Chapter 15 Chapter 13 How to Read Practical Books

In any field of art or practice, it is disappointing that some rules are too general.The more general the fewer rules, this is a benefit.And the more general the rules, the easier it is to understand—the rules are easier to learn and use.But, to be honest, when you are in a complex actual situation and want to invoke some rules, you will also find that the more general rules are farther away from the topic. The rules of analytical reading, which we talked about earlier, generally apply to expository works—that is, any book that conveys knowledge.But you can't read any book in just the usual way.You may read this book or that, or any kind of book on a particular subject, be it history, mathematics, political treatises or scientific studies, or philosophical and theological theories, so in applying the following rules you must Be flexible and be able to adjust at any time.Fortunately, when you start to apply these rules, you will slowly get a feel for how these rules work on different readings.

It should be especially reminded that the fifteen reading rules explained at the end of Chapter Eleven do not apply to reading novels or poetry collections.The outline structure of a work of fiction is quite different from that of an expository work.Novels, plays, and poems do not develop according to consensus, theme, and discourse.In other words, there is no logic to the basic content of these works, and a different premise is needed to comment on them.However, you would be wrong to think that there are no rules for reading imaginative writing.In fact, another set of rules for reading that kind of work will be discussed in the next chapter.On the one hand those rules are very valid in themselves, and on the other hand, if you can examine the differences between these rules and the rules for reading expository works, it can also help you to understand the rules of reading expository works a little more.

You don't have to worry about learning another set of fifteen or more rules for reading fiction and poetry.You can easily see the correlation between these two rules.It also includes the fact that we have repeatedly emphasized that you must be able to ask questions when reading, especially the four most special questions, no matter what kind of book you are reading.These four questions are relevant to any book, fiction or nonfiction, poetry, history, science or philosophy.We have seen how the rules of reading expository work are coherent and developed out of these four questions.Similarly, the rules for reading imaginative works also come from these four questions, but the subject matter of these two types of works is different, which will cause some differences in the rules.

Therefore, in this article, we will talk more about these issues than the rules of reading.We will occasionally mention a new rule and readjust an old rule.Most of the time, though, since we're talking about ways of reading different books, we'll emphasize basically the different questions to ask, and the different answers you'll get. In the section on expository works, we talked about basically distinguishing between practical and theoretical works—the former is concerned with questions of action, while the latter is concerned only with knowledge to be transmitted.We have also said that theoretical works can be further divided into history, science (and mathematics), and philosophy.Practical works have no boundaries, so we will further analyze the characteristics of such books and provide some suggested guidelines and methods for reading.

※ Two practical books One thing to keep in mind about practical books: no practical book solves the practical problems with which the book is concerned.A theoretical work that addresses the questions it raises.But practical problems can only be solved by action.When your actual problem is how to make money for a living, a book that teaches you how to make friends or influence people may advise you about many things, but it won't solve the problem for you.There are no shortcuts to this problem other than earning a living by yourself. Take this book as an example.This is a practical book, and if you're interested in the practical (or maybe just theoretical) aspects of this book, then you want to solve the problem of learning to read.But unless you really learn, you can't think that those problems are solved, gone away.This book cannot solve those problems for you, it can only help you.You have to go through the active reading process yourself, not just with this book but with many other books.That's why the old saying goes: only action can solve problems.Actions can only happen in this world, not in books.

Every action takes place under special circumstances, in a different time, place, and particular environment.You can't act on a normal reaction.The special judgment to act immediately is even more special.This can be put into words, yet hardly ever seen.You'll be hard-pressed to find such an explanation in a book because the author of a practical book cannot experience for himself the actions the reader must take in a particular situation.He may try to help, but he cannot offer practical advice on the spot.Only another person in exactly the same situation can help. However, practical books can more or less provide general rules that can be applied to specific situations of the same type.Anyone who wants to use such a book must apply the rules to a particular situation, and therefore must exercise special judgment.In other words, readers must be able to add a little of their own ideas before they can be applied to actual situations.He needs to be able to understand the actual situation better, have more judgment, and know how to apply the rules to such a situation.

Any book that contains rules—principles, maxims, or any kind of general guidance—you have to assume is a practical book.But a practical book contains more than rules.It may illustrate the principles underlying the rules, making them easy to understand.For example, in this book on special topics related to reading, we continue to explain briefly the principles of grammar, rhetoric and logic to explain the rules of reading.The principles underlying the rules are usually scientific, in other words, theoretical knowledge.The combination of rules and principles is the theory of things.Therefore, we talk about the theory of bridge building, and also talk about the theory of playing bridge.We mean that theoretical principles lead to good rules of conduct.

Practical books can thus be divided into two types.One of them, like this book, or a cookbook, or a driving guide, basically states the rules.No matter what issues are discussed in it, they are here to explain the rules.There are very few great works in this category.Another type of practical book is mainly to explain the principles of forming rules.Many great economic, political, and moral tomes fall into this category. This distinction is not absolute.In one book, principles and rules can be found at the same time.The emphasis is on which one of them is particularly emphasized.It is not difficult to distinguish the two types.No matter the field, a book on rules is instantly recognizable as practical.A book on practical principles may at first glance appear to be a theoretical book.To a certain extent, it is true.It is about theory in a particular situation.Regardless, you can tell it's a practical book.The nature of the problems it deals with will be revealed.Such books are always about how, in the realm of human behavior, one can do better or worse.

When reading a rule-based book, the themes to look for are, of course, those rules.These rules are usually stated in imperative sentences rather than declarative sentences.That is an order.For example, say: "A timely injection is better than nine later." Such a rule can also be changed into a narrative statement: "If you make up a stitch in time, you will save nine stitches that will be added later." Two sentences They are all reminding the value of buying time. The imperative statement is stronger, but it is not necessarily easier to remember. Whether it's a statement or an imperative, you always recognize a rule because it's suggesting that something is worth doing and that it will pay off.Thus, the imperative reading rule that asks you to agree with the author can also be changed into a suggested statement: "Successful reading involves reaching agreement between the reader and the author." The word "success" says it all , meaning that this kind of reading is worth doing.

The discussion of this kind of practical book is to show you that the rules they say are all feasible.The author may use principles to illustrate the credibility of these rules, or tell you some examples to prove that these rules are feasible.Looking at both arguments, the appeal to principles is usually less persuasive, but it has an advantage.The rationale for the rules is more clearly explained by appeals to principles than by examples. In another kind of practical book, it is mainly about the rationale behind the rules.Of course, the gist and discussion in it look exactly like a purely theoretical book.The gist of it is stating the state of something, and the discourse is emphasizing that it is so.

But reading such a book is very different from reading a purely theoretical book.Because the problems to be solved are, after all, practical problems—problems of action, questions of what states of human beings can do better or worse—the intelligent reader will always be able to read a book like "Practical Principles." Read between the lines.He may see rules that, though not stated, can be derived from principles.He also goes a step further and finds out how these rules should actually be applied. A practical book is not read practically unless it is read in this way.Failure to get a practical book to be read practically is failed reading.You don't really know the book, and it's certainly impossible to review it properly.If there are intelligible rules to be found in the principles, the meaning of the practical principles can also be found in the rules or suggested actions guided by the principles. These are the highest principles you need to know in any kind of practical book, or in doing some kind of criticism.In a purely theoretical book, the opinions, for or against, relate to the truths stated in the book.But actual truth is not the same as theoretical truth.There are two situations in which the rules of conduct can be regarded as truth: one is that they are really effective; the other is that doing so can lead you to the correct result and meet your expectations. Assuming that the author thinks you should be looking for the correct result, which you do not agree with, then even if his advice sounds complete, you may not agree with him because of that goal.You will judge whether his books are practical or not.If you don't agree that careful, clear-headed reading is worthwhile, then this book will be of little use to you, even if its rules do work. Notice the meaning of this passage.In judging a theoretical book, the reader must observe the agreement or discrepancy between himself and the author's principles and assumptions.In judging a useful book, it's all about results and goals.If you don't share Marx's enthusiasm for economic values, his economic dogmas and reforms may seem a little bogus or irrelevant to you.For example, you may, like Edmund Burke, believe that maintaining the status quo is the best strategy, and when all is considered, you believe that there are more important things than changing capital inequality.Your judgment is primarily in agreement with the outcome, not the method.Even if the method is very real and useful, if it achieves an end we don't care about or expect, we will not be in the least bit interested. ※ The role of persuasion The above brief discussion can give you some clues.When you are reading any kind of practical book, be sure to ask yourself two main questions.First: What is the author's purpose?Second: What method does he propose to use to achieve this?Both of these questions are more difficult to answer in a principle-based book than in a rules-based book.Neither purpose nor method may be obvious in these books.But if you want to know and review useful books, you must answer these two questions. I would also like to remind you that the problem of writing practical works that we discussed earlier.Every practical book is mingled with eloquence or propaganda.We haven't read a book on political philosophy - no matter how theoretical, no matter how "esoteric" principles it talks about - that tries to convince readers of the truth about "the best form of government".In the same way, books of moral theory attempt to convince readers of the principles of the "good life" and at the same time suggest ways to get there.We've also been trying to convince you to read a book in a certain way in order to achieve the kind of understanding you might want to pursue. You can see why the author of a practical book is more or less an orator or a propagandist.Because your final judgment on his works comes from whether you accept his conclusions.with his proposed method.It all depends on whether the author can lead you to his conclusion.To do so, the methods he discusses must engage your mind.He may have to provoke your emotional response and influence your will. There is nothing wrong with it, and there is no malice in it.Such is the nature of practical books that one must be persuaded to adopt certain thoughts and actions.In addition to rational thinking and action, emotion is also an important factor.No one can take actual comment or action seriously without being moved.The world might be a better place if it were available, but it must be a different world.The author of a practical book is not successful unless he recognizes this.If a reader does not recognize this, it is like buying a bunch of goods without knowing what they are buying. If you don't want to be confused by the propaganda, you have to understand what the propaganda is about.Hidden eloquence, imperceptible, is the most cunning.It goes straight to your heart, not your head, like it scares you out of your head from behind.This kind of propaganda is like you swallowed a medicine, but you don't know it at all.The influence of publicity is mysterious, and afterwards you don't know why you feel and think the way you do. If a person really understands a practical book, he knows what the basic consensus, purpose, and exposition of the book are, and he can perceive the author's eloquence.He will perceive that a certain passage is an "emotional word".He knows he is being persuaded, and he has a way of dealing with the point of those appeals.He's resistant to pitches, but not 100 percent needed.Being resistant to sales pitches is good, and will help you avoid rushing and ill-considered purchases.But a reader who does not accept the appeal of all content need not read a practical book. There is another important point.Because of the nature of practical matters, and because all practical works are mixed with eloquence, the "character" of the author is more important in practical than theoretical books.You don't need to know who the author is to read a book on mathematics.His theories are either good or bad, and it has nothing to do with his personality.But in order to understand and judge a moral treatise, a political treatise, or an economic treatise, you need to know a little about the author's personality, life, and background.For example, before reading Aristotle's "Politics", it is very necessary to know that the social background of Greece is slavery.Similarly, before reading "The Prince", one must know Machiavelli's political situation in Italy at that time and his relationship with the Medici family.Therefore, when reading Hobbes's "Leviathan", it is necessary to understand that he lived in the period of the Civil War in England. The society was full of violence and chaos, and the whole era was immersed in a sad and morbid state. ※ After agreeing to the practical book We're sure you've seen that the four questions you ask when you're reading a book change a bit when you're reading a practical book.Let's illustrate these changes. The first question: what is this book about?Not much has changed.Because a practical book is expository, it is still necessary to answer this question and make an outline of the book. However, while trying to figure out what an author's problem is is a must with any book (rule four covers this), it is especially crucial when reading practical books.As we said, you must understand what the author's purpose is.In other words, you must know what problem he wants to solve.You have to know what he wants to do—because, in the practical book, knowing what he wants to do is tantamount to knowing what he wants you to do.This is of course very important. The second question didn't change much either.In order to be able to answer questions about the meaning or content of the book, you still need to be able to find the author's consensus, themes, and arguments.However, although this is the last reading work in the second stage (rule eight), it is even more important now.You remember that rule eight asks you to say which problems the author has solved and which problems he has not solved.This rule changes when reading practical books.You discover and understand the author's suggested means of accomplishing his goal.In other words, if Rule Four of reading a practical book reads: "Find out what the author wants you to do," Rule Eight should read: "Know why he wants you to do it." The third question: is the content true?Much more has changed than the first two.In a theoretical work, the answer to this question comes when you compare the author's description and explanation of things with your own knowledge.If what this book describes roughly resembles your own personal experience, you must admit that it is true, or at least partially true.Practical books, although they will be compared with the real ones, but the most important thing is whether you can accept the author's purpose—his ultimate goal, plus the method he suggests to achieve the goal—it depends on what you think you are pursuing. Depends on what, and what is the best way to pursue it. The fourth question: what does this book have to do with me?It can be said that everything has changed.If, after reading a theoretical book, your views on that subject have changed somewhat, your views on things in general will have adjusted somewhat. (If you don't feel the need to adjust, you probably didn't learn anything from that book.) But such adjustments aren't earth-shattering, and after all, they don't necessarily require action on your part. Endorsing a practical book that does require action on your part.If you are convinced by the author that the conclusions he proposes are valuable, and even further believe that his method can really achieve the goal, it will be difficult to refuse the author's request to you.You will act the way the author wants you to act. Of course, we know that doesn't have to happen.But what we want you to understand is what it means if you don't.That means that although the reader apparently agreed with the author's conclusion and accepted the method he proposed, he did not actually agree or accept it.If he really agrees and accepts it all, there's no reason why he shouldn't act. Let's illustrate with an example.If you finish Part II of this book, you (1) agree that analytical reading is worth doing. (2) Accept these reading rules as the basic elements to achieve the goal, and you will start to read according to what we are talking about now.If you don't, it's probably not because you're lazy or tired, but because you don't really agree with (1) or (2). There is one notable exception to this discourse.For example, you read an article about how to make chocolate mousse.You love chocolate mousse and agree that this author is right.You've also embraced the author's suggested method of getting there—his recipes.But you are a male reader who never goes into the kitchen or makes mousse.In such a case, does our point of view fail? Not quite.This just shows what we should mention, the importance of distinguishing various types of practical books.Some authors present conclusions that are general or general—applicable to all human beings—other authors draw conclusions applicable to only a few.If the conclusions are general—like this book, which is about enabling all to read better, not just a few—then what we're talking about applies to every reader.If the conclusions are filtered and apply only to a certain class of people, then it is up to the reader to decide whether he belongs to that class or not.If he belongs to that class, the content is suitable for his application, and he is more or less obliged to act on the author's advice.If he does not belong to this class, he may not have such obligations. We say "there may be no such obligation" because it is probable that the reader has simply been fooled by himself, or misunderstood his own motives, into thinking that he does not belong to the class implicated in that conclusion.In the case of the chocolate mousse, his inaction may indicate that while the mousse is delicious, someone else—perhaps his wife—should make it for him.In many cases, we admit that the conclusion is desirable and the method is feasible, but we are too lazy to do it.Let others do it, we will say, this is an confession. Of course, this problem is not mainly about reading, but about psychology.Psychological problems can affect our reading of practical works, so we discuss them here.