This is how I described what I've done so far to a friend on Facebook. -MES (Man, Economy, and State) can substitute HA.-
Here's how it works so far. We all got copies of "Human Action (HA), Scholars Edition" and the "Human Action Study Guide" (SG) by Bob Murphy. Some people bought the paper, some went with the free pdf available at the site. I suggest paper. We only do a chapter a week so that if somebodies schedule gets heavy, they don't get behind or give up. My suggested study method kind of starts from the middle, but has proven itself to be very effective so far, 1. Read the chapter in the SG, excluding the actual quiz. 2. Read the chapter in HA. 3. Do the quiz, using HA as the reference instead of using the SG. The SG can make it too easy. Also by using the full text you will get a fuller elucidation of the material that surrounds the question and avoid the pitfalls of "teaching to the test". Bob did a brilliant job, but of course the whole idea of a study guide is truncation. 4. Discuss the answers to the quiz with 1 or more other people who also read the materials and took the quiz. Agree on a "best answer." This need not be one particular readers answer, but a peer reviewed, vetted answer drawing from the thoughts of multiple readers. You will find that almost nobody has a wrong answer, some peoples' answers are simply incomplete. In these conversations, almost everyone will expound on 1 point that someone else didn't pay that much attention to. Everyone is better for it. Note: avoid allowing philosophy to interrupt the study and discussion of specific material. 5. Use one week as review when finishing a "Part". There are 6 "Parts". Go through all the "best answers" and see if any can be made better. Then just sort of openly discuss the Part and see what everyone has to say. Again, ideas will be expounded upon that someone else hadn't given much consideration. 6. At the end, repeat step 5 but as regards the whole book. This can take more than one session. 7. Leave HA in your bathroom. You will find at least one new piece of information a week, and wonder how you missed it. Ha.
I just got the Hardcover of MES. I have a very hard time reading to know. It goes in one ear and out the other. Retaining info when reading or even lecture was/is difficult. Does your method work really well? I want to master MES. :)
Maybe this study can help you Wibee...
http://mises.org/books/messtudy.pdf
My Blog: http://www.anarchico.net/
Production is 'anarchistic' - Ludwig von Mises
I take exceptiont to #7. Human Action should be treated as far more than reading for on the shitter. It deserves a far more reverent treatment than that lol. But I agree, you do learn something every time you pick up that book. I'm on my second read through now and I picked up a bunch of stuff I missed before in the first few pages. Makes me look forward to reading the rest.
I have taken people from so many schools of thought and professions through this process and we have all learned so much. I know pianists, engineers and small business owners who sound like Bob Murphy now. That's hyperbole, but you get the idea.
Also, no information is above "the shitter". It's the most private place a person goes. You'll almost never be interrupted.
I'm going to start an MES group in March. I'll post on the boards here first. We should do it together. By caring at all, you are absolutely the perfect candidate.
It's the most private place a person goes. You'll almost never be interrupted.
The only place I can concentrate when reading. Unless I'm reading in the middle of the night when no one is home and my cell phone is off.