Great philosophical books ask profound questions;   the same sort of questions children ask.  A child’s questions have no boundaries. 

•  "Why is the sky blue?” 
•  “Did Adam have a belly button?” 
•  "Why do bees sting?” 

As adults our questions become less creative, dulled by rote learning and a waning natural curiosity.

In How to Read a Book, Adler delineates two categories of questions philosophers ask.  First, they ask theoretical questions:

• “Does everything that exists exist physically, or are some things that exist apart from material embodiment?”
• “Do all things change, or is there anything that is immutable?”
• “Is the realm of possible existence larger than the realm of what actually does exist?”
• “How many different kinds of change are there?”
• “Are there different types of causes responsible for change?”

 All these questions are speculative or theoretical:  easy to state the question, easy to understand the question, but extremely difficult to answer!  These topics fall into the philosophical realm of Metaphysics.

The second category of questions philosophers ask are about “what ought to be.”  These are the practical questions a philosopher may ask:

• “Does the end always justify the means?”
• “Is it possible to order the ‘goods’ and the ‘evils’?”
• “Are there circumstances where the goods conflict, so that one must choose one good at the expense of forgoing another?”
• “Should one’s life purpose or goal be subordinate to society’s greater good?”
• Do all men have an equal right to life, regardless of physical, psychological or social pathology?”

 These practical questions fall into the philosophical realm of Ethics.

A basic understanding of the types of questions philosophers ask helps the reader to comprehend and analyze philosophical books.  When reading this type of book well, the reader should attempt to discover:

1. What questions are being asked by the philosopher?
2. What are the philosopher’s controlling principles or assumptions?
3. Does the author consistently adhere to this controlling principle?
4. Are the answers to the questions supported by clear arguments and analysis?
5. What do I think?  Do my controlling principles allow me to accept or reject the philosopher’s answers?

 This chapter of Adler’s book has helped me appreciate how the study of philosophy fits into well-rounded educations.  As part of my undergraduate requirements, I studied Logic, Metaphysics, Ethics, and Natural Theology (which focused on multiple philosophers throughout history proving the existence of God through Metaphysics).  I studied it only because it was required.  It has taken time, experience, life successes and failures to fully appreciate the wisdom of this Vincentian requirement.

These philosophy studies have enriched my faith life and Christian walk.  Through reading philosophy books (in which the Holy Bible is officially classified), I found my own identity, my own controlling principles.  In addition, I have learned to truly appreciate great works of literature because they are often focused on similar questions about human nature.  Think of your favorite classic work of literature.  Many themes are simply a question of ethics….philosophically speaking! 

Maybe understanding the basics of philosophy and all the interesting topics explored by philosophers will lead you to a new section of the library in the future.  The bottom line in this chapter of Adler’s book….you do not need to be a philosopher to read philosophy.

Chapter #1 – my response notes

Chapter #2 – my response notes 

Chapter #3 & #4 – my response notes

Chapter #5 – my response notes

Chapter #6 & #7 - my response notes

Chapter #8 - my response notes

Chapter #9 - my response notes

Chapter #10 -  my response notes

Chapter #11-13 - my response notes

Chapter #14 - my response

Chapter #16 - my response

How To Read A Book by Mortimer Adler

Related Tags: Great Books, Mortimer Adler, literature, philosophy

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