Why Read?!

I remember sitting in my Culture and Gender class for weeks together barely understanding what was happening.The classes were being conducted by CSCS(Center for the study of Culture and Society) Bangalore.But eventually a time came when I started understanding things- I even upgraded my course to BA Honors in English studies. I later attended other courses like Psychology after Foucault and What makes us think (Consciousness).It was only last year that I turned in an absolutely wonderful piece of critical essay and it was only then that my confidence grew. Since then, I've been in love with theory! Yes, you heard it right. I know, everyone complains-"But I don't get it! It's so annoying!" My answer is-"Precisely! We should engage in reading critical theory and philosophy because it makes us think and our strength, our basis for claims over a higher order species is precisely because of our ability to reason. So why back off from theory?" Think of it as a little game- a piece of writing is asking you to eat it whole (you can spew it later too!) and is questioning your ability to think! You want to accept defeat so soon?

For beginners(most people who extensively read theory have a system of their own), I have here a four step approach to any written text.

• If you don't understand, read the sentence a few more times. Reading aloud and being patient helps.If you still don't get the meaning, read the entire paragraph. If you are still unhappy, read the entire text even if it makes no sense. Comeback and read again.
• Make notes- no not elaborate ones. Use bullet points and don't exceed 4-5 words per point.You can use this as a ready reckoner too. This will make sure that by the end of an essay or chapter, you are still aware of the writer's chain of thought.
• Plain reading is no good. Give examples, think of scenarios where you could put to use these ideas you just read about. Try to understand what you think of the text. Do you agree with the writer or you feel that it is old fashioned or do you think you could use some and lose some from what you have learnt? Add this to your notes.
• THIS IS THE STRICTEST RULE OF THEM ALL: DO NOT-EVER, EVER-USE SUMMARIES OF THE TEXT. Read the original text, form your own opinion. Later, for extra help, you could use summaries or notes.

The biggest benefit of reading critical texts is the way it gives you newer perspective on things- things that are important.It is also important to understand at the outset that philosophy and critical texts are not less important that today's news, world affairs, technology, daily chores or work.It is not utopian,romantic, impractical. That is an opinion which has been handed down to us.For e.g., questions of free will is as important as a nuclear deal. Infact, you can analyze that nuclear deal through the question of free will (ha ha).

I started reading theory and philosophy three years ago. Yes, I remember. Don't we all, if something significant happens? I do hope, this reading journey is something you will come to treasure... And welcome to the blog!
Happy reading!

Love,
Ash