I'm a philosophy major, and all the books that I read are difficult. I mean is it possible to actually understand these books? Did I choose the wrong major? I have to finish my master's thesis anyways. How can I manage this?
2007-01-22 03:47:30 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Well, don't be too concerned, most philosophy is dense and difficult to understand. The best way to approach the books is by reading them slowly and carefully- often much interpretation is needed, so take your time to really understand the way that the thinkers are using their terms and to get a grasp of what they are saying.
I love philosophy, but I agree that reading philosophical texts can often be a boring and tedious task. What get's me through these readings is knowing that each of these texts hold nuggets of wisdom, which can be found by sifting through their writings. I like to think of it as a treasure hunt- the reading of the texts is no fun much like digging around for buried treasure in the dessert can be no fun- however, once you have found that bit of insight, all of the toil was worth your trouble.
2007-01-22 04:08:04 · answer #1 · answered by hypnoticduck45 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is it that you don't understand?
I have been reading Aristotle's Poetics for years... Sometimes, I scan a page and have to read it 10 times before I can filter and really grasp what he is saying.
Start with the simple ones like Descartes.
My best bet to show that you are doing the work and trying to grasp it is to include just that very thing... "This will take a lifetime to process as these processes take lifetimes to document, understand and live." We learn through experience... and to experience something is to have learned it first hand.
"Of all the faculties with which nature endows us, we first acquire the potentiality and only later effect it's actualization."
The dictionary helps a lot too... You would be surprised to learn how many of us use words in the English language everyday without really knowing and understanding what they truly mean.
Take it slow and don't beat yourself up over it. Consider yourself as lucky and as privileged to be in a place in your life where you have the opportunity to learn these things and give yourself time to absorb these sometimes ancient philosophies... I'm sure your professor doesn't expect you to become a master overnight and probably would prefer feeling that they actually had something to teach you.
2007-01-22 04:29:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, some say that philosophy is nothing more than a game played with words. While you may have indeed chosen the wrong major, at least to judge by interest, you can probably sneak your way through by using words finding under what conditions one can and cannot use words like "epistemology" and then follow suite.
2007-01-22 03:57:00 · answer #3 · answered by The Armchair Explorer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Philosophy is a wonderful subject, but its also really hard to grasp too if you arent used to thinking in that way. Don't worry if you find it hard to read. most people find something difficult. make sure you are in a good mood before you start reading otherwise you will just get annoyed or frustrated!! :@ argh!! i know a really good website that has forums open for discussion on loads of different philosophical ideas. its: www.onlinedebate.net
its very friendly and i think it might help you! good luck and enjoy what a wonderful subject you are doing! :P
2007-01-22 04:34:21 · answer #4 · answered by angelchild 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What on earth are you talking about?
If you can't understand why... how did you end up in a situation wherein you're doing a Master's thesis?
Bugger the notion of choosing the wrong major - you shouldn't have got past 'first year'.
Paul
2007-01-22 03:59:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-11-26 02:05:48 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might need to pick up a good philosophical dictionary. Simon Blackburn has compiled a nice lexical resource. You might find his dictionary of some assistance.
2007-01-22 05:31:31 · answer #7 · answered by sokrates 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep doing whatever you did to get your BA and you will fool them into believing that you read and understood the books they told you to learn from. This is SO SAD!!!!
2007-01-22 03:51:53 · answer #8 · answered by BANANA 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
im 52 years old and i alwayes wishes to know phylos.if you like it you wiil underestand it and you find your way.
2007-01-22 03:58:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋