Beginning philsophy suggestions? [Bob asks]

[Bob]

Any suggestions of a place to start learning about philsophy?  A "Philosophy for Dummies" book maybe?
Any suggestions Bernhard?  Thanks!

[bernhard]

You could try a standard textbook, but these are dry and boring and because they are “system” books they tend to be quite tame. And yet nothing could be more maverick and anti system than philosophy itself! So I suggest instead that you read the philosophers themselves. A lot of them (Bertrand Russel immediately springs to mind) wrote philosophy books for laymen.

Here are some that I enjoyed:

Isaiah Berlin – Five essays on Liberty (Isaiah Berlin is a minor philosopher but a superb writer – worth reading for the pleasure his style elicits).

Karl Popper – Conjectures and Refutations (Popper is my favourite philosopher, although he is underrated. This book is a collection of his essays and it is perfectly inteligible by anyone).

Robert Nozick – Philosophical Explanations (Nozick, in my opinion one of the greatest philosophers of the 20th century  - he died in 2002 – wrote extensively on a variety of subjects, especially politics, but this book is his most interesting imo)

If you are into the old Greek philosophers, a very funny way to get to know them is Robert Pirsig’s The art of motorcycle maintenance (not really about motorbikes).

Finally, get books on and about these two philosophers, probably the most important (for the development of philosophy in the 20th century) : Noah Chomsky and Ludwig Wittgenstein (you may find their books heavy going).

This should keep you busy for a while.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Dave_2004_G]

What type of philosophy?
An excellent starting place for a general introduction to different philosophers is Sophie's world

Dave

[bernhard]

What type of philosophy?
An excellent starting place for a general introduction to different philosophers is Sophie's world

Dave

I will second that!

Sophie's World is excellent.

[Bob]

Thanks for the advice.  Are all these suggestions easy to understand though?  for the laymen?  I'd like to look into it, but don't think I'll be able to make it a huge project.  :-/

[bernhard]

Definitely start with Sophie's World as Dave suggested.

[Bob]

What is Sopie's World?  I've heard of it before I think...

[bernhard]

What is Sopie's World?  I've heard of it before I think...

Sophie’s World is a book… he he  

Have a look here for some reviews:

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0425152251/102-3909223-7368139?v=glance

[coco]

Hmm,

    If you are into sth that's related to music/music education and aesthetic philosophy, you may read Bennett Reimer's 'A philosophy of Music Education.'
This is the book you won't regret having had read.

[Derek]

I would highly reccomend you read any books by Ayn Rand.  Start with Atlas Shrugged...this is a very thrilling novel as well as presenting her philosophy of life.

I don't agree with everything in Ayn Rand's philosophy, but at least its inspiring for heaven's sake.

[Xelles]

Now THIS is a thread

I strongly suggest you read as much as you can about existentialism, surrealism, absurdism, and idealism. Then read as many books as you can find on Franz Kafka (a good one to start with is "The Metamorphosis") and Joseph Conrad (definetely "Heart of Darkness" is a must read").

You MUST have an understanding the of 5 ism's before you read "Heart of Darkness".

[Bob]

Hey, Bernhard!

"Who are you?"

ha ha ha...
Thanks for the advice!

[bernhard]

Hey, Bernhard!

"Who are you?"

ha ha ha...
Thanks for the advice!

Who wants to know?

You are welcome