What is the better method for self-studying/reading philosophy: to read introductory books and commentaries/summaries of philosopher’s writings (Metaphysics, Summa Theologia, Summa Contra Gentiles, Plato’s Dialogues, etc.) OR to read the original writings first, then look at the commentaries?
You are coming to it as a Catholic.
Begin by knowing your own faith - know the CCC.
Become a student of the Catholic philosopher - I took the Summa and read through it multiple times as Thomas’ student, looking for everything he said in my own life and being.
I also then began reading the referenced texts of Aristotle, who is a much easier read than Thomas, but together I began to be at home in the precision of the terminology, etc.
Aristotle is an easy read because the writings are, as I understand it, his student’s transcriptions of what he said to them in class as he talked with them every day.
Multiple times through Aquinas helped greatly, because each question presumes a knowledge of the rest of the Summa. You then see each question in its place in the whole, and see your own references to other parts of the Summa that fill meaning to every word of the question now being read.
In other words, you become Thomas, today, and “become a philosopher” rather than just knowing about philosophy or knowing who taught what ideas.
In reading summaries and histories of philosophies or philosophers, you do not invest your life in it.
As a Catholic, I suggest to give yourself, your life, to Thomas for a couple years; know him and know yourself as he knows you, and know all things in his knowing of all things.
If you are unable to acquire the books, here is a website I use that is easy to navigate an article at a time:
ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/summa.i.html
