[Mogura]

What would you recommend for a primer on philosophy?

I have no background in philosophy or in-depth knowledge of the different schools of philosophy, but I am intrigued by the subject and definitely would like to learn more about it.

If I log on to Amazon.com and run a search on "philosophy", no doubt I would receive an overwhelming number of hits. Even so, I wouldn't be able to distinguish the good reads from the bad ones (the reviews on Amazon are becoming more and more like YouTube comments every day).

Just looking for something with a broad overview. Informative and well-written, but not too academic, or won't put me to sleep...

[Antares]

I came to this forum knowing next to nothing about Philosophy, but reading those informative and thoughtful posts by other members as well as participating taught me a lot. I would recommend starting with online sites; wikipedia is a good start. I would also take the "Sublime Philosophical Crap Test" on helloquizzy.com for a brief introduction as well as gauging your own beliefs. When you decide Philosophy is your thing, pick a few 'isms to know in depth (ex. Logic, Realism, Reductionism etc.). You might try some Intro books, like Dummies and "A Very Short Introduction" series. If you're not snoozing by now, go take a Philosophy 101 class or do whatever geeky nubs do.

[Mogura]

Cheers for that. I was thinking of the Philosophy for Dummies book when I was writing the original post. I just wanted to see if there might be something better recommended. I look forward to educating myself on this fascinating subject, and then coming back and proving everyone wrong...
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[Monte314]

"Ideas of the Great Philosophers", by W. S. Sahakian:


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[Conservationist]

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[Mogura]

	Originally Posted by Monte314 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	"Ideas of the Great Philosophers", by W. S. Sahakian: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Hmmm... Looks interesting, but the reviewers either loved it or hated it. No lukewarm or average reviews. Hee hee...





Mogura added to this post, 2 minutes and 40 seconds later...

	Originally Posted by Conservationist To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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Wow, this one had a sh*tload of positive reviews...

[Conservationist]

	Originally Posted by Mogura To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Wow, this one had a sh*tload of positive reviews...

It has been around for a long time, is written very well, and covers all the bases. It's sort of the original introduction to philosophy.

I recommend it highly because it takes a historical view of philosophy. Durant shows how the different ideas emerged, where they fit in historical context, and how that influenced them.

His hidden agenda is carefully introducing all of the major topics in philosophy.

Philosophy teachers used to tell you this, but I learned it the hard way: after you're done with Durant, read the Greeks.

Everything -- including Buddhism and Hinduism -- is a footnote to the learning of Plato and Aristotle, Epictetus and others. The Greeks were pretty much a complete civilization in that they checked everything out and got back a report.

After that, I'd launch into continental philosophy, because it's the most fun. That will inevitably lead to Hinduism and the odious Buddhism, but after that the modern stuff becomes easier to understand.

[Ekagra]

Hello Mogura, There are two ways to approach your question.

1. I'll illustrate with an example from music. I've been a classical music fan for sometime. Awhile ago I had something of a blind spot for the music of J.S. Bach. Overcoming it was easy - I just bought some CDs and started listening. That is valid too for philosophy. As Goethe says '... begin it'.

2. Where to begin is more personal. All respect to Mr. Durant, but when I started out I found him to be a complete bore. I am not really much into compendiums and overviews anyway - I want the word from the horses mouth and I'll make up my own mind. If you find a philosopher to be of interest there are always read the commentaries. In my mind Aristotle and the English philosophers are a bit too dry to make a start with. Hegel is too convoluted, Buddhism and Hindu(yoga) philosophy is best approached when you have a bit of the faith. Nietzsche is wild and unless you have the ear for his bit of mental musicality it will be incomprehensible. Plato makes a good start, but I'd put in a plug for Schopenhauer. His language is straight up and crystal clear, worthwhile on that account alone. Schopenhauer is a bridging figure in philosophy who blends Western and Eastern influences while preparing the ground for what comes later with Nietzsche, Sartre and Kierkegaard. Read "The world as will and idea", then follow up with "Schopenhauer as Educator" by Nietzsche and you will be on your way. Or maybe not, but once you find your entry point your knowledge will radiate out from there as all the major figures deal in the same themes.

[Kele-De]

As a primer, I'd go with a reading on the
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thinkers.

[thod]

A very good site:


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[Ither]

Originally Posted by Ekagra To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

2. Where to begin is more personal. All respect to Mr. Durant, but when I started out I found him to be a complete bore. I am not really much into compendiums and overviews anyway - I want the word from the horses mouth and I'll make up my own mind. If you find a philosopher to be of interest there are always read the commentaries. In my mind Aristotle and the English philosophers are a bit too dry to make a start with. Hegel is too convoluted, Buddhism and Hindu(yoga) philosophy is best approached when you have a bit of the faith. Nietzsche is wild and unless you have the ear for his bit of mental musicality it will be incomprehensible. Plato makes a good start, but I'd put in a plug for Schopenhauer. His language is straight up and crystal clear, worthwhile on that account alone. Schopenhauer is a bridging figure in philosophy who blends Western and Eastern influences while preparing the ground for what comes later with Nietzsche, Sartre and Kierkegaard. Read "The world as will and idea", then follow up with "Schopenhauer as Educator" by Nietzsche and you will be on your way. Or maybe not, but once you find your entry point your knowledge will radiate out from there as all the major figures deal in the same themes.

I agree as to Schopenhauer. He is lucid, even in the original, and is a good general preparation for some schools of Hinduism (Vedanta).

[zibber]

	Originally Posted by thod To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	A very good site: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

This is a great resource; helped me out with many a take-home exam.

In any event, I think the ultimate advice would be to compile a list of "canonical" names and start by reading their most "important" (ie most canonical) texts directly. You can use one of those dummy books to help out with stuff you can't get through after a couple of reads (and most "canonical" texts require a few read-throughs), but I'd advise you not to start with them.

	Originally Posted by Ekagra To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	In my mind Aristotle and the English philosophers are a bit too dry to make a start with. Hegel is too convoluted

This kind of thing is certainly true, but the trouble is as follows: later philosophers are influenced by people like Aristotle and Hegel and actually reference them more than you'd think (or hope). I was reading Adorno the other day, and he happens to be someone who directly references Aristotle and Hegel various times.

Sometimes the "canon" can be a bit of a drag, but I suppose I do see the reasons for teaching philosophy in this way. There are a lot of connections and it can be helpful to recognize those.

[Nemesis]

	Originally Posted by Mogura To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Hmmm... Looks interesting, but the reviewers either loved it or hated it. No lukewarm or average reviews. Hee hee...

This is exactly what you want in a philosophy book.

[Jantei]

For a very general bird's eye view of the topic in audio lecture format you may want to consider
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by Oxford/Georgetown professor
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.

Robinson is a passionate and erudite lecturer, and his enthusiasm for philosophy is very infectious, especially over the audio book format.

This is a great way to start listening in on the 'great conversation' and also to identify specific authors and philosophers whose works might strike a chord with you.

[Ekagra]

Originally Posted by Jantei To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

For a very general bird's eye view of the topic in audio lecture format you may want to consider To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. by Oxford/Georgetown professor To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. . Robinson is a passionate and erudite lecturer, and his enthusiasm for philosophy is very infectious, especially over the audio book format. This is a great way to start listening in on the 'great conversation' and also to identify specific authors and philosophers whose works might strike a chord with you.

I have that too. I play those CDs when I am about with housework. Robinson has a nice series on psychology too. He's a good lecturer and I've learned some new things. It's an interesting perspective - where the priest, mufti, shaman, etc. rules there can be no philosophy. His mind is very linear, however, and so he clearly gravitates to Aristotle. I don't think you'll get a fair read on Vedanta or characters like Nietzsche from Robinson.

[ElstonGunn]

If you want a quick and basic primer, I'd recommend
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. It's a few basic philosophical concepts explained by using jokes. You can read it in a day or two.

[Storm]

I like
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He summarizes all the great philosopher's works by putting them in proof form. I still look back on it to refresh my memory. Also makes a great guide when reading the very dense stuff.

[dan888]

WIKI. It's free, and its spectacular.

[MaleVolentworld]

I have never read this book but I know someone that has, it's aimed toward teenagers and introduces them to philosophy in the form of fiction.


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Product Description
When 14-year-old Sophie encounters a mysterious mentor who introduces her to philosophy, mysteries deepen in her own life. Why does she keep getting postcards addressed to another girl? Who is the other girl? And who, for that matter, is Sophie herself? To solve the riddle, she uses her new knowledge of philosophy, but the truth is far stranger than she could have imagined. A phenomenal worldwide bestseller, SOPHIE'S WORLD sets out to draw teenagers into the world of Socrates, Descartes, Spinoza, Hegel and all the great philosophers. A brilliantly original and fascinating story with many twists and turns, it raises profound questions about the meaning of life and the origin of the universe.

[Xanthippe]

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"Product Description
With this introductory guidebook in hand, students will embark on the most interactive and engaging tour of Western philosophy available. As they journey across the landscape of wisdom, they'll develop an understanding of the key themes in the history of philosophy, a working knowledge of twenty major philosophers' central beliefs, and the critical reading and writing skills necessary to decode even the thorniest of philosophical texts."

This is what we used in my independent study last year (unfortunately, the schedule never worked out at all, but it's an excellent book nonetheless). It's nice because it allows you to explore your own views in writing in a very user-friendly way. Also, there are helpful explanations of how to visualise philosophical ideas. It can be a little too didactic at times, but it's really quite good.

[Quite8the8bell]

This isn't strictly philosophy and is more the history of it but if you're interested, I find it rather fascinating and greatly enjoy reading this:

Greek Thought: A Guide to Classical Knowledge

[LaoTzu]

I'd suggest general primers as well. get acquainted with the names and general ideas first.

Avoid anything that sounds pompous and elitist... it will bore you for no reason. People who read that simply want to quote and talk up big-worded notions to make themselves feel more edumacated than the average person. Philosophy is about breaking down systems into the simplest components so we can better understand life, the universe, and everything. Big worded notions are counter-intuitive to that end.


Besides, why read when you can listen??

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And my personal favorite philosophy teacher Rick Roderick, is getting some more pub on the net lately... I just found a site where you can watch his lectures online:


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Here's a direct link to my favorite lecture of his
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(He passed in 2002, and these lectures are early 90's...in case you're wondering about the pop culture references he's using)

[Tocsin]

Not sure if this is applicable, and I can't personally recommend it, since I haven't read it, but this was recommended to me several years ago:


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[Rudy]

Originally Posted by MaleVolentworld To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I have never read this book but I know someone that has, it's aimed toward teenagers and introduces them to philosophy in the form of fiction. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Product Description When 14-year-old Sophie encounters a mysterious mentor who introduces her to philosophy, mysteries deepen in her own life. Why does she keep getting postcards addressed to another girl? Who is the other girl? And who, for that matter, is Sophie herself? To solve the riddle, she uses her new knowledge of philosophy, but the truth is far stranger than she could have imagined. A phenomenal worldwide bestseller, SOPHIE'S WORLD sets out to draw teenagers into the world of Socrates, Descartes, Spinoza, Hegel and all the great philosophers. A brilliantly original and fascinating story with many twists and turns, it raises profound questions about the meaning of life and the origin of the universe.

I strongly second this recommendation. I've read the book myself. It's entertaining, which giving a good, succinct overview of philosophy. You can move onto more academic texts from there.

[HackerX]

	Originally Posted by Mogura To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Philosophy for Dummies

This book actually exists. Word is it's actually an ok introduction. I've only flicked through it though.

Also
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was good light reading.