self-help philosophy books wanted

[jim123]

Recently I have come aware that my aims in life do not correlate to achievements thus far in life and put this down to me 'doing things in the wrong way', getting the process wrong.

I want to be constantly asking questions and observing life all through the day - thinking about the news, books I am reading, studies and anything which I see. I want to be interested in everything that I see, hear and read.
I have many objectives including learning several languages, reading history, philosophy, politics, economics and anything else. I enjoy the process of learning as well as the sense of achievement which I feel when I've achieved something. Above all, I'm happiest when I'm thinking and finding it very rewarding and fulfilling.

So many of my objectives are tied up in my own ability to concentrate, which sometimes I lack. For example, when I read a book (for example a Dickens' novel, I was recently reading), I found my mind straying to thinking about the news, about whether I was reading the book in the right way, whether I should be reading this book and not another...and so many other doubts and queries. It is as if all these doubts and queries overpower my interest in what I am reading. I find that this repeatedly happens whenever I try to read and recognise that it is an internal problem which I can only overcome through tackling it head on. I see the problem as directly linked to my concentration (and perhaps my interest). I would like to be able to 100% concentrate on what I am reading so that what I read is what I consider - thus hopefully improving my comprehension, reading speed and retention rate.

I know that there are so many self-help books out there but read somewhere that philosophy is the better to improve ourselves. If anybody could suggest books that I could read to help me out with my problem then this would be much appreciated. I'd like to find an argument/idea so compelling that it changes my state of mind so that I'm able to put 100% into whatever I do.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[jim123]

#2
Just to add to above..

In short, I think I'd like to know how I can become 'addicted' to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom so that it is all I can think about etc.. I know that there won't be a strict way to do this but what would people generally recommend? Should I read as much philosophy as I can and what type of philosophy? I know the type of person that I'd like to be but am just looking for a way to get there! Is it possible to change my state of mind to how I want it to be?

[Gabe]

I'm reading a book right now that sounds like it's right up your alley; "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer Adler. Adler was a 20th century Philosopher of Education whose ideas have certainly influenced the curriculum at St. John's College through the concept that there are specific "Great Books" and "Great Ideas" that have shaped Western Culture into what it is today. Anyway, this particular book teaches One how to be a more active reader, how to read analytically, how to read syntopically, and how to approach different types of writing styles. I've already learned alot and I'm not even half way through it.

[Akhenaten]

Please... Please I beg of you do not take this as my being anything other than absolutely sincere. I've considered it for quite some time, and I have concluded (I tend not to pay attention) that this could sound as if I were meaning it offensivly. I assure you, I am not.

To think philosophically, about ones self atleast, one must accept the fact that with in themselves there are faults and positives... bad things and good things if you will. Logically, intuitivly, or really otherwise, one should amplify what they consider their better aspects, and remove their flaws. This is, again, logical and intuitive. Granted, what one considers a good attribute, may not be the same as what the rest of us consider a good attribute... however, if it is true to them, and only their mind can percieve their existence... really whos truth matters more, individually speaking? Even a murderer, if honest with themselves as to their nature, can be treated as more than valid, and very upstanding citizens... you simply call us soldiers... This is so much a part of our philosophy that: those who cannot co-exist with their actions we label to have their judgement impaired by a condition known as Shell Shock/Battle Fatigue/Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (simply because a comedian says it does not make it less valid)... when truly all we cannot cope with is the fact that what we have done is violent, grotesque, and a mockery of the basic fundamentals of life.

Therefore, simply by thinking philosophically, discovering good traits and eliminating the bad in a logical and intuitive process... I.E. Meerly thinking and wondering on the topic of who are you, really... is self help. You do not need a book.