On Reading and Writing Philosophy -- The Different Ways -- How I Became A Better Philosopher (And How You Can Too)
Updated: Jul 23
Abstract
I argue that unconventional thinking is essential for philosophical inquiry. Even without formal training or extensive reading, one can develop their own philosophical ideas through independent thought and critical reflection.
I also describe their personal experience with fatigue that limited my ability to read traditionally. However, this compelled to develop new methods for philosophical exploration, like the "donut method" where you contemplate an idea until they reach a complete circle of understanding.
Moving on, I believe that anyone can philosophize, regardless of background, and that the key is to question, doubt, and relentlessly seek answers.
Finaly, I criticize the over-reliance on reading the works of others, arguing that competent philosophical work comes from independent thinking and synthesizing your own ideas.
I acknowledge the value of studying established philosophers but believe it shouldn't be the only path. Lastly I reject the idea that philosophy requires acceptance of limitations or emotional comfort. I claim that a more-successful understanding comes through a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a willingness to confront difficult truths.
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"Unconventional thinking from unconventional individuals is the lifeblood of innovation. They are the people who see things in a new way, and because of this, they often come up with truly unconventional ideas. Ideas that conventional thinkers would never think of.
And while it's true that many unconventional individuals do not have formal training in science or engineering, that doesn't mean they can't be just as successful as those who do. In fact, unconventional thinkers created some of the most profound unconventional ideas of all time." -- Phil McKinney
Introduction: My Unconventional Joruney Towards Reclamation
As you may know, the traditional path to philosophical exploration is paved with reading the works of great thinkers. After all, many philosophers have built their ideas upon the foundations laid by those who came before them. As Plato did from Socrates, as Paul the Apostle from the teachings of Stoicism and so on.
However, what often gets overlooked is the potential for independent philosophical inquiry, even without delving into the vast pool of existing, expected material. While engaging with the thoughts of others can undoubtedly be enriching, it's not a prerequisite for becoming a good philosopher. For benefit does not imply necessity.
For five years, a grave fatigue rendered reading a near-impossible task. The threat of complete paralysis loomed large, creating a constant internal conflict and stress I needed to reduce. On one hand, the established path to philosophical growth seemed closed off. On the other hand, I witnessed a disturbing lack of genuine understanding among many readers regarding my condition. This left me terribly depressed and lonely. Inside of me, I still urged to contribute to humanity.
Seeds of Transformation
Consumed by a complex mix of shame, frustration and rage of my limitations, I embarked on a different path. I learned to quiet the storm of emotions within and focus on developing my own philosophical infrastructure, as I envisioned Philosocom to become like a highly connected metropolis to as many good insight as I could research and distill. This personal struggle, motivated by a former quest for revenge, ultimately fueled a deeper exploration of ideas.
This passionate discontent, inspired by the fictional Sith philosophy, has proved that the key to philosophical inquiry lies not just in consuming the thoughts of others, but also in the independent cultivation of critical thinking and original conclusions.
This is not to dismiss the value of studying established philosophers. Their work offers invaluable insights and challenges our assumptions. Nevertheless, A competent philosophical exploration thrives on the ability to think for oneself, question deeply-held beliefs, and to build upon existing knowledge, while forging your own path, away from stagnation found in oppression and in herd mentality.
Before devising my neuroplastic method to greater freedom, the "Inner Murder" technique, I sought other ways to philosophize, and even managed to criticize the imperative regard for external research. After all, philosophical examination is, too, part of the process towards greater clarity in this field of study...
One way I do so is by using a method I call the "donut": simply have an idea you want to contemplate, and write on it as much as you can, until you reach an ending that completes the entire piece, AKA "full circle". I was inspired by Darth Vader's final fight with Obi Wan when I devised this one. Before mass article renovating began, it used to be my primary method of writing articles. I find this method could be useful, because we should consider that, not the entirety of our material has to come from other people, be it friends, mentors, or other philosophers, known or esoteric. Furthermore, it can greatly develop independent thinking.
Another method I chose was reflective thinking. I mentally jumped into the past and relived it again and again, examining every bliss and every fault, in order to synthesize insights for newly-crafted articles. Nowadays I use reflective thinking as part of my ongoing Renvoation Operation of all Philosocom articles. It's mainly present in the site's Subcategory on the Past.
Critique of Reading As a Primary Study Tool
Those who rely only on reading fail to realize, I believe, that they already have knowledge within them that they can develop through philosophizing. Knowledge isn't merely to be gained and memorized like school teaches many of us. It is to be inspected, and insights are to be derived from it. Since everything can in theory be reduced to mathematical observation, every bit of the human experience can as such be reduced to an indefinite stream of generated data units. The human mind, in this sense, is like a computer converting data into a virtual, interactable reality.
I no longer take pride in being such a dedicated reader. I today understand that the production of material doesn't always have to come from predeceasing material. Furthermore... reading skill can be reduced, and thus, be lost to you.
When our reading skills are reduced and we refuse to find other studying methods, we comrpomise our general learning abilities, imperative for our growth (like in the professional realm) and for our maturity. Thus, when it comes to the end of learning, the end justifies many, many ethical means of doing it. And thus balance can be ideal.
Balancing independent thought with established knowledge is also essential, as foundational texts can provide critical perspectives and frameworks. -- Mr. John Igwe
Over the past few years I’ve had an uncomfortable sense that someone, or something, has been tinkering with my brain, remapping the neural circuitry, reprogramming the memory.
My mind isn’t going—so far as I can tell—but it’s changing. I’m not thinking the way I used to think. I can feel it most strongly when I’m reading. Immersing myself in a book or a lengthy article used to be easy. My mind would get caught up in the narrative or the turns of the argument, and I’d spend hours strolling through long stretches of prose.
That’s rarely the case anymore. Now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do. I feel as if I’m always dragging my wayward brain back to the text. The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle. -- The Atlantic.
Such a cognitive reality, when recognized as a flawed liability, to not be embraced, can be better fixed for the sake of our intelligence.
The Internal Liabilities -- Overcome Them!
Anyone can philosophize, whether you're a child or a well-experienced professor. It is merely a skill that can be developed like with many other skills. It does not have to be the sole property of elitist intellects and accomplished academics. Much can be done with training... as long as its agony is to be overcome in its grip over you.
Basically, it takes is to doubt, to ask, and to inquire relentlessly, until you find an answer. However, when an answer is found, seek why not be pleased with it. And doing so would allow you to further inquire. You cannot inquire effectively when you are pleased with your results. I rightfully critcize the hedonistic approach. Steal away your joy when it arrives, for its satisfaction can keep retaining you in an otherwise-bigger cage of ignorance.
And it is a bigger ignorance than you might initally realize, for its bars are the false confidence of knowledge. It is not something that can only be retained through older material. Rather, it is a skill, an art, developed through discipline: The art of choosing, and for granted, to be displeased, in the name of understanding this reality, better than before.
For mental shortcuts are a great liability. When we have much time to reflect and contemplate, these shortcuts are not even needed as much. For time is to be treated like the precious, limited resource it is.
Questioning "Superior" Methodologies As Such
When people say, in pride, that they have read Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and so on, they might fail to understand that the very same insights that they have read, can also be attained independently, through deep thinking. Reading, therefore, is merely the acquisition of recorded knowledge, knowledge that you can reach on your own, if you practice.
Everyone has their own way or doing things. Everyone has their own direction they like to go. If four people ask for directions to the same location, and get four different answers, is one direction better than the other if they all get to their destination safely and in a reasonable amount of time? -- Amy Masson
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Former Regrets, Redeem Their Faults!
If it weren't for my past, asthma-related chronic fatigue, I would've gladly resumed the orthodox, academic path. It would've added to my recognition as a philosopher to have a degree or two in that field. However, as my solitary contemplations birthed the degree fallacy, I realized my path to the truth is and probably will be a solitary one, accompanied only by volunteers and followers.
What is the point of research in philosophy other than providing evidence for your own argument's credibility? It is part of the process. And however beneficial it is. It is never the entire process. You must be able to use creative thinking to synthesize your way towards insights and solutions people didn't think about before. Insights, people not be able to realize nor even reach by their lonesome.
I never wanted you to confidently tell you, to feel free to do [external] research on your own, without me doing it first. Whenever I said it it was said reluctantly... It is not your task to accommodate my decreasing weakness in this profession. As content creator, it is my task to overcome this weakness for you, again and again, as I try working towards a greater philosophy blog with each renovation. I will not risk physical paralysis, but for that I mustn't not choose to cower from it, but dare. Dare to solidify my mind, to be able to function seperately from what it feels.
Noting the Gap In Relatability
I do not expect you to understand fully, for my life's been horribly unconventional, as well as solitary in my endeavours for a better, more-professional mind. One, that isn't as easily triggered by mere text. Those advocating trigger warnings merely prevent their own confrontation with a reality they refuse observing, or remembering again. For some data is too agonizing for them to strongly endure.
No. The search for the truth requires honest dedication. And to see that dedication through, your mind, must, be stronger. It won't be able to contain data as better, otherwise.
I have no desire excusing my way towards not improving my skills as a philosopher. No. When there is a will, a way can be thought of. As unconventional as literally mastering the ability to temporarily kill off your own emotions, using your own mind.
The Pain -- Live Despite It!
The shame was too much to bear. I refused being so submissive to my own fatigue. It used to take away my ability to walk without a cane. It used to compromise my thinking. Of course, of course I refused simply embracing such a reality in a Taoist manner.
No. I couldn't be the writer and thinker I am if I wasn't as merciless towards my existence, and ruthless in my traning towards greater virtue.
Philosophy is hard to be enjoyed by many. Few do it like sorcerers. That is how weakness is breached, again and again: By the regular, disciplined choices of resistance.
The Need For a Change
Like Heisenberg from Breaking Bad, I observed the world around me in my weakend state. I saw how people walked so easily and quickly, opened doors by themselves without needing external help, talking to people without being so fatigued each conversation... Finally, I saw as people mocked me for my inferior state, refusing to study the person before them.
It was then when something cracked in me: The faith in an-already enlightened humanity. A humanity that seeks to breach its Platonic cave. But even in philosophy circles, few managed to understand...
And thus, the quest to greater clarity became my own chosen task to carry out. Because if they, and you, refuse to understand, then it is my ruthless responsibility to hone my literacy, until you actually manage to understand.
Overcoming Self-Imposed limitations
And what other difficult challenge is there in philosophy, other than having your texts properly understood by those who read you?
Relentless professionality and relentless altruism were powers I had to reclaim. Powers I had before. Life's monotony was too hard to bear... and reminded me of Sisyphus each second of doing it. But I can't be understood if I don't learn. I can't be understood if I don't communicate effectively. And I cannot further rectify this heavily flawed world, when both departments are impaired.
As much, you may tell yourselves, "I can't do it! Philosophy is too hard and/or too boring for me". However, see how you comrpomise your own growth by refusing looking both ways.
I don't know why many people can be this self-forgiving, self-accepting. But that didn't, doesn't and will not hinder me from cruelfully training myself towards greater and greater growth. I will still attempt to write, research and renovate articles. And that doesn't has to do with what I feel, what I think and what I momentarily crave.
"And life confided the secret to me: behold, it said, I am that which must always overcome itself.” -- Friedrich Nietzsche
Perceived Data -- Study It!
Try to reflect on my personal story, and learn from it, if you want to become a better reader and researcher. Avoid ad-hominems, avoid whataboutisms. Are you not here to learn from what I write for you?
The understanding of a methodology is not enough. Strengthen of your spirit! Without the means for effective methodology, you cannot practice it effectively. You must utilize your cognitive functions as tools, creating a syndicate out of them, for the common end of greater knowledge and understanding of this reality.
Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to use philosophy to help others effectively. You must first of all help yourself. And you can do it best with uncompromising choice, to give up, on giving up.
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