Philosophy is often called the "Great Conversation" because, as you say, a lot of it is just people "saying things". Some of these things are incredibly insight

Philosophy is often called the "Great Conversation" because, as you say, a lot of it is just people "saying things". Some of these things are incredibly insightful others are just babbling, the ones that make it into books generally have a higher ratio of insight to babble. You need to read philosophy, especially continental philosophy, with a critical eye. If you aren't chewing on and contemplating (and calling "bullshit") on philosophy as you read it, you aren't getting out of it what you should.