Let’s tackle a fun question: How do I read philosophy without going insane?
Let’s be honest—philosophy is tough. It’s not structured like a non-fiction book with a clear outline, and it’s not like fiction, which gives you a narrative to follow.
Instead, a philosophy book is more like a conversation with someone explaining vague and amorphous ideas. It’s like trying to grab bubbles without popping them.
But you can learn to read it well—and enjoy the process. I think it’s a skill worth developing because philosophy books are fascinating!
Here are a few tips that help me read philosophy well:
1. Learn the Vocabulary
Philosophy has its own language. If you don’t know the basics, every page feels like a brick wall. Here are a few terms every beginner should know:
- A priori – Knowledge independent of experience.
- A posteriori – Knowledge gained from experience.
- Ontology – The study of being.
- Epistemology – The study of knowledge.
- Dialectic – A method of argument involving dialogue between two or more people holding different points of view (Socrates was a master of this).
- Teleology – The explanation of things by their purpose or end.
- Phenomenology – The study of structures of consciousness through experience.
- Metaphysics – The nature of reality beyond the physical.
- Deontology – A moral theory based on rules and duty.
- Utilitarianism – The idea that the best action maximizes overall happiness.
These terms show up constantly. Knowing them makes everything easier.
2. Philosophers Often Change Their Minds
It’s not uncommon to read a work by a philosopher, feel like you understand it, and then come across another one of their books that seems to contradict the first. This is normal. A philosopher is a human being, just like you. As they grow older, their ideas about life change and mature. They may contradict themselves or even change their views entirely in later works. Knowing this gives you the freedom to be in conversation with the writer, rather than treat their works like gospel.
3. Many Philosophers Invent Their Own Terms
To explain their worldview, philosophers often create their own vocabulary. It can be frustrating at first, but don’t give up. Once you understand how they’re using their terms, their ideas start to open up. For example, Plato talked about “Forms,” Kant developed the “Categorical Imperative,” and Heidegger wrote constantly about that slippery concept called “Dasein.”
My favorite made-up term is Nietzsche’s “Übermensch”—his word for the kind of person who rises above the herd mentality and lives according to their own values.
4. Pronouns Are a Minefield
We use pronouns all the time. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun—think “he” instead of “Eddy,” or “it” instead of “car.” But pronouns can create clarity problems. Who is “he”? What is “it”?
Most of the time, we can figure it out from context. But in philosophy, that gets tricky because we’re not always talking about concrete things like Eddy or cars. We’re talking about “Forms” or “Übermensch.”
Tracking what these pronouns refer to can get exhausting, especially when the subject is abstract. Don’t skim. Slow down and backtrack when something feels fuzzy. If you don’t understand a passage, try identifying the pronouns and figuring out what they point to. It really helps—I promise.
5. Words Matter—Deeply
In philosophy, words aren’t throwaways—they’re intentional. One misunderstood word can derail an entire paragraph. So pause and ask: What does this word mean in this context? When you do that, things often snap into place.
In a novel, if you come across a word you don’t know, it’s usually not a big deal. In philosophy, it’s the end of the world. Get out the dictionary.
6. Restate What You Read
After each paragraph, try to explain it in your own words. If you can’t, slow down and read it again. Don’t panic if you don’t get everything—that’s normal. But avoid pushing ahead blindly. Philosophical ideas build on each other. If you’re lost now, you’ll be more lost ten pages in.
7. Start with a Broad Overview
Philosophy is massive. Don’t dive straight into Hegel and expect to swim. Begin with a big-picture book like Sophie’s World or a history of philosophy overview. It’ll help you get your bearings and choose which thinkers you want to go deeper with.
There’s a lot more to say about how to read philosophy. If you enjoyed this week’s newsletter and want to dive deeper, let me know—I’ll keep writing about it.
Philosophy isn’t meant to be rushed. It’s a lifelong conversation. If you’re willing to be patient, it can change the way you see the world.
👋 Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
