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How can I learn the huge source of philosophical jargon?
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I am not in university for philosophy, so my reading of, say, Timaeus is only assisted by things like SEP.
Reading original texts can already be challenging in terms of jargon--e.g., epistemological, ontological, teleological, a priori, a posteriori, absolutism, existentialism, cosmological, anthropomorphism, determinism, etc.--but it is made even more challenging when reading secondary texts. Sometimes I'll have to look up 30 words in a single secondary text, words so unintuitive and unused that I'm surprised to see they exist. Often times these words are literally created just to represent a very small part of philosophical theory.
So, what is the best way to go about learning these terms? One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs.
language
edited 10 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
1214
asked 13 hours ago
Sermo
13915
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am not in university for philosophy, so my reading of, say, Timaeus is only assisted by things like SEP.
Reading original texts can already be challenging in terms of jargon--e.g., epistemological, ontological, teleological, a priori, a posteriori, absolutism, existentialism, cosmological, anthropomorphism, determinism, etc.--but it is made even more challenging when reading secondary texts. Sometimes I'll have to look up 30 words in a single secondary text, words so unintuitive and unused that I'm surprised to see they exist. Often times these words are literally created just to represent a very small part of philosophical theory.
So, what is the best way to go about learning these terms? One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs.
language
edited 10 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
1214
asked 13 hours ago
Sermo
13915
The Philosopher's Toolkit is a good resource.
– Eliran
11 hours ago
Do you have access to a University library, or good public library? If so, the reference section should contain Encyclopedias of philosophy. Example: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia_of_Philosophy These books will not solve all your problems, but sometimes you will strike gold with a particular entry and it can be very useful.
– Gordon
11 hours ago
2
"One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs." Why not?
– curiousdannii
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am not in university for philosophy, so my reading of, say, Timaeus is only assisted by things like SEP.
Reading original texts can already be challenging in terms of jargon--e.g., epistemological, ontological, teleological, a priori, a posteriori, absolutism, existentialism, cosmological, anthropomorphism, determinism, etc.--but it is made even more challenging when reading secondary texts. Sometimes I'll have to look up 30 words in a single secondary text, words so unintuitive and unused that I'm surprised to see they exist. Often times these words are literally created just to represent a very small part of philosophical theory.
So, what is the best way to go about learning these terms? One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs.
language
edited 10 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
1214
asked 13 hours ago
Sermo
13915
I am not in university for philosophy, so my reading of, say, Timaeus is only assisted by things like SEP.
Reading original texts can already be challenging in terms of jargon--e.g., epistemological, ontological, teleological, a priori, a posteriori, absolutism, existentialism, cosmological, anthropomorphism, determinism, etc.--but it is made even more challenging when reading secondary texts. Sometimes I'll have to look up 30 words in a single secondary text, words so unintuitive and unused that I'm surprised to see they exist. Often times these words are literally created just to represent a very small part of philosophical theory.
So, what is the best way to go about learning these terms? One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs.
language
language
edited 10 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
1214
asked 13 hours ago
Sermo
13915
edited 10 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
1214
asked 13 hours ago
Sermo
13915
edited 10 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
1214
edited 10 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
1214
edited 10 mins ago
Peter Mortensen
1214
1214
asked 13 hours ago
Sermo
13915
asked 13 hours ago
Sermo
13915
asked 13 hours ago
Sermo
13915
13915
The Philosopher's Toolkit is a good resource.
– Eliran
11 hours ago
Do you have access to a University library, or good public library? If so, the reference section should contain Encyclopedias of philosophy. Example: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia_of_Philosophy These books will not solve all your problems, but sometimes you will strike gold with a particular entry and it can be very useful.
– Gordon
11 hours ago
2
"One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs." Why not?
– curiousdannii
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
The Philosopher's Toolkit is a good resource.
– Eliran
11 hours ago
Do you have access to a University library, or good public library? If so, the reference section should contain Encyclopedias of philosophy. Example: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia_of_Philosophy These books will not solve all your problems, but sometimes you will strike gold with a particular entry and it can be very useful.
– Gordon
11 hours ago
2
"One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs." Why not?
– curiousdannii
4 hours ago
The Philosopher's Toolkit is a good resource.
– Eliran
11 hours ago
The Philosopher's Toolkit is a good resource.
– Eliran
11 hours ago
Do you have access to a University library, or good public library? If so, the reference section should contain Encyclopedias of philosophy. Example: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia_of_Philosophy These books will not solve all your problems, but sometimes you will strike gold with a particular entry and it can be very useful.
– Gordon
11 hours ago
Do you have access to a University library, or good public library? If so, the reference section should contain Encyclopedias of philosophy. Example: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia_of_Philosophy These books will not solve all your problems, but sometimes you will strike gold with a particular entry and it can be very useful.
– Gordon
11 hours ago
2
2
"One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs." Why not?
– curiousdannii
4 hours ago
"One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs." Why not?
– curiousdannii
4 hours ago
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Definitely get an introductory text. It's good to get some history, something like Bertrand Russell's History Of Western Philosoohy is very readable, and in bite-size chapters. Then terms like teleology, theodicy, ontology and phenomenology make proper sense, because they were developed at particular times for specific topics and frameworks.
It's great if you can find something with some philosophy of science, of mind, and of politics, too. Ethics and epistemology are givens in a general book. Not sure what to recommend for overview of all, but could suggest books for each.
answered 12 hours ago
CriglCragl
2,2261415
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Here is a link to a website that has gathered a lot of the vocabulary of the various rooms in the house of philosophy: https://www.philosophybasics.com.
I would like to try, however, to change your perspective a little on the study, pursuit, and practice of philosophy. I would like to suggest that it is a way of life more than it is an interest or a study.
From an etymological standpoint, "philosophy" is the love of wisdom, but from a practical standpoint it is the relentless, systematic, impassioned, and kaleidoscopic catalogue of the attempts of humans to answer Thales' question: "What is all of this really?"
The study has been long, but fortunately, about two centuries after Thales began it, Socrates embodied it, and died for it, and Plato wrote a beautiful and brilliant series of dialogues that recorded and systematized Socrates' philosophy and much more.
Some of us think of philosophy as an umbrella for the inquiries of metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. Others have different inquiries under the umbrella, perhaps ethics, theology, or physics.
I put all serious inquiry under the umbrella of philosophy and think of it as the inquiry into inquiry itself.
Philosophy is our way of trying to understand understanding, and everything else. Philosophy is the thing that homo sapiens sapiens do that no other species can.
Unless one is a committed mystic, who believes that everything can be understood in one insight, be it nirvana, Christ's Kingdom of Heaven, or a true view of Tao (the way), the path to real knowledge of this cosmos is long and very challenging. And words are the means by which we navigate that path, chronicle our navigation of it, and guide others along it. They are not impediments or obstacles in the path.
For us non-mystics, it takes a lot of words to express an understanding of the magnitude required to slake our intellectual thirst. Start a love affair with your dictionary and keep it by you as you explore the cosmos.
answered 10 hours ago
Charles Gray
812
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Be aware that terminology changes over time, furthermore different philosophers may intend slightly different things with the same term. Also a word may have a standardized use within Philosophy, that is different from the contemporary colloquial use. Additionally a term's use may be standardized within a particular school of thought, while in another (contemporary)school there may be disagreement. And finally: not all translations are equal...
It is in this landscape that that you will find secondary works very useful. Of course the background and intent of the secondary writer is also important, some will write a critique from the perspective of one school, others will attempt an objective and neutral presentation. Reading the introduction to, and reviews about, a secondary work should help settle these questions.
For a start I would suggest secondary works by the most current and ostensibly neutral writers.
answered 7 hours ago
christo183
506218
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Definitely get an introductory text. It's good to get some history, something like Bertrand Russell's History Of Western Philosoohy is very readable, and in bite-size chapters. Then terms like teleology, theodicy, ontology and phenomenology make proper sense, because they were developed at particular times for specific topics and frameworks.
It's great if you can find something with some philosophy of science, of mind, and of politics, too. Ethics and epistemology are givens in a general book. Not sure what to recommend for overview of all, but could suggest books for each.
answered 12 hours ago
CriglCragl
2,2261415
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Definitely get an introductory text. It's good to get some history, something like Bertrand Russell's History Of Western Philosoohy is very readable, and in bite-size chapters. Then terms like teleology, theodicy, ontology and phenomenology make proper sense, because they were developed at particular times for specific topics and frameworks.
It's great if you can find something with some philosophy of science, of mind, and of politics, too. Ethics and epistemology are givens in a general book. Not sure what to recommend for overview of all, but could suggest books for each.
answered 12 hours ago
CriglCragl
2,2261415
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Definitely get an introductory text. It's good to get some history, something like Bertrand Russell's History Of Western Philosoohy is very readable, and in bite-size chapters. Then terms like teleology, theodicy, ontology and phenomenology make proper sense, because they were developed at particular times for specific topics and frameworks.
It's great if you can find something with some philosophy of science, of mind, and of politics, too. Ethics and epistemology are givens in a general book. Not sure what to recommend for overview of all, but could suggest books for each.
answered 12 hours ago
CriglCragl
2,2261415
Definitely get an introductory text. It's good to get some history, something like Bertrand Russell's History Of Western Philosoohy is very readable, and in bite-size chapters. Then terms like teleology, theodicy, ontology and phenomenology make proper sense, because they were developed at particular times for specific topics and frameworks.
It's great if you can find something with some philosophy of science, of mind, and of politics, too. Ethics and epistemology are givens in a general book. Not sure what to recommend for overview of all, but could suggest books for each.
answered 12 hours ago
CriglCragl
2,2261415
answered 12 hours ago
CriglCragl
2,2261415
answered 12 hours ago
CriglCragl
2,2261415
answered 12 hours ago
CriglCragl
2,2261415
2,2261415
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Here is a link to a website that has gathered a lot of the vocabulary of the various rooms in the house of philosophy: https://www.philosophybasics.com.
I would like to try, however, to change your perspective a little on the study, pursuit, and practice of philosophy. I would like to suggest that it is a way of life more than it is an interest or a study.
From an etymological standpoint, "philosophy" is the love of wisdom, but from a practical standpoint it is the relentless, systematic, impassioned, and kaleidoscopic catalogue of the attempts of humans to answer Thales' question: "What is all of this really?"
The study has been long, but fortunately, about two centuries after Thales began it, Socrates embodied it, and died for it, and Plato wrote a beautiful and brilliant series of dialogues that recorded and systematized Socrates' philosophy and much more.
Some of us think of philosophy as an umbrella for the inquiries of metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. Others have different inquiries under the umbrella, perhaps ethics, theology, or physics.
I put all serious inquiry under the umbrella of philosophy and think of it as the inquiry into inquiry itself.
Philosophy is our way of trying to understand understanding, and everything else. Philosophy is the thing that homo sapiens sapiens do that no other species can.
Unless one is a committed mystic, who believes that everything can be understood in one insight, be it nirvana, Christ's Kingdom of Heaven, or a true view of Tao (the way), the path to real knowledge of this cosmos is long and very challenging. And words are the means by which we navigate that path, chronicle our navigation of it, and guide others along it. They are not impediments or obstacles in the path.
For us non-mystics, it takes a lot of words to express an understanding of the magnitude required to slake our intellectual thirst. Start a love affair with your dictionary and keep it by you as you explore the cosmos.
answered 10 hours ago
Charles Gray
812
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Here is a link to a website that has gathered a lot of the vocabulary of the various rooms in the house of philosophy: https://www.philosophybasics.com.
I would like to try, however, to change your perspective a little on the study, pursuit, and practice of philosophy. I would like to suggest that it is a way of life more than it is an interest or a study.
From an etymological standpoint, "philosophy" is the love of wisdom, but from a practical standpoint it is the relentless, systematic, impassioned, and kaleidoscopic catalogue of the attempts of humans to answer Thales' question: "What is all of this really?"
The study has been long, but fortunately, about two centuries after Thales began it, Socrates embodied it, and died for it, and Plato wrote a beautiful and brilliant series of dialogues that recorded and systematized Socrates' philosophy and much more.
Some of us think of philosophy as an umbrella for the inquiries of metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. Others have different inquiries under the umbrella, perhaps ethics, theology, or physics.
I put all serious inquiry under the umbrella of philosophy and think of it as the inquiry into inquiry itself.
Philosophy is our way of trying to understand understanding, and everything else. Philosophy is the thing that homo sapiens sapiens do that no other species can.
Unless one is a committed mystic, who believes that everything can be understood in one insight, be it nirvana, Christ's Kingdom of Heaven, or a true view of Tao (the way), the path to real knowledge of this cosmos is long and very challenging. And words are the means by which we navigate that path, chronicle our navigation of it, and guide others along it. They are not impediments or obstacles in the path.
For us non-mystics, it takes a lot of words to express an understanding of the magnitude required to slake our intellectual thirst. Start a love affair with your dictionary and keep it by you as you explore the cosmos.
answered 10 hours ago
Charles Gray
812
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Here is a link to a website that has gathered a lot of the vocabulary of the various rooms in the house of philosophy: https://www.philosophybasics.com.
I would like to try, however, to change your perspective a little on the study, pursuit, and practice of philosophy. I would like to suggest that it is a way of life more than it is an interest or a study.
From an etymological standpoint, "philosophy" is the love of wisdom, but from a practical standpoint it is the relentless, systematic, impassioned, and kaleidoscopic catalogue of the attempts of humans to answer Thales' question: "What is all of this really?"
The study has been long, but fortunately, about two centuries after Thales began it, Socrates embodied it, and died for it, and Plato wrote a beautiful and brilliant series of dialogues that recorded and systematized Socrates' philosophy and much more.
Some of us think of philosophy as an umbrella for the inquiries of metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. Others have different inquiries under the umbrella, perhaps ethics, theology, or physics.
I put all serious inquiry under the umbrella of philosophy and think of it as the inquiry into inquiry itself.
Philosophy is our way of trying to understand understanding, and everything else. Philosophy is the thing that homo sapiens sapiens do that no other species can.
Unless one is a committed mystic, who believes that everything can be understood in one insight, be it nirvana, Christ's Kingdom of Heaven, or a true view of Tao (the way), the path to real knowledge of this cosmos is long and very challenging. And words are the means by which we navigate that path, chronicle our navigation of it, and guide others along it. They are not impediments or obstacles in the path.
For us non-mystics, it takes a lot of words to express an understanding of the magnitude required to slake our intellectual thirst. Start a love affair with your dictionary and keep it by you as you explore the cosmos.
answered 10 hours ago
Charles Gray
812
Here is a link to a website that has gathered a lot of the vocabulary of the various rooms in the house of philosophy: https://www.philosophybasics.com.
I would like to try, however, to change your perspective a little on the study, pursuit, and practice of philosophy. I would like to suggest that it is a way of life more than it is an interest or a study.
From an etymological standpoint, "philosophy" is the love of wisdom, but from a practical standpoint it is the relentless, systematic, impassioned, and kaleidoscopic catalogue of the attempts of humans to answer Thales' question: "What is all of this really?"
The study has been long, but fortunately, about two centuries after Thales began it, Socrates embodied it, and died for it, and Plato wrote a beautiful and brilliant series of dialogues that recorded and systematized Socrates' philosophy and much more.
Some of us think of philosophy as an umbrella for the inquiries of metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. Others have different inquiries under the umbrella, perhaps ethics, theology, or physics.
I put all serious inquiry under the umbrella of philosophy and think of it as the inquiry into inquiry itself.
Philosophy is our way of trying to understand understanding, and everything else. Philosophy is the thing that homo sapiens sapiens do that no other species can.
Unless one is a committed mystic, who believes that everything can be understood in one insight, be it nirvana, Christ's Kingdom of Heaven, or a true view of Tao (the way), the path to real knowledge of this cosmos is long and very challenging. And words are the means by which we navigate that path, chronicle our navigation of it, and guide others along it. They are not impediments or obstacles in the path.
For us non-mystics, it takes a lot of words to express an understanding of the magnitude required to slake our intellectual thirst. Start a love affair with your dictionary and keep it by you as you explore the cosmos.
answered 10 hours ago
Charles Gray
812
answered 10 hours ago
Charles Gray
812
answered 10 hours ago
Charles Gray
812
answered 10 hours ago
Charles Gray
812
812
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Be aware that terminology changes over time, furthermore different philosophers may intend slightly different things with the same term. Also a word may have a standardized use within Philosophy, that is different from the contemporary colloquial use. Additionally a term's use may be standardized within a particular school of thought, while in another (contemporary)school there may be disagreement. And finally: not all translations are equal...
It is in this landscape that that you will find secondary works very useful. Of course the background and intent of the secondary writer is also important, some will write a critique from the perspective of one school, others will attempt an objective and neutral presentation. Reading the introduction to, and reviews about, a secondary work should help settle these questions.
For a start I would suggest secondary works by the most current and ostensibly neutral writers.
answered 7 hours ago
christo183
506218
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Be aware that terminology changes over time, furthermore different philosophers may intend slightly different things with the same term. Also a word may have a standardized use within Philosophy, that is different from the contemporary colloquial use. Additionally a term's use may be standardized within a particular school of thought, while in another (contemporary)school there may be disagreement. And finally: not all translations are equal...
It is in this landscape that that you will find secondary works very useful. Of course the background and intent of the secondary writer is also important, some will write a critique from the perspective of one school, others will attempt an objective and neutral presentation. Reading the introduction to, and reviews about, a secondary work should help settle these questions.
For a start I would suggest secondary works by the most current and ostensibly neutral writers.
answered 7 hours ago
christo183
506218
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Be aware that terminology changes over time, furthermore different philosophers may intend slightly different things with the same term. Also a word may have a standardized use within Philosophy, that is different from the contemporary colloquial use. Additionally a term's use may be standardized within a particular school of thought, while in another (contemporary)school there may be disagreement. And finally: not all translations are equal...
It is in this landscape that that you will find secondary works very useful. Of course the background and intent of the secondary writer is also important, some will write a critique from the perspective of one school, others will attempt an objective and neutral presentation. Reading the introduction to, and reviews about, a secondary work should help settle these questions.
For a start I would suggest secondary works by the most current and ostensibly neutral writers.
answered 7 hours ago
christo183
506218
Be aware that terminology changes over time, furthermore different philosophers may intend slightly different things with the same term. Also a word may have a standardized use within Philosophy, that is different from the contemporary colloquial use. Additionally a term's use may be standardized within a particular school of thought, while in another (contemporary)school there may be disagreement. And finally: not all translations are equal...
It is in this landscape that that you will find secondary works very useful. Of course the background and intent of the secondary writer is also important, some will write a critique from the perspective of one school, others will attempt an objective and neutral presentation. Reading the introduction to, and reviews about, a secondary work should help settle these questions.
For a start I would suggest secondary works by the most current and ostensibly neutral writers.
answered 7 hours ago
christo183
506218
answered 7 hours ago
christo183
506218
answered 7 hours ago
christo183
506218
answered 7 hours ago
christo183
506218
506218
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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The Philosopher's Toolkit is a good resource.
– Eliran
11 hours ago
Do you have access to a University library, or good public library? If so, the reference section should contain Encyclopedias of philosophy. Example: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia_of_Philosophy These books will not solve all your problems, but sometimes you will strike gold with a particular entry and it can be very useful.
– Gordon
11 hours ago
2
"One can't just keep popping open the dictionary every couple of paragraphs." Why not?
– curiousdannii
4 hours ago