses of information.

Do you need a PHD to be a philosopher?

To successfully pursue philosophy as a career, you must acquire a doctorate or, at very least, a master's degree . Earning a living from philosophy means using your knowledge and (hopefully) wisdom to produce original works of philosophical thought and, usually, to teach others about the field.

What are the types of philosophy?

  • Metaphysics.
  • Hermeneutics.
  • Epistemology.
  • Ethics.

Why is philosophy so hard?

Philosophy is Hard Because of Intangibility

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.

Is philosophy an easy degree?

Philosophy is actually a really tough degree . ... Taking a module in Logic can be the breaking point of your degree, its a marmite module and it takes some serious brain power, especially when it comes to writing an essay on it. Being original in Philosophy is virtually impossible.

What job can I do if I study philosophy?

  • Business analyst.
  • Chaplain.
  • Civil Service Fast Streamer.
  • Health service manager.
  • Human resources officer.
  • Local government officer.
  • Marketing executive.
  • Newspaper journalist.

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.

What is the best way to learning?

  1. Make Use of Memory Improvement Basics. ...
  2. Keep Learning (and Practicing) New Things. ...
  3. Learn in Multiple Ways. ...
  4. Teach What You've Learned to Another Person. ...
  5. Use Previous Learning to Promote New Learning. ...
  6. Gain Practical Experience. ...
  7. Look Up Answers Rather Than Struggle to Remember.

What should a beginner read?

  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. ...
  • The Diary of A Young Girl By Anne Frank. ...
  • The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. ...
  • The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. ...
  • To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. ...
  • Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami. ...
  • Ikigai by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia.
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.