Having a difficult time understanding philosophy

[Mr.lucifer]

I have tried multiple classic philosophers s but I cannot remember what I read or understand the text. So I tried reading Plato's republic, but I'm having the same problems. Could someone give me advice on understanding philosophy easier?

[YesNo]

If I'm not interested in the topic, philosophy makes no sense to me either. Pick a topic you are interested in and see what philosophers have to say about it.

For example, do you have any sort of free will? Can you make even a minimal choice? I think you can and I think it is obvious, but then there are philosophers who think otherwise.

Another example: how does the mind and body fit together? Are we Universal Turning Machines or is the causal closure of physics one more modern myth? And what about out of body experiences? If philosophers ignore such evidence aren't they just building a fantasy land when they philosophize? I'm reading John Searle's "Mind" at the moment. Searle tries to answer some of the questions, but I think he is far too deep in fantasy land to even know it.

Another example: why is quantum physics such a problem? You don't have to be a physicist, or know much about physics, to appreciate the philosophical implications. See Rosenblum and Kuttner's "Quantum Enigma" for a survey of the issues. Personally, I think Berkeley and Hegel may have some of the answers here. An answer to this resolves both the mind-body problem and the issue of free will.

[MANICHAEAN]

Might I recommend that you invest first in the historical perspective of the particular philosopher that you are reading, especially in the case of Plato's Republic.