RESUMO DE "COMO LER LIVROS" - MORTIMER ADLER | Insight BP

Summary

This video dives into the classic guide 'How to Read Books' by Mortimer Adler and Charles van Doren, a timeless manual for enhancing reading skills. It explores four levels of reading—elementary, inspectional, analytical, and syntopical—each with specific techniques to improve understanding and retention. From pre-reading and speed reading to in-depth analysis and cross-referencing with other works, the video offers practical advice for becoming a more intelligent and engaged reader. The guide not only aids in reading comprehension but also highlights the value of literature in connecting with the minds of great thinkers.

Takeaways

• 😀 The book 'How to Read Books' is considered a classic and a guide to intelligent reading, helping readers understand different reading techniques.
• 📚 The book provides four types of elementary reading: inspectional, analytical, and topical, which help readers engage with different kinds of texts.
• 🔍 Inspectional reading consists of two phases: pre-reading (or systematic probing) and superficial reading, where the aim is to understand the main idea quickly and without diving into every detail.
• 📖 Analytical reading is a demanding process that requires readers to ask four key questions: what is the book about, what is being said, how is it argued, and how does it relate to life?
• 📝 Functional illiteracy is when a person can read but doesn't fully comprehend what they have read, which highlights the importance of understanding content after reading.
• 💡 Extrinsic readings, such as consulting other works, can help in understanding a main work, especially for theoretical books.
• 🎭 For novels or artistic works, the goal is to engage deeply with the characters and story, experiencing beauty and emotion, rather than seeking intellectual growth.
• 📚 Topical reading is the most advanced form of reading, where readers engage with multiple works, connect ideas, and explore how different authors relate to a universal theme.
• 🔄 In topical reading, the reader must understand and compare different works on similar subjects, such as comparing Aristotle and Saint Augustine on happiness.
• 📘 The book also offers a list of recommended classics for readers to explore, encouraging them to engage with literature across different eras and genres to expand their knowledge.
• 📚 Adler emphasizes that reading is a conversation with the author, allowing readers to experience the thoughts, ideas, and problems that have shaped literary works.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of *How to Read Books* by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles van Doren?

The primary focus of *How to Read Books* is to guide readers on how to read intelligently and effectively, providing techniques for understanding and analyzing books deeply. It emphasizes the importance of reading with purpose and engaging with the material at different levels.

Why does the title *How to Read Books* seem strange to some people?

The title seems strange because it implies that people already know how to read. However, the book is not just about basic reading skills but also about the deeper understanding and analysis of texts, which may seem unexpected for a book with such a straightforward title.

What are the four types of reading mentioned in the book?

The four types of reading discussed in the book are elementary reading, inspectional reading, analytical reading, and topical reading.

What is the main goal of elementary reading?

The goal of elementary reading is to read and understand basic sentences, focusing on literacy skills such as vocabulary comprehension and sentence structure, which form the foundation for more advanced reading.

How does inspectional reading differ from analytical reading?

Inspectional reading involves quickly skimming through a book to get a general idea of its content and structure without delving deeply into the details. Analytical reading, on the other hand, requires a careful, in-depth approach to understand the book's arguments, structure, and ideas fully.

What is the purpose of pre-reading in inspectional reading?

Pre-reading aims to quickly determine the content and type of a book by examining the title, preface, index, and chapters. This step helps readers decide whether the book is worth a deeper, more thorough reading.

What is the concept of 'civilizational conversation' in topical reading?

The concept of 'civilizational conversation' refers to the practice of connecting ideas from multiple works and authors, understanding how different thinkers engage with the same themes across time and cultures, and contributing to an ongoing dialogue of human thought.

Why is analytical reading considered demanding?

Analytical reading is demanding because it requires readers to engage critically with the text, asking detailed questions about what the book says, how it argues its points, and whether the ideas are coherent. It involves deeper reflection and often requires multiple readings of the same material.

What types of notes does the book recommend for improving reading comprehension?

The book recommends three types of notes: structural notes (summarizing the book’s structure and arguments), conceptual notes (recording key ideas and concepts), and debate notes (notes on how to discuss and argue the book’s ideas).

How does the book suggest reading theoretical books differently from fiction or poetry?

For theoretical books, the book suggests reading with the goal of understanding concepts and ideas more deeply, often taking notes and reflecting on the material. In contrast, when reading fiction or poetry, the aim is to immerse oneself in the story and the characters' experiences, focusing more on the emotional and aesthetic aspects rather than conceptual understanding.