I never could read Foucault. I find philosophy tedious…
““I never could read Foucault. I find philosophy tedious. All of my knowledge comes from reading novels and some history. I read Being and Nothingness and realized that I remembered absolutely nothing when I finished it. I used to go to the library every day and read every day for eight hours. I’d dropped out of high school and had to teach myself. I read Sartre without any background. I just forced myself and I learned nothing.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker expresses frustration with academic philosophy, preferring narrative and historical reading, and feels self‑directed learning often yields little retention.
In simple terms: Philosophy felt tedious; novels helped more.
Key Takeaway
Seek learning methods that truly engage you.
Themes
self‑education
philosophy
literature
learning styles
Mood
frustrated
reflective
Type
personal narrative
critical
When to use this quote
- college courses
- self‑study
- reading philosophy
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existentialism
autodidacticism
cognitive retention
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you make dense philosophical texts more accessible?
- What alternative methods help you retain complex ideas?
A Different Perspective
Self‑directed study can lack structure and feedback.