I am reading a book called A Concise Introduction to Philosophy. It's like a text-book.

I remember when I last tried reading this book I gave up on reading the book because I didn't like studying it... I thought it was silly of me to take it too seriously. Now I'm a little more mature than I was when I was last studying philosophy so I can take the matter more seriously without it destroying the world-views that I have.

I am curious. How should I go about studying philosophy? Should I take a careful approach to philosophy? I know the subject can potentially be damaging to certain people.

[edit on 23-9-2008 by Frankidealist35]

look for that which strengthens your preseant beliefs then become curious and look at the broader spectrum. or just go page by page molding it o yourself as you go.

I don't know you personally so don't take this as an attack:

Don't read philosophy if you arent' looking to expand your horizons.

It's going to raise new questions. Some of it is going to try to raise humanity above the level of God or even say that there is no God.

If you aren't ready to read that, or you're only trying to read it in order to point out the futility of humanism, or something like that... don't bother.

Unfortunately though, I am not the one to tell you where to start, who to read first, although I would think that would kind of depend if there is any specific you are preoccupied with.

My .02

Basically what I do with philosophy is read it, appreciate it, think about it, then take away from it what I like and agree with and believe in and try to apply it to my own life.


:

Everything that was really important to me in life I learned in kindergarten.

My personal suggestion, but I am biased because I do love philosophy so much, is that you start by reading through the general topics which you find the most interesting...this will get you to really enjoy thinking about your reasons for many beliefs.

That said, I agree with asmeone2 that you shouldn't read the subjects which you are currently whoelheartedly opinionated on...I did that and it caused me to spend about a year intensely questioning my very foundation of belief (in my instance, it was God).

Whatever you do, good luck and I hope you find yourself more open-minded and rational!

Ok... I just finished reading the book and I learned all about introductory stuff about Philosophy.

What should I do next?

I have a book about what different philosophers think. Now that I know a bit about philosophical concepts should I read about what specific philosophers think or should I read more about individual concepts like free will?

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
Ok... I just finished reading the book and I learned all about introductory stuff about Philosophy.

What should I do next?

I have a book about what different philosophers think. Now that I know a bit about philosophical concepts should I read about what specific philosophers think or should I read more about individual concepts like free will?

Why not both?
Just read a little bit in general, you'll begin to find topics that interest you and be able to focus on them.

Or you m ay find that you don't like philosophy at all, and that's okay too.

Originally posted by Frankidealist35
I am reading a book called A Concise Introduction to Philosophy. It's like a text-book.

I remember when I last tried reading this book I gave up on reading the book because I didn't like studying it... I thought it was silly of me to take it too seriously. Now I'm a little more mature than I was when I was last studying philosophy so I can take the matter more seriously without it destroying the world-views that I have.

I am curious. How should I go about studying philosophy? Should I take a careful approach to philosophy? I know the subject can potentially be damaging to certain people.

[edit on 23-9-2008 by Frankidealist35]

Um.. I'm going to try and not sound like an ass... but come on ..

It's philosophy for one thing.. it's theorizing, looking at patterns and most times outlandishly uncritical critical thinking.

Another thing... wtf do you mean by destroy the world-views that you have? do you think they are real? or the "right" view? It's called a collaboration of everything you've been subject to..... imagine the day you turn off the sponge that soaks this world up is the day you are severely out of tune with reality, because it is constantly changing.

Potentially damaging? .. please provide some evidence? what the heck are you talking about? ... do you not understand what philosophy is?

What philosophy are you talking about anyway? .. there is Greek Philosophy, American Philosophy, Eastern Indian Philosophy, New Philosophy, and Old Philosophy.. ... and then there are a million things in between.

Maybe you came to the right place if you're asking this question, because it sounds like you're scared of believing things other than what you already believe....

[edit on 10/10/2008 by PuRe EnErGy]