Philosophy book indications for beginners
- DevanilJr
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Philosophy book indications for beginners
• A Beginner's Guide
• A well-structured book with pedagogical resources (such as comparative tables).
• Not so beginner. I would like one to go deeper, but to be considerate in explaining it pedagogically.
• DO NOT be about the history of philosophy. I have a perfect collection in this style, written by giovanni reale. I would like a book like Reale's, but for topics such as epistemology, ethics, metaphysics and general problems of philosophy.
• It is not MUST, but it would help to have a style: impartial, but also opinionated (Bertrand Russell and the History of Western Philosophy is an example of this: he is quite critical, but tries to pass on the idea of philosophers impartially).
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Re: Philosophy book indications for beginners
But if you are seriously into Philosophy you cannot stop with the above books.
You will need to study in detail each of the philosopher mentioned in the above books.
You can then survey from the secondary sources re the pros and critiques of each of the philosophers. For example from
https://plato.stanford.edu/
and similar sites which will provide links to primary and secondary sources of references.
Eventually you must read from the primary sources, i.e. books written by the philosophers themselves. Otherwise you are likely to get a skew view of the original thoughts of the specific philosopher. One good example is Kant where I note many philosophers even those who has studied Kant all their life could misinterpret Kant's thoughts, e.g. on thing-in-itself.
To have a more thorough view of philosophy, one need to be familiar with Eastern and other philosophies as well.
The above mission to gain a rounded knowledge in philosophy will take time and there is no short cuts, else one's philosophical views will be half-baked.
- Burning ghost
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Re: Philosophy book indications for beginners
I can only speak personally, not being someone who is primarily focused on philosophy, that I found Kant and Heidegger to be useful in giving two distinctly different approaches and styles. They are hard work though and I think understanding that you cannot just cherry pick certain extracts, but need to have read the work in its entirety (more often than not) will help any student.
Ever since I read Critique of Pure Reason I have ALWAYS tried to push people toward tackling it. It is an exercise in concentration in and of itself. I taught me how to improve my reading.
Is this for teaching someone else or for yourself? If for yourself I would simply recommend reading the most famous works in the area that interests you first hand rather than dealing with the thoughts in a second hand manner. If you are teaching and looking for a more shotgun approach then I would recommend you select particular works that focus on different topics (topics that cross over if possible.) This way you'll be able to allow the students to hone in on their own particular interests. The latter task is more difficult, but I feel more helpful as compendiums always have to fall short and with philosophy the details of the words are the most important thing.
Also, a lot depends on your temperament. If you are more structured go for Kant, if less so veer toward people like Foucault, Nietzsche or Derrida. No matter what I cannot see how reading Kant will do anything but improve your ability as well as test your patience!
Good luck. Let me know what you find I would be very interested to hear what book/s you decide upon.
- Atreyu
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Re: Philosophy book indications for beginners
2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month
Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023