Read SEP and short works or essays by the philosophers you come across and have an interest in. When reading SEP, keep in mind that it is the mainstream academic evaluation of the topic from various angles, and that the influence of the ideas that it covers to some degree or another tracks class and prestige within the greater hierarchies of higher education and the societies that use higher education to reproduce current social conditions.
Although learning about arguments and critical analysis is very important, a lot of engaging with the large body of philosophy that exists is real labor. It takes time and energy, time and energy that a lot of working class people do not have to put into something that doesn't immediately improve material life. This time and labor includes critiquing what has already been argued ad nauseam, and it also includes the labor of others in your community willing to engage with your interpretation of these ideas and situations. There isn't really a shortcut, but if it's something that you believe to be important, like I do, there's enough information to get started without much of a push from the people around you. If anything, you will probably encounter a lot of resistance, even from "educated" people who disregard the value of asking and examining questions that might not have an answer.
Beware of treating anyone's words like gospel. Nothing will close you off from intellectual progress like dogma and disregard for the possibility of being wrong sometimes.
You might have an easier time with the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
https://iep.utm.edu/
SEP is written at a very high level - and while that's great if you have a background in or previous knowledge of concepts, IEP can be easier to grasp for those at the undergrad level or who are just starting their philosophical education.
Read SEP and short works or essays by the philosophers you come across and have an interest in. When reading SEP, keep in mind that it is the mainstream academic evaluation of the topic from various angles, and that the influence of the ideas that it covers to some degree or another tracks class and prestige within the greater hierarchies of higher education and the societies that use higher education to reproduce current social conditions.
Although learning about arguments and critical analysis is very important, a lot of engaging with the large body of philosophy that exists is real labor. It takes time and energy, time and energy that a lot of working class people do not have to put into something that doesn't immediately improve material life. This time and labor includes critiquing what has already been argued ad nauseam, and it also includes the labor of others in your community willing to engage with your interpretation of these ideas and situations. There isn't really a shortcut, but if it's something that you believe to be important, like I do, there's enough information to get started without much of a push from the people around you. If anything, you will probably encounter a lot of resistance, even from "educated" people who disregard the value of asking and examining questions that might not have an answer.
Beware of treating anyone's words like gospel. Nothing will close you off from intellectual progress like dogma and disregard for the possibility of being wrong sometimes.
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You might have an easier time with the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
https://iep.utm.edu/
SEP is written at a very high level - and while that's great if you have a background in or previous knowledge of concepts, IEP can be easier to grasp for those at the undergrad level or who are just starting their philosophical education.
I once took a few hours to read their article on Lacan. I also took extensive notes. It helped me a great deal.