Cómo estudiar Filosofía

Summary

This video script offers practical advice for studying philosophy and analyzing philosophical texts. It emphasizes the importance of not procrastinating, breaking down the syllabus, comprehensive understanding over memorization, taking breaks, and enjoying the learning process. It also suggests preparing historical and ideological contexts for philosophers and identifying key concepts. The script provides a structured approach to text analysis, including summarizing, understanding the text's terminology, identifying central and secondary ideas, and assessing coherence. Finally, it outlines a method for critical commentary, urging viewers to consider the text's contributions to the history of thought, the validity of its arguments, and its relevance to contemporary issues.

Takeaways

• 📅 Don't leave studying until the last day to ensure proper assimilation of content and significant learning.
• 🗓️ Divide the syllabus according to the time you have available to avoid being overwhelmed by the volume of material.
• 🎓 Study comprehensively, not by memorization. Imagine being a journalist interviewing a philosopher to understand the core ideas of their thought.
• 🚶‍♂️ Take breaks if you feel overwhelmed; a walk or exercise can help make content easier to assimilate afterward.
• 🎮 Find ways to make studying fun and enjoyable. Engage in activities like creating flashcards, making diagrams, or even role-playing as a teacher.
• 📚 Prepare a brief historical and ideological context for each author to understand the social, political, or ideological elements that influenced their philosophy.
• 🔑 Make a list of key concepts for each author to grasp the specific meanings of terms in their philosophy.
• 📝 When answering an exam, start by understanding what the text says without immediately judging its validity or your agreement with it.
• 📑 Identify the structure of the text by distinguishing the central idea from the secondary ones and their relationship.
• ✅ Focus on coherence within the text, ensuring the conclusion follows from the premises and checking for logical errors.
• 📝 For a complete response, start with a brief summary, mention the author's context, provide a critical commentary, and offer a cautious personal evaluation.

Q & A

Why is it not recommended to leave studying for the last minute according to the transcript?

Leaving studying for the last minute may result in an inability to assimilate the content correctly, making the learning process less significant.

What is the advice given for dividing the study material based on available time?

The advice is to divide the topics into smaller sections and study them gradually, rather than being overwhelmed by the amount of material that needs to be studied.

How should one approach the study of philosophy to ensure comprehensive understanding?

One should study comprehensively by imagining being a journalist interviewing a philosopher, asking questions about the author's main ideas, historical context, and the coherence of their arguments.

What should one do if they feel overwhelmed while studying philosophy?

If feeling overwhelmed, one should take a break, go for a walk, or exercise to make it easier to assimilate the content afterward.

What does the transcript suggest as a way to make studying philosophy enjoyable?

The transcript suggests finding ways to study that are entertaining and enjoyable, such as creating flashcards, making diagrams, recording a podcast, or playing role-playing games with friends.

Why is it important to prepare a brief historical and ideological context for each author when studying philosophy?

Preparing a brief context helps to understand the author's philosophy by identifying social, political, or ideological elements that influenced their thinking and the reasons behind their treatment of certain topics.

What is the recommended approach to identifying key concepts from each philosopher before an exam?

It is recommended to ask the professor for a list of the most relevant terms or search for this information in philosophy manuals or online to ensure understanding of the different meanings of similar terms across different philosophers.

What are the steps suggested for reading and understanding a philosophical text before writing about it?

The steps include understanding what the text says without worrying about the validity of its reasons, identifying key terminology, recognizing the text's structure by separating central ideas from secondary ones, and checking the internal coherence of the text.

What is the simple scheme provided for writing a commentary on a philosophical text?

The scheme includes starting with a brief summary of the main idea, mentioning the author's context, providing a critical commentary focusing on the text's contribution to the history of thought and its arguments, and finally, attempting a cautious personal critical evaluation.

What is the common mistake to avoid when asked to provide a critical commentary on a text?

The common mistake to avoid is giving personal opinions or stating whether you liked the text or not. Instead, the focus should be on answering questions about the text's contribution, the validity of its arguments, and its coherence.

What does the transcript suggest about the nature of classic philosophical texts and their relevance to current problems?

The transcript suggests that classic philosophical texts address problems that have concerned humanity for centuries, and it would be unusual to consider oneself prepared to give a definitive response to these problems after a quick read.