Scott argues for the value of studying historical philosophy by 'reading it backwards' to unlearn assumptions and broaden perspective, even when past ideas seem obviously wrong.
Longer summary
This post explores the value of studying historical philosophy, even when it seems outdated or wrong. Scott initially criticizes philosophy courses for teaching ideas that are obviously incorrect. However, he then proposes a new approach: reading philosophy backwards. This means starting with modern ideas and using historical texts to understand how controversial these ideas once were. The post argues that this method helps unlearn assumptions, broaden perspective, and prepare for future philosophical developments. Scott uses examples like Sartre, Hobbes, and Aristotle to illustrate how this approach can reveal the non-obviousness of current beliefs and expand our ability to consider radically different ideas.
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