how to read and write philosophy

If your paper is well organized, the reader will be led along in what seems a natural way. It isn't always easy to find friends interesting in discussing philosophy at length — but often other members of your class will be willing to talk about the content of assignments. There should be a logical progression of ideas - one that will be easy for the reader to follow. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You can see it's nothing like a novel or an encyclopedia entry. It’s disorienting and exhilarating at once. If you are a reader, you would like to read that you can understand without ... Introduction of your paper. Write to learn. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Organize carefully. Introduce your paper with relevant details. Even when you're the only one who ever sees the results of your explorations, trying to put them down in written form often helps, and when you wish to communicate to others, the ability to write clear, meaningful prose is vital. Choose a type of philosophy. State your thesis clearly and concisely in your introduction so that your reader understands what your paper sets out to achieve. There is more than one way to skin a cat; there is also more than one way to write a philosophical work. Don't try to establish any earth- shattering conclusions in your 5-6 page paper. Before actually starting to read, skim the paper to get a sense of the main … Make a conclusion of your paper. How do you approach it? Philosophy is reflective: while it's perfectly OK to think while you are reading, you should go through your responses at least three times to be sure they really hold up. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 32,079 times. As you read, ask yourself the following: What philosophical question(s) is … Keep a pencil and highlighter with you and mark down what seems to you the crucial passages: where the main thesis is stated; where key concepts are introduced; where key arguments or reasons are provided. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. In addition to differences in types of philosophical writing, there are differences in the goals one might have when reading philosophy. 2 sBegin by formulating your precise thesis. That is why it is important to use your introduction wisely. Peter Lipton. Philosophical works need to be read slowly and with focused attention. Explain and support your thesis. Together, you may come to conclusions you wouldn't have thought of on your own. Before you start to write make an outline of how you want to argue. One of the best ways to understand and analyze a philosophical piece is to discuss it with others. My basic beliefs are: x,y,z). When you read a philosophical piece you are reading the opinion of an author who is trying to persuade you of the plausibility or implausibility of a position. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Share the love!

The print version of … Writing Philosophy: A Student's Guide to Reading and Writing Philosophy Essays Complete Writing Philosophy: A Student's Guide to Reading and Writing Philosophy Essays, Second Edition, is a concise, self-guided manual that covers how to read philosophy and the basics of argumentative essay writing. This might become one of the three or four major foci of your teaching philosophy. By using our site, you agree to our. To create this article, 14 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. His research focuses on metaphysics, ethics, and philosophy of biology. So, remember: be humble, patient, and meticulous. What excites me so much about reading philosophy is the opportunity to have … Once you've skimmed the piece, you'll be better equipped to dive in and read the entire text intelligently. Start reading and learning. Awkward writing makes the reader uncomfortable. Don’t try to introduce your argument within a grand historical narrative, for example. Writing a philosophy paper is quite different from other types of papers. Instead, you rely on the phrases and constructions of the author you are discussing. I. Awkwardness. Prepare a draft of your paper. Always carry a notepad and pencil with an eraser on it, this will ensure you can correct any mistakes quickly. Can you give me a good list of books. How Should You Write a Philosophy Essay Body? Philosophical thought is organized … Originality . Capturing your thoughts quickly is vital to being a philosopher and writer, lest you lose it. Andrea Borghini, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at the University of Milan, Italy. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Write in a simple language. How to write a philosophy book - the monograph as laboratory. Cultivate Philosophical Empathy and Self-Criticism, Stoics and Moral Philosophy - The 8 Principles of Stoicism, René Descartes' "Proofs of God's Existence", The 5 Great Schools of Ancient Greek Philosophy, Moral Philosophy According to Immanuel Kant, B.A., Philosophy, University of Florence, Italy. As you are sorting and fine-tuning your critical remarks, double-check the text to refresh your memory, sharpen your thoughts, and make sure you properly interpreted the author. Get to the point quickly and without digression. % of people told us that this article helped them. So you have a philosophical piece in your hand, for the very first time. Before I start writing, I want to read some books about philosophy. Your introduction is important because it gives readers a first impression of your paper. Start with Idiot's Guide to Philosophy and go from there. Done properly, philosophy moves at a slow pace. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Write-Philosophy-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Write-Philosophy-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Write-Philosophy-Step-1.jpg\/aid899239-v4-728px-Write-Philosophy-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":353,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"558","licensing":"