Philosophy is like any other un-explored world. No one will stop you from exploring, roam to your heart's content! You can take things very traditionally and read the classic texts, or you can go straight to modern day publications.
It all depends on what you want from it! There is no 'right' way. If you want a structured discipline, start with the major ancient philosophers and work through the time line. Or if you wish, you can choose an area you are familiar with and see how it ties into philosophy. (for example, if you are interested in medicine, try reading up on medical ethics!)
At the end of the day philosophy is about loving knowledge. Follow what knowledge interests you. It's not about seeking approval from others. It's about seeking wisdom.
One way to philosophize, and I think this is implied, or even assumed at times, within philosophy, is to work to carry a concept out "over its jurisdiction". When you read a concept or think it, it has a meaning and a kind of "jurisdiction" that applies all over the place. Philosophical terms are notoriously general. When you use a term, it applies variously and all over the place. So to start using the term philosophical means to start seeing examples of what falls under that term.
This kind of philosophizing falls a bit short of plunging in to "arguments" or developing thought, creating broader structures. Rather, these are based on this other kind of philosophizing. It means that when you encounter a concept, you need to start generating example after example of a given thing. I'll take something right here: "encounter": what is an encounter? What does it mean to encounter? What are encounters when they happen? When do encounters take place? Does a theory encounter a theory? Does a person encounter a theory? Another person? Why is the word "counter" in "encounter"? It seems to have to do with the same root as countenance. In any case, here is where philosophy starts happening: as you encounter this concept, in this case, of encountering, you turn the world on its side. Whereas before you were dealing with the things that are in the world according to their usual circuits, relationships, etc., their usual engagements, situations, and so forth, and yes that includes the occasional encounter, such as an encounter with a large mouse, say, in the kitchen, now you are reading off the meaning of "encounter" across situations and focusing, even in special way fixating on this one concept as you explore it.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
Philosophy is like any other un-explored world. No one will stop you from exploring, roam to your heart's content! You can take things very traditionally and read the classic texts, or you can go straight to modern day publications.
It all depends on what you want from it! There is no 'right' way. If you want a structured discipline, start with the major ancient philosophers and work through the time line. Or if you wish, you can choose an area you are familiar with and see how it ties into philosophy. (for example, if you are interested in medicine, try reading up on medical ethics!)
At the end of the day philosophy is about loving knowledge. Follow what knowledge interests you. It's not about seeking approval from others. It's about seeking wisdom.
Answer:
One way to philosophize, and I think this is implied, or even assumed at times, within philosophy, is to work to carry a concept out "over its jurisdiction". When you read a concept or think it, it has a meaning and a kind of "jurisdiction" that applies all over the place. Philosophical terms are notoriously general. When you use a term, it applies variously and all over the place. So to start using the term philosophical means to start seeing examples of what falls under that term.
This kind of philosophizing falls a bit short of plunging in to "arguments" or developing thought, creating broader structures. Rather, these are based on this other kind of philosophizing. It means that when you encounter a concept, you need to start generating example after example of a given thing. I'll take something right here: "encounter": what is an encounter? What does it mean to encounter? What are encounters when they happen? When do encounters take place? Does a theory encounter a theory? Does a person encounter a theory? Another person? Why is the word "counter" in "encounter"? It seems to have to do with the same root as countenance. In any case, here is where philosophy starts happening: as you encounter this concept, in this case, of encountering, you turn the world on its side. Whereas before you were dealing with the things that are in the world according to their usual circuits, relationships, etc., their usual engagements, situations, and so forth, and yes that includes the occasional encounter, such as an encounter with a large mouse, say, in the kitchen, now you are reading off the meaning of "encounter" across situations and focusing, even in special way fixating on this one concept as you explore it.