I think anyone who pretends to be a philosopher (as I do NOT, being an ADHD, dyslexic amateur) MUST study, not just read, the fifth chapter of "The Phenomenology of Mind." I'd venture it is one of the ten most important philosophical works of the past couple of centuries.
Guys like Hegel are wrong, but they are wrong in VERY helpful ways.
Now that's funny right there, I don't care who ya are.