I want to become a philosopher!

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Mark_Lee
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Joined: November 8th, 2017, 9:42 pm

I want to become a philosopher!

Post by Mark_Lee »

I want to become a philosopher!



Bold statement. I know. That's just how I am. But on a serious note...

How does one become a philosopher? What books should I read and how should I conduct my life? I know that to some of you I'm being silly. But believe me when I say that I'm very serious with this whole thing. How can I become a renowned philosopher who gets recognized worldwide the same way people like Nietzsche and Socrates are recognized?

Is formal education necessary? Or can I get by, by reading books?

Thanks.

P. S. = Ignore my avatar. It's a trollface, I know. But I'm not a troll. I'm serious when I say that I want to become a philosopher. It's how I want to be remembered when I die.
Maxcady10001
Posts: 460
Joined: September 12th, 2017, 6:03 pm

Re: I want to become a philosopher!

Post by Maxcady10001 »

I don't think Nietzsche was popular until after he became mad, and died. And I believe Socrates was executed. Not how I would want to die, but I don't think you need a formal education, if you just want to become an author of philosophy books and maybe a public figure in philosophy. Anyone can get published nowadays.
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Burning ghost
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Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: I want to become a philosopher!

Post by Burning ghost »

Haha! Max you beat me to it!

Usually philosophers that matter are recognized after they've died. If you want fame go into showbiz!

If you haven't already figured that out then you've got a very steep slope to climb.
AKA badgerjelly
Maxcady10001
Posts: 460
Joined: September 12th, 2017, 6:03 pm

Re: I want to become a philosopher!

Post by Maxcady10001 »

I think Goethe is the only philosopher to have lived a "happy" life.
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Burning ghost
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Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: I want to become a philosopher!

Post by Burning ghost »

Maxcady10001 wrote:I think Goethe is the only philosopher to have lived a "happy" life.
So what?

-- Updated November 9th, 2017, 2:16 am to add the following --

I am not trying to annoy btw, just trying to get you to express why you feel philosophy is the right choice for you and what it is you expect to gain from studying philosophy.

To be brutally honest it looks like you're expectations may not be met wholly by a philosophical pursuit.
AKA badgerjelly
Steve3007
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Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm

Re: I want to become a philosopher!

Post by Steve3007 »

Mark_Lee:
How can I become a renowned philosopher who gets recognized worldwide the same way people like Nietzsche and Socrates are recognized?
Solve all the outstanding problems of philosophy and publish a YouTube video to present your answers. Also, now that Twitter has doubled the number of characters in a tweet, you might consider that as a medium.
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Burning ghost
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Re: I want to become a philosopher!

Post by Burning ghost »

On a more practical side of things I would say to anyone who cares about analysis, argumentation, how to present an argument, concentration, and disciplining the mind, to read Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, and when I say "read" I mean go through the work page by page, over and over, to the point of near insanity with stubborn resolve. You should then find yourself referring back to it over the course of your career to see what else you can get from it.

I am a "jump in the deep end" kinda person when I've really set my mind to something.

Why I suggest Kant is because you will learn, by example, a very particular style of philosophical writing. It is by no means the only style of philosophy, but it is one which I strongly feel anyone who cares to take up philosophical studies should come, grudgingly or not, to appreciate.

If Nietzsche appeals to you I would not recommend tackling Thus Spake first. It is a very obtuse piece of writing and unless you're already familiar with esoteric texts or religious fables, I would look toward his other works for guidance before tackling such a dense piece of writing.

Many people recommend the ancient Greeks, but I really never found a great need ... just depends on your own position and what you hope/wish to achieve. The Greeks should be taken on at some point, but as a starting position I don't see it as a rule of thumb like many other do.

And just for perspective, I am not academically schooled regarding philosophy. My interest is a personal one and one which general holds the position of utter ridicule toward anything "philosophical". My rule of thumb is "study what you think is stupid/nonsense as much as that which you value as important/significant."
AKA badgerjelly
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Gulnara
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Joined: October 20th, 2011, 7:02 am

Re: I want to become a philosopher!

Post by Gulnara »

You can be philosopher and many other things at once. Read book "Know it All" by A.J Jackobs. Be a Rennaissanse person.
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