One thing that I find a bit shocking about the linked article as well as this thread is the complete abscence of discussion from the recommendations on how to l

One thing that I find a bit shocking about the linked article as well as this thread is the complete abscence of discussion from the recommendations on how to learn philosophy. Yes, reading philosophy is an essential prerequisite, and the truly novel stuff is often done in silent reflection, but discussion is hugely helpful in both understand and expanding philosophical discourse. Take almost any book on the list of the OP, read it with a friend, and you will probably disagree completely on at least a couple of the points made, or how they should be interpreted.