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Philosophy 101
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Philosophic Books
| Philosophy 101 |
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Philosophic Books |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
What are those books every philosopher should have in his study? Do you have a favorite? |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Anything by CS Lewis. Not only good fantasy/fiction, but one heckuva philosophiZer. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Nietzche is essential, he brings a humanity to cold and clinical subject matters. I'd say Herman Hesse as well. While fictional, his books are deeply philosophical, brought to life by rich characters and situations. A welcome breath of fresh air for those needing a break from the masters. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
This is a good question and one I've been wanting to ask for some time. What would the "essential starter" Philosophy library include? (smile. and what luck? The New Orleans Symphony Book Fair is going on this weekend...) so? c'mon boys... Give us a required reading list.  |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Probably Plato's Republic should be the first one. Fortunately it's available free online on several sites. Just run a search. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
1.Hilary Putnam --The Many Faces of Realism I haven't finished this one yet, but so far it seems like a good, concise introduction to anti-foundationalism. 2.Richard Rorty --Contingency, Irony, Solidarity Especially the first three chapters on contingency and his reading of 1984 Donald Davidson --Subjective, Intersubjective, Objective Can be tough going because his ideas are truly radical and yet his style is so matter of fact. Daniell Dennett --Consciousness Explained The question is always whether he explained it or merely explained it away. Jean Baudrillard --America It's been a while but I'm pretty sure this is the one where he says Disneyland is more real than, well, reality. |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Oh, I almost forgot, try to find Pragmatism: a Reader ed. by Lewis Menand. Berengar read that and said, "Brad, this is you through and through." |
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Opeth Senior Member
since 2001-12-13
Posts 1543The Ravines |
A good place to start learning about philosophy... ~ Philosophy by Thomas D. Davis ~ Intro to Philosophy by William James Earle |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Some resources http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/index.htm From there it's a matter of googling for online works http://www.sosig.ac.uk/roads/subject-listing/World-cat/philos.html check the subsections up top which include online txt and information 'Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
How very cool. Thanks all, and especially Raph for the awesome links. |
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Ringo 
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
I would have to add (although, I am prepared for a stream of comments) the Bible, the Other Bible, The Book of Mormon, and the Q'ran. Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs... |
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berengar Member
since 2004-01-02
Posts 86 |
The first book on philosophy I ever read was Bertrand Russell's "History of Western Philosophy' - a very good rundown and Russellian in mood through and through. Copleston has his own compendiums approaching the topic from the catholic point of view, and very good on medieval philosophy (if you're into that sort of thing). |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Though not a formal philosopher (he seems to have had too much sense for that .. heh), I would recommend Francis Schaeffer's works ... any of them. But if you don't have the time to read them all, the "Triology" book contains the foundations of his thoughts and is a great place to start. http://www.rationalpi.com/theshelter/writings.html Of course I agree with Chris about C.S. Lewis, though also not a formal philosopher by vocation. Chris ... ever read "The Abolition of Man"? ... a provocative critique of relativistic culture, though one of his least popular books. It's my personal favorite (so far), and one I consider to be prophetic in it's scope. Stephen |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Thanks K Ringo no argument here, in fact I'd add the Gospel of St.Thomas and Gnostic works to the mix as well as well as Hermetic and Kabbalistic works. |
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Ringo
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
Raph- The St. Thomas Gospel and many Gnostic works are in The Other Bible. That is the reason for it's inclusion here. Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs... |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Mortimer Adler - particularly, "Four Dimensions of Philosophy." |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
My bad, wasn't sure what you meant by the 'other bible'. I simply singled out Thomas's book because it is very much the philosphies of Jesus which are interesting when seperated from religion |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
I think those are all wise recommendations. Thank you for your comments. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius is another i forgot to mention. An excellent collection from an intriguing figure |
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Local Parasite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527Transylconia, Winnipeg |
You can find pretty much anything you'd need at http://www.gutenberg.net, as an English student it's my duty to know this.  Seriously though, don't use google for online texts, use Gutenberg, and if you can't find it there, it's not worth reading. (or google for "title.txt") For philosophic texts, uh, Republic is good, I'd also read Hegel and Kierkegaard as a way of understanding some more recent philosophy... Plus I just plain love Kierkegaard... Oh, and Spinoza, Ethics, is a nice one. Thomas Aquinas too, but I've got to go, I'm missing my bus.. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
Philosophy is like the ocean. You can drown in it, especially if you don't know where the islands are. A good place to start might be an overview, a book which doesn't get you too lost in detail but describes the flow of philosophical thought and touches on major points. Any introduction to the history of Western Philosophy might be good to "get your feet wet". Stephen. |
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Local Parasite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527Transylconia, Winnipeg |
Actually one thing I wanted to say but never got the time to mention--- I really don't like the idea of reading secondary sources as a means towards understanding philosophers... of all things, philosophy is something that you should learn straight from the source, or you're in danger of forming an opinion of someone else's opinion--- Plus, philosophers tend to be brilliant writers, their texts (I find) are much more enjoyable than some stuffy old course textbook. Not to say secondary sources aren't helpful at all... I have found some of them extremely helpful. But they should be read -after- the philosophers, and not as a way of deciding whether or not that philosopher is your cup of tea. JMHO |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
If the book has rhythm and rhymes Read it deeply and many times; If the book shows no form or flow Read the summary by John Doe! |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
The wisest philosophers, are poets. |
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Stephanos
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618Statesboro, GA, USA |
G.K. Chesterton: "Orthodoxy" Don't let the title fool you. This little book is anything but dry and liturgical. I call Chesterton's writing philosophy mixed with a good dose of common sense, satire and bantering wit. A thorough pleasure to read, even if you end up disagreeing with him. http://www.ccel.org/c/chesterton/orthodoxy/orthodoxy.html If you can't buy it, then download it or read it online. Stephen. |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Thanks Stephenos. That may be at the library here. |
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