The Read Well Podcast How to Read (Like a Philosopher) | EP 15
The art of reading must be learned and then practiced on a daily basis. Socrates the philosopher had a complicated relationship with the written word. He neither fully dismissed its value nor embraced it. Instead, he was worried that writing things down (and reading them) would weaken your memory.
In Plato’s “Phaedrus”, he describes the conversation between Socrates and Phaedrus. It’s a fascinating read because Socrates uses an ancient Egyptian myth to point out that we will use writing, not as a tool for learning, but a tool for forgetting.
Why remember if you can write something down, right?
The most relevant passage from that dialogue is:
"For this invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom, for they will read many things without instruction and will therefore seem to know many things, when they are for the most part ignorant and hard to get along with, since they are not wise, but only appear wise."
It underscores the idea that reading in itself isn’t enough. You need to internalize, reflect on, and truly understand the content for it to be of genuine value.
That’s why, in this week’s podcast episode, we’re talking about how to read like a philosopher. How does one approach the reading experience so that it’s not superficial?
IMPORTANT SHOW NOTES:
As mentioned in the video, I want to give a huge shout-out to a YouTube channel that has inspired me to start this very podcast.
Check out his channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@_jared
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