How to Study Philosophy

The speaker advises approaching academic philosophy like a scientist, but with the brain as the only instrument. Philosophers use reason to answer non-empirical questions, similar to how scientists offer hypotheses. They are methodical, rational, and aim for objective truth when exploring complex questions like the nature of knowledge, morality, or the existence of a creator. Adopting this mindset helps in becoming comfortable with the discipline.

It's crucial to read philosophical texts yourself, rather than relying solely on lectures or summaries. Reading firsthand allows you to experience the arguments, understand the logical flow, and observe how authors address objections and nuances. While challenging at first, consistent reading strengthens your mind and improves comprehension, even if you don't fully grasp everything instantly.

When reading, only highlight or underline the most important phrases, avoiding excessive marking. More importantly, actively summarize the content in your own words in the margins. This method, exemplified by notes on articles by David Chalmers and Thomas Nagel, forces you to process and understand the material, making it more useful for exam preparation and paper writing than simply highlighting.

Based on your sparingly underlined text and margin summaries, create a consolidated notes page. This involves organizing the main points and arguments in your own words, using a word processor or similar tool. This personalized summary will be highly valuable for studying and writing, as it presents the information in a way that is easily understandable and retrievable for you. The initial draft may not be perfect, but it can be refined over time.

To summarize, study philosophy by treating it like a science focused on non-empirical questions using only your mind. Read diligently and firsthand, even when difficult, as it builds mental strength. Underline sparingly and summarize systematically in your own words. Finally, compile these notes into a consolidated document for effective review and preparation. Approaching philosophy with an open mind can make it a thrilling, albeit sometimes unsettling, discipline.