What Happens When You Read Philosophy?

Reading philosophy can be a changing experience. It opens new ways of thinking, challenges existing assumptions, and encourages deep reflection about the nature of existence, knowledge, morality, and the human experience. Unlike reading other genres, philosophy invites the reader into a world of profound questions and abstract reasoning, where answers are not always clear, but the process of inquiry itself is deeply enriching. In this essay, we are going to look into the many faceted effect of reading philosophy-what happens to our thinking, our view, and even our lives as we read through a philosophical text.

1. **It Expands Your Understanding of the World**

One of the immediate effects of reading philosophy is that it broadens your view of the world. Through the ages, philosophers have addressed basic questions about existence, reality, time, space, and knowledge in radically divergent ways. For instance, a reading of Plato's *Republic* could introduce you to the ideal society and its ruler, the philosopher-king. The works of Immanuel Kant may challenge you to reconsider the limitations of human knowledge and perception. Even the reading of works by such existentialists as Jean-Paul Sartre can raise questions about freedom and personal responsibility.

In the works of philosophers, you find presented worldviews, often radically different from your own, which make you rethink your long-held assumptions about reality. Reading *The Tao Te Ching* by Laozi, for instance, exposes one to a worldview that regards the world as intrinsically harmonious and non-dual, in contrast with the often dualistic and conflict-ridden views common in Western thought. Thus, philosophy expands your horizons and makes you open-minded by exposing you to these various schools of thought.

 2. **It Encourages Deep Self-Reflection**

Philosophy is described as a journey inward. It is through the reading of philosophy, especially ethics and existentialism, that one finds himself or herself facing deep questions concerning his or her life, values, and existence. Thinkers like Socrates, for instance, constantly emphasized the importance of self-examination. In his famous declaration, "The unexamined life is not worth living," Socrates was suggesting that without self-reflection, we are merely living passively, without questioning or understanding our purpose.

In this way, the reading of philosophical works encourages one to reflect on their beliefs, life choices, and relationship to the world. For example, you read works by existential philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre or Viktor Frankl, which might help you question what gives meaning to your life. Reading Ethics by Aristotle or Kant might make you start to think about the moral values leading your behavior. This kind of introspection may allow one to gain further insight into himself or herself and perhaps shape his or her life at a later time in certain ways.

3. **It Strengthens Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills**

Philosophy is unique in its demand for rigorous thought. Philosophical texts often require the reader to engage in complex reasoning, critically assess arguments, and question underlying assumptions. Unlike many other forms of reading, where the information is presented as relatively straightforward, philosophy challenges readers to actively engage with the material.

As you read philosophical works, you'll be asked to evaluate arguments, identify logical fallacies, and assess the validity of claims. It nurtures your **critical thinking**, which you will be able to use when reading philosophy but also in many other aspects of your life. For instance, the ability to read and understand Hume's complex arguments about causality and human perception will provide you with the skills to look at everyday problems in a more analytical way. Similarly, reading political philosophy by John Rawls or Karl Marx might prompt you to think critically about social justice, fairness, and human rights.

Philosophical reading teaches you not just to accept information at face value, but to question, critique, and explore multiple perspectives. This sharpened ability to analyze complex ideas can translate into better decision-making and problem-solving in personal and professional contexts.

4. **It Fosters Intellectual Humility**

Another significant effect of reading philosophy is that it fosters intellectual humility. Many philosophical texts force us to confront the limitations of our knowledge and understanding. For example, reading Descartes' *Meditations on First Philosophy* can lead to a sense of doubt and skepticism about the certainty of our perceptions and beliefs. Similarly, works in epistemology, such as those by David Hume or Kant, push us to question the very foundation of what we know and how we know it.

Reading philosophy reminds one repeatedly of the uncertainty and ambiguity that constitute the human condition. This can result in the appreciation of life's complexity and recognition that no human viewpoint or solution is ever fully decisive or final. You cultivate intellectual humility when you realize that, despite our best efforts, human understanding is often partial, incomplete, and subject to revision.

Reading philosophy can also help you develop the ability to respect opposing arguments. Philosophers often argue with one another in a system of competing theories about morality, reality, or human nature. You are encouraged, as you read these many perspectives, to weigh their merits against each other and not necessarily to commit yourself to one alone. Openness to competing ideas nourishes intellectual humility and a will to engage others in speech.

5. ***It Challenges Your Beliefs and Assumptions***

Doing philosophy often means challenging entrenched beliefs and assumptions. For some, this is another reason why many people consider it both challenging and gratifying. You will probably have readings in the class where certain arguments will conflict with what you believe or even more-or-less force you to alter some of your fundamental presumptions about the world.

For example, reading the works of Friedrich Nietzsche might challenge your assumptions about morality, questioning traditional ideas of good and evil. Nietzsche’s critique of religion and his concept of the “Übermensch” (superman) can be unsettling, especially for those who hold conservative or religious views. Similarly, reading works by feminist philosophers like Simone de Beauvoir or Judith Butler might challenge your assumptions about gender, identity, and societal roles.

It is just those moments of challenge that make philosophy so valuable; it does not simply reaffirm what you already know, but forces you to critically examine your assumptions and entertain the possibility that your worldview may need to evolve. This process of intellectual dissonance can be uncomfortable, but it is often the starting point for personal growth and development.

 6. **It Encourages Open-Mindedness and Tolerance**

As you read philosophy, you are exposed to so many ideas and ways of thinking. Philosophers generally don't just present their case for a position without considering alternative theories, counterarguments, and critiques. This is intellectually stimulating and helps one be open-minded.

For example, a reading of *A Theory of Justice* by John Rawls may challenge your existing conceptions of social justice and fairness. The *veil of ignorance* argument advanced by Rawls asks you to consider what kind of social structures you would choose if you did not know what your social position would be-a kind of fairness based on a position of complete neutrality. In the same way, the philosophies of **liberalism**, **communitarianism**, and **socialism** will introduce you to the richness of political thought.

Philosophy trains you to approach ideas with a spirit of inquiry rather than dogmatism. The more you engage with differing viewpoints, the more you become comfortable with the idea that there is often no one "right" answer, but a variety of possible solutions. This open-mindedness translates into greater tolerance for the views and beliefs of others, even when they differ significantly from your own.

7. **It Gives Insight into How to Live the Good Life**

Most of the philosophical traditions are concerned with how life should be lived, especially ethics: from **virtue ethics** -Aristotle-to **utilitarianism** -Bentham, Mill-and **deontology** -Kant-, philosophy presents various frameworks for understanding what the "good life" is. You read about ideas on moral character and virtue, happiness, and justice that could provide a guide to life.

For instance, the reading of Stoic philosophers like Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius may inspire one to live more resiliently and self-controlled, focused on what one is capable of controlling and letting go of what one is not able to control. In the same way, **existentialists** like Sartre or Heidegger might encourage you to live authentically-embracing your freedom, responsibility, and thus striving to create meaning in life, even when faced with uncertainty.

In this way, philosophy not only enriches your intellectual life but also offers very practical means to improve your daily life. It makes you think about what you do, how you decide on moral issues, and how you can give something back to the world around you.

 Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Reading Philosophy

Reading philosophy is not a passive process; it is an intellectually demanding and changing experience. It widens our world, tugs us to introspection of a profound nature, and whets our ability for critical thought. Philosophy challenges our convictions, teaches intellectual humility, and begets open-mindedness. It offers some sort of roadmap for conducting life's journeys and sends us more clearly thinking on the big questions-what is the meaning of life, how should we act, and what makes a life worth living?

In the end, reading philosophy has the power to change the way we think, feel, and act in the world. It provides us with the intellectual tools to confront life's uncertainties, engage with diverse viewpoints, and live a life that is more reflective, purposeful, and ethical.