If you get stuck reading philosophy, do this.

From our video: NIETZSCHE Explained: The Joyful Science | God Is Dead | Eternal Recurrence (Full Analysis)

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OUR ANALYSES:

[dubiousjack]

I first heard you mention this specifically in the context of Nietzsche, though of course it could apply to other philosophers you’re struggling with, but it didn’t really click for me til I read Descartes advising this in his letter to the translator of his Principles of Philosophy. In his words, read one time straight through, as if it were a novel, to get a general outline. Then if you believe the ideas merit further examination, to read it again to observe the development of his reasonings, marking where you find difficulties but again not perseverating too much. And if you’re interested enough to take it up a third time, he assures the reader that further reading will inevitably reveal the solutions to even the toughest difficulties. That last part may not apply to everyone with every thinker but it was really interesting to see someone of his caliber who, like Nietzsche, was addressing an educated audience, giving general advice on how best to read his philosophy.