Learning & Thinking
Philosophy Reading
Read the primary text, then rebuild the argument in your own words
The difference from ordinary reading is pace: rereading one page several times is normal speed, and finishing a chapter matters less than being able to restate the argument in your own words. A reliable secondary guide read first saves a great deal of effort, since going straight at the text tends to leave you with vocabulary only.
First stepRead a reliable introduction first, then one chapter of a philosopher's own text, and write their argument out in your own words.
Barriers
Cost to start
Under $50
Going deep → $300–2k
Alone or with people
On your own
Effort
Sitting
Without a teacher?
Self-taught
One session takes
1–2 hours
Where
At home
Why people take it up