Read philosophy with judgment

Stoic Thinking · Intermediate

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Applying an idea's own scrutiny to itself is what it asked for.

Micro-habits to get started

Small actions of a few minutes to start this habit:

Read the passage, not the quote

When you find a line you like, look up the full context before adopting it.

Decontextualized aphorisms are what produce distorted versions.
10 min
Look for the uncomfortable part

In each text, find what does NOT fit what you already think, and sit with it a while.

What gets popularized is the comfortable part; the interesting bit is usually the other one.
10 min
Ask where it fails

Before adopting an idea, write one serious objection to it.

If you can't find any, you probably haven't fully understood it.
5 min