How difficult is it to study or ready philosophy?

Question

Considering the nature of study of philosophy do you think a person studying in medical school could do justice by finding time to read philosophy along with studying Medicine?

Answer 1

Absolutely! I believe being well read in philosophy, and more importantly being exposed to some of the ideas of how to analyze philosophical issues using intellectual (instead of emotional) methods is critically important for a medical professional.

It seems there is a disturbing trend toward "activism" by people in many professions that are important to society (medicine, government, law, etc.), but where their actions are not driven by analysis and thought. Instead, their actions are driven by rationalization and pretense that are based on personal or emotional motivations. Philosophy offers the best hope at equiping you with the skills to analyze complex societal issues by decomposing the problems and distilling the issue from your personal viewpoint. One of the first things that formal philosophy tries to do is to at least make you aware that your perception and reality are not necessarily the same thing.

Answer 2

Philosophy is just a grand way of saying 'thinking about stuff'. Even someone who has never been to university, nor even read a book for that matter can engage in philosophy. Of course it helps to do both. It can be done in a casual way or in a serious way or in any way that you see fit.

If you really want to be a doctor or even just a well rounded person I would hope that you would look beyond the merely empirical world and into the world of the complete human being.

I believe that psychology, philosophy and medicine all have overlapping edges. Philosophy can include a wide range of thinking from the nature of reality (metaphysics) to hard logic (which is very similar to mathematics), to religion and the mind-body connection.

Personally I think Plato's Republic should be required reading for not only all doctors but all voters. Perhaps thats too specific, but for a democracy to function properly, we need an educated electorate and I believe thats a good place to start.

Answer 3

depends on the stuff. here's my suggestion. get a reading list from a degree course in philosophy. Start with the First year ones yourself and work up. the nacients are easy but tedious, the Enlightenment ones are complex to say the least while moderns are intricate in their ideas-like heidegger or Wittgenstein.
For a beginner i suggest the folowing;
Plato-The Republic
Descartes-Meditations(a little tough)
Nietzsche-Thus Spoke Zarathustra(fantastic and written like a parable so its easy to read)
For an absolute beginner get Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. A good idea is to get a very basic history of philosophy book and whose theories you like, highlight them and when your finished pursue your studies of these particulae ones. Good luck, it is mind bending but the greatest thing that ever happened to me(yea-dull life i know ;-))

Answer 4

If a philosophical read is what you're after, I would recommend Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. It's a book that integrates the history of philosophy into a fictional plot about a girl who's life is turned upside down when she starts getting mysterious letters in her mailbox. I read the book in one of my college courses and I could not put it down. It's definitely worth your time.

Answer 5

it depends on the book. Some of hte old Greek philosophy is pretty easy to read. Some stuff by Nietzsche can be very thick.

Answer 6

it depends on your mind. philosophy is the 3rd life's science .
being useful for self and others is the main reason of 1st life this is the first step of Evolution.in 2nd life we get perception ability to. and in 3rd life we can discuss about philosophic things, review your life path you can find out what to do. ;)

Answer 7

GO FOR IT. YOU CAN DO IT. STUDY IS STUDY. PHILOSOPHY IS A GREAT BASE FOR ALL THAT WILL HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE BETTER, EXPLAIN YOURSELF,AND UNDERSTAND YOURSELF.HAVE FUN.

Answer 8

o yes u can
m doing med still doing it side by side

Answer 9

Very difficult


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