The Best Line in ALL of Philosophy
(In My Opinion)
đź‘‹ Hey Reader,
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In 1762, a Swiss philosopher named Jean-Jacques Rousseau published the best line in all of philosophy. You can find it in Book III of his work, The Social Contract. I’ll share the line with you in just a moment, and then I’ll explain why it’s so valuable—not just to philosophers, but to anyone who wants to be a better reader.
The Line​
First, let’s read the line together. Keep in mind that The Social Contract is a work on political philosophy, and Rousseau is discussing some weighty ideas. The line reads:
"I warn the reader that this chapter requires careful reading, and that I am unable to make myself clear to those who refuse to be attentive."
Notice that the line isn’t philosophical in itself, but rather an instruction on how to read philosophically--that's why it's so valuable. The author is about to communicate something important. If the reader refuses to be attentive, the transfer of knowledge will fail.
Be Attentive to the Question​
Let’s talk about what it means to be attentive as a reader. There are several things worth considering. First, the decision to be attentive must happen every reading session. You cannot decide once and for all that you will be a strong reader. Each time you read, you must approach it with mental purpose—yes, even if it’s for fun. If you’re diving into a fantasy book this weekend and refuse to be attentive, you’ll get lost, wondering who the characters are and why they’re on the page.
Second, being attentive means looking for the question. Every conversation is about a question. Every relationship circles around a question. Every page in a book is asking a question. If you want to become more attentive, practice asking yourself, “What's the question we're trying to answer?”
Don’t settle for a general idea.
Case in point: we just read Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin in book club. You could say, “This book explores the idea of love.” Sure, that’s true—but a more refined question might be: “How does my self-image impact my quality of life and the lives of others? When I look in the mirror, am I being honest with myself?” That’s much more specific, and closer to the goal.
Be Attentive to All Arguments​
Next, pay attention to the arguments the book presents in response to its question. If the author is skilled, they’ll offer multiple sides or viewpoints. See if you can identify them—and even write them down.
If you’re reading for fun, you might think, “This sounds awful, Eddy. I’m reading about dragons and vampires because I don’t want to think right now.” That’s fine. But even then, take a moment to notice: is it possible that your experience with dragons and vampires might improve if you try some of these ideas? It's worth a shot.
Be Attentive to Your Reaction​
Finally, pay attention to your own reaction, but be VERY careful about quick, gut-based judgements.
Here’s a quick story:
Last week, I was in St. Louis for the National Ethics Bowl, where colleges from around the country compete in philosophical and ethical debate. Each college is usually led by a philosophy professor. I was there as a judge, scoring these incredible students on their ethical arguments.
Because I’m older than the students, the professors invited me to join them in the evenings. I dined with some of the best philosophers in the country, and as they discussed freedom of speech, animal rights, AI, bioethics, and more, I learned one crucial lesson about forming an opinion: when asked about something they hadn’t fully considered, they would say, “I don’t have a fully formed position on that yet. I need time to think.”
That’s my advice for the final step of reading: act like those philosophers. After finishing a book, take time before forming your opinion on its conclusions. Don’t rush to a gut reaction. Wait a week, reflect on what you’ve learned, compare it to other ideas, and only then form your argument.
The Default Position is Distraction​
Let’s circle back to Rousseau, and read the line one more time.
“I warn the reader that this chapter requires careful reading, and that I am unable to make myself clear to those who refuse to be attentive.”
This, to me, the best line in all of philosophy. An idea is being conveyed. The author has worked hard to put their thoughts on paper. The responsibility to be attentive is yours. If you refuse to be attentive, then the default readering experience is distraction. Real learning—the kind that can actually improve your life—requires effort.
đź“š Until next time, read slowly - take notes - apply the ideas.
-Eddy
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Book Recommendation
The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
What We're Reading in Book Club
The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin
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