philosophy book

[Mik1w]

I would like to read about philosophy. I know that's very broad, but can anyone that has some knowledge on the literature out there suggest some interesting books on the subject that are worth reading?

Thanks for any help!

[guesswest]

I'd suggest picking up Russell's 'Problems Of Philosophy'. It's an essay available as a little book that covers a huge amount of stuff. The amount it squeezes into such a small space is a testament to his writing skill - because it doesn't feel dense at all, very readable.

Beyond that I'd suggest picking up one of the 'guides to western philosophy' - theres a bunch of these floating about, all similarly titled. I heard Penguins' is pretty good, google tells me the authors name is Hamlyn.

[madnak]

You might try "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder. It's very accessible.

[lastchance]

I hate this book so goddamn much. (have to read it for school) Easy to read, but so, so painful when you read about this arrogant 15-year old chick. Jostein Gardner definitely has a daughter....

The dialogue is painful, the ending is sort of clever, but actually reading the nonphilosphy sections to get to that ending is too much for me.

The actual philosphy sections are good, though. Just make sure to read it like an encyclopedia, and not like a book.

[madnak]

It's not a strong novel, no. And it can get annoying.

But it presents a good summary of philosophy.

It's hard not to hate a book you have to read for school, anyhow.

[pilliwinks]

I'd recommend 'Confessions of a Philosopher' by Brian Magee. It's autobiographical, but that just makes the philosophy more interesting and relevant. He really grapples with the ideas.

I also like Russell, but he has a drier, more academic outlook.

[rollyourown]

For a nice intro to analytic philosophy, try
Thinking Things Through, Clark Glymour, MIT press (I think).
Bruce

[Scotch78]

Anything by Plato. Seriously. He's pretty much the best philosopher and the best writer (for a philosopher) in the Western tradition. Besides which, he addresses pretty much every topic under the sun at some point.

Scott

[Subfallen]

I think it's either Plato or Nietzsche.