The two mains questions we must ask while reading practical books are:
- What are the author’s objectives?
- How do they propose to achieve them?
This is because all practical books must be judged by the ends that their proposed actions will bring, unlike theoretical books that can be entirely judged by reason and argument.
While reading a practical book we must further ask whether the book is true. More specifically, given the practical nature of the book, we must see whether the objectives and their means are correct and appropriate.
Finally, when we ask “What of it?” we should recognise that agreement should reflect a behavioural change in us.