May Self-Study Challenge Update: A Thinking Class

 

 May Self-Study Challenge Update: A Thinking Class

I’m currently studying Death by Shelly Kagan (Yale OpenCourseWare), and I just wrapped up Lecture 16. So far, the course has been eye-opening, frustrating, fascinating, and more than anything, challenging. This isn’t your average class. It forces you to think in ways that aren’t always intuitive, especially when it comes to following philosophical logic. To be honest, I don't fully understand philosophical logic so that is something I want to work on and improve.

What makes a claim “correct”? How do we challenge our beliefs without losing what we value? Kagan invites us to question ideas we often take for granted, and while it doesn’t mean abandoning our personal or spiritual views, it does require that we build a logical framework around our thinking. I now understand why so many students call this a “thinking class.” I also like that he uses different scenarios to challenge claims and places us through thought experiments, once again emphasizing the idea of a "thinking class."

My Study Process: Phase One and What’s Next

Right now, I’m in Phase One of my study plan:
🎧 Listening to each lecture without distractions and letting the ideas sit with me. It’s passive in some ways, but I’m realizing that I should probably start journaling how I feel after each lecture even if it’s just a paragraph. Philosophical learning isn’t just about comprehension it’s about how the content challenges you.

Coming up is Phase Two, where I plan to:
📝 Start writing out lecture notes
📖 Revisit key concepts using the book I bought that expands on the course (Death by Shelly Kagan)

This structure helps me avoid burnout while also making room for deeper understanding.

Why Reflection Matters

It’s easy to consume content without letting it change you. Reflection creates a pause—it allows you to wrestle with confusion, sit with discomfort, and begin forming your own perspective. In a course like this, where ideas are big and often uncomfortable, reflection becomes a tool for clarity and growth.

Progress Recap

As part of my May self-study challenge, I set out to finish this course. I’ve fallen behind five times, but I’ve always caught up within a day or two. That’s been a win for me—not in perfection, but in consistency and showing up even when I slip.

Final Thoughts

Philosophy is hard. It stretches your brain in weird ways and leaves you with more questions than answers. But I think that’s the point. Whether or not I agree with everything Kagan says, I can feel myself developing a more disciplined, curious way of thinking—and that’s worth the effort.

If you’re doing a self-study challenge or have taken this class, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What helps you stay motivated when the material gets tough? Are you also navigating the tension between personal beliefs and academic reasoning?

Thanks for following along. Here's to deep thinking, staying flexible, and making meaningful progress—one lecture at a time. 🧠📚