How do you study philosophy?

 The study of philosophy differs from any other intellectual enterprise in that it requires more than simply reading texts but, rather, thinking profoundly and critically, engaging actively, as well as questioning assumptions and ideas. Here's how you might seek to approach your studies in philosophy effectively:

 1. **Start with the Basics** 

 Dropdown Before diving into some pretty heavy reading in philosophical texts, it would do well first to familiarize yourself with some basic concepts and thinkers. Here's how you can start:

 **Introductory Reads**: 

     Start with books for the absolute amateur. Books like *Sophie's World* by Jostein Gaarder or the *Philosophy Book*, DK Big Ideas, deal with a wide variety of topics in philosophy and philosophers without being overwhelming.

Understanding Important Divisions in Philosophy:

Philosophy has numerous subfields, some of them being:

- **Metaphysics**: The study of reality and existence: What is real? What is the nature of being?

- **Epistemology**: The study of knowledge: What can we know? How do we know it?

- **Ethics**: The study of morality: What is the good life? What actions are right or wrong?.

- **Logic**: the study of reasoning, How do we reason correctly?

     - **Political Philosophy**: the study of government, justice and authority; What is the best form of government? What is justice?

     - **Aesthetics**: the study of beauty, art, and taste; What is art? What is beauty?.

This overview will help you decide which section to dive into first.

 2. **Read Philosophical Texts Carefully** 

 The texts of philosophy are usually compact and demand careful reading. To do this effectively:

 - **Start with Accessible Texts**:

Some of the philosophical works are more accessible to the readers who have just started. *The Republic* by Plato, *Nicomachean Ethics* by Aristotle, or *Meditations* by Marcus Aurelius offer insights into key philosophical questions while being relatively approachable.

  

- **Read Slowly and Actively**:  

     Philosophy demands more than just passive reading. Take your time and engage with the text actively:

- Highlight or underline important passages.

     - Write down your notes or questions while you read.

     - Reread sections that you may not have understood.

   - **Understand the Context:

Philosophical works are often a product of their time. The historical, cultural, and intellectual environment that a philosopher finds themselves in often informs and influences their work. For instance, knowing that Plato wrote within the context of Athenian democracy, or that Kant was reacting to the Enlightenment, helps to shed light on their views.

 3. **Engage with Secondary Sources 

   Very often, one must read the primary texts for the philosophers. However, it would be very constructive if the students received certain texts along with commentaries or explanations.

   - **Commentaries and Summaries**:

For dense readings, secondary sources can be helpful in explaining ideas. For example, the *Cambridge Companion to Plato* or *The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy*, both freely available online, offer detailed descriptions of philosophical terms and thinkers.

   - **Philosophy Podcasts and Lectures** :

There are lots of free resources that make philosophy more accessible. Podcasts such as *Philosophize This!* or *The History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps* provide structured, accessible content on a range of philosophical topics.

 4. **Practice Philosophical Thinking and Writing** 

 Philosophy is not just a matter of reading; it is also about developing your skills of critical thinking and clear reasoning. Here's how to build these skills:

- **Take Notes and Summarize**: 

     Read a chapter or section, and then summarize it in your own words. What is the main point? What is the argument of the philosopher? This makes you interact with what you are reading.

- **Ask Questions**: 

     One of the main aspects of philosophy is to ask questions. Ask yourself:

What is the author's main argument?  

     -Do I agree with their reasoning? Why or why not?  

     -What assumptions is the author making?  

     -How might this argument apply to today's world?

   - **Write Philosophy:

Writing is a great way to cement your learning. Practice writing essays, reflections, or even informal responses to the ideas you encounter. A well-structured essay should outline a clear argument, present counterarguments, and arrive at a well-reasoned conclusion.

   - **Engage in Thoughtful Discussion

Philosophy often comes alive in discussion. Share the ideas you're learning with others-in a class, an online forum, or with friends. Exposure to different thinking will help hone your own reasoning skills and bring out blind spots you may not have noticed.

5. **Build a Philosophical Library**

As you read further in philosophy, you may want to develop your own philosophical library. The following are basic additions that will serve your needs. First, and most obvious, the principal works of the giants: Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche, and others; anthologies of the topic of philosophy - a selection from several philosophers; texts or guidebooks which provide an overview of all, or part of the discipline of philosophy.

 6. **Join a Philosophy Community** 

 Philosophy is best learned within a group. Be it in a class, study group, or online, the discussion of ideas is a way to learn from others. 

 - **Study Groups**: You can create or join a philosophy study group in which the members would go through a philosophical text and discuss it among themselves.

- **Online Communities**: Websites such as the philosophy subreddit on Reddit or Stack Exchange host communities in which you can ask questions, share ideas, and discuss with fellow philosophy students.

 7. **Read Critically and Apply Philosophy to Everyday Life

One of the key aims in studying philosophy is to learn how to think about the world critically. Ask yourself how the philosophical ideas apply to current events or to your own life.

   - **Apply Ideas to Current Events:

Whenever working on political philosophy, ethics, or social philosophy, try to apply the ideas to current issues such as social justice, climate change, or technological ethics.

- **Develop Your Own Philosophical Views:

Over time, aim to develop your own positions on philosophical questions. You may or may not reach definite conclusions, but the act of refining and challenging your own views is the very core of philosophical learning.

 8. **Be Patient and Open-Minded** 

 Philosophy is often a lifetime project, and it often forces one to change long-held convictions. Here are some concluding pieces of advice:

- **Be patient**: It takes time to understand complex philosophical arguments and to refine your own thinking.

   - **Stay open-minded**: The goal of studying philosophy is not just to learn what others think but to engage critically with ideas and possibly reshape your worldview.

 

 Example Study Plan:

- **Month 1**: Read an introductory text like *Sophie's World* or *The Philosophy Book*. Familiarize yourself with the key philosophers and branches of philosophy.

- **Month 2-3**: Read classic works such as *The Republic* by Plato or *Nicomachean Ethics* by Aristotle. Take notes and summarize each chapter.

- **Month 4-6**: To be able to read more challenging texts, for example, Marcus Aurelius' *Meditations*, *Being and Nothingness* by Sartre, or *The Critique of Pure Reason* by Kant. Be prepared to spend more time on these.

- **Throughout the year**: Engage in discussions on ideas, essay writing, and applying logic from philosophy in real life.

By following this approach, you’ll gradually build a solid foundation in philosophy while developing the skills to think critically and deeply about life’s most profound questions.