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How to Read Philosophy (Without Losing Your Mind)

Hello Reader,

Let's tackle a fun question: How do I read philosophy without going insane?

Let’s be honest—philosophy is tough. It’s not structured like a non-fiction book with a clear outline, and it's not like fiction, which gives you a narrative to follow.

Instead, a philosophy book is more like a conversation with someone explaining vague and amorphous ideas. It's like trying to grab bubbles without popping them.

But you can learn to read it well—and enjoy the process. I think it's a skill worth developing because philosophy books are fascinating!

Here are a few tips that help me read philosophy well:

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1. Learn the Vocabulary​
Philosophy has its own language. If you don’t know the basics, every page feels like a brick wall. Here are a few terms every beginner should know:

• A priori – Knowledge independent of experience.
• A posteriori - Knowledge gained from experience.
• Ontology – The study of being.
• Epistemology – The study of knowledge.
• Dialectic – A method of argument involving dialogue between two or more people holding different points of view (Socrates was a master of this).
• Teleology – The explanation of things by their purpose or end.
• Phenomenology – The study of structures of consciousness through experience.
• Metaphysics – The nature of reality beyond the physical.
• Deontology – A moral theory based on rules and duty.
• Utilitarianism – The idea that the best action maximizes overall happiness.

These terms show up constantly. Knowing them makes everything easier.

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2. Philosophers Often Change Their Minds​
It’s not uncommon to read a work by a philosopher, feel like you understand it, and then come across another one of their books that seems to contradict the first. This is normal. A philosopher is a human being, just like you. As they grow older, their ideas about life change and mature. They may contradict themselves or even change their views entirely in later works. Knowing this gives you the freedom to be in conversation with the writer, rather than treat their works like gospel.

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3. Many Philosophers Invent Their Own Terms​
To explain their worldview, philosophers often create their own vocabulary. It can be frustrating at first, but don’t give up. Once you understand how they’re using their terms, their ideas start to open up. For example, Plato talked about “Forms,” Kant developed the “Categorical Imperative,” and Heidegger wrote constantly about that slippery concept called “Dasein.”

My favorite made-up term is Nietzsche’s “Übermensch”—his word for the kind of person who rises above the herd mentality and lives according to their own values.

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4. Pronouns Are a Minefield​
We use pronouns all the time. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun—think “he” instead of “Eddy,” or “it” instead of “car.” But pronouns can create clarity problems. Who is “he”? What is “it”?

Most of the time, we can figure it out from context. But in philosophy, that gets tricky because we’re not always talking about concrete things like Eddy or cars. We’re talking about “Forms” or “Übermensch.”

Tracking what these pronouns refer to can get exhausting, especially when the subject is abstract. Don’t skim. Slow down and backtrack when something feels fuzzy. If you don’t understand a passage, try identifying the pronouns and figuring out what they point to. It really helps—I promise.

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5. Words Matter—Deeply​
In philosophy, words aren’t throwaways—they’re intentional. One misunderstood word can derail an entire paragraph. So pause and ask: What does this word mean in this context? When you do that, things often snap into place.

In a novel, if you come across a word you don’t know, it’s usually not a big deal. In philosophy, it’s the end of the world. Get out the dictionary.

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6. Restate What You Read​
After each paragraph, try to explain it in your own words. If you can’t, slow down and read it again. Don’t panic if you don’t get everything—that’s normal. But avoid pushing ahead blindly. Philosophical ideas build on each other. If you’re lost now, you’ll be more lost ten pages in.

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7. Start with a Broad Overview​
Philosophy is massive. Don’t dive straight into Hegel and expect to swim. Begin with a big-picture book like Sophie's World or a history of philosophy overview. It’ll help you get your bearings and choose which thinkers you want to go deeper with.

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There’s a lot more to say about how to read philosophy. If you enjoyed this week’s newsletter and want to dive deeper, let me know—I’ll keep writing about it.

Philosophy isn't meant to be rushed. It’s a lifelong conversation. If you're willing to be patient, it can change the way you see the world.

👋 Until next time, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.

-Eddy

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New This Week: ​

This Week's Book Recommendation Art & Fear - Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking Listen to the Podcast 20 Brutal Truths Every Reader Needs to Hear | EP 105 Watch the Show The Funniest Way to NEVER FORGET What You Read! Join Us for Book Club How to Get Started (And Why)

This Week's Book Recommendation

Art & Fear

Maybe it’s because I’m writing a novel. Maybe it’s because I’m a creative at heart. All I know is that every word of this book captures exactly what I feel when I create.

Making art is terrifying. It’s vulnerable, self-exposing, and there’s no instruction manual.

I picked up Art & Fear on my trip to NYC last week—yes, from The Strand Bookstore (which was incredible, by the way). It’s a short read—just 118 pages—but I can’t get enough of it.

See Previous Recommendations

Listen to The Podcast

20 Brutal Truths Every Reader Needs to Hear | EP 105

In this episode of The Read Well Podcast, I’m cutting through the excuses lifelong learners love to tell themselves—“I don’t have time,” “I’m not smart enough,” “I just need the perfect system.” Nope. What you really need is discipline, focus, and a willingness to get uncomfortable. I’m sharing 20 blunt tips that will kick you in the pants and help you finally take your learning seriously. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, endlessly collecting books you’ll never read, and scrolling instead of studying—this one’s for you.

Listen Here →

Watch the Show

The Funniest Way to NEVER FORGET What You Read!

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I used to read a book and forget it days later. Then I realized the problem wasn’t my memory—it was how I was approaching the text. In this episode, I’ll explain why remembering is a choice, not a talent. I’ll show you how treating ideas like people you want to know will make them stick.​
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Watch the Video

Hi, I'm Eddy. How Can I Help? Feel free to respond to this email. Let me know how I can make your experience in our reading community better, or if you have questions, I'm all ears. ​ As always, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas. -Eddy

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