How to Read Philosophy (And Other Difficult Books)
A comprehensive guide to tackling complex texts.
12 hours.
That’s how long I spent reading and decoding 15 pages of Henri Bergson's “Creative Evolution” — only to be told by my Seminar supervisor that everything I thought I knew was wrong.
Philosophy is a difficult practice. Continental Philosophy especially, is like reading a cryptic piece of poetry.
Philosophers put up barriers — they only want the most intelligent to engage with, and challenge their work. They fill them with complex and compound jargon that seems like nonsense to the everyday reader.
At times, it feels like Philosophy is impossible to understand.
But just because you or I can’t understand these on first attempt, doesn’t mean these texts should be forgotten. This style of reading just takes practice, and when accustomed to it; you will be able to understand them with ease.
Even if reading them is a hard slog, they contain important truths and insights into reality which, when properly internalised — could change your life for the better. You should bother with them.
If you’re struggling to break the barrier of jargon which is holding your understanding back; here are things you can…