Two Plus Two Newer Archives  

Go Back   Two Plus Two Newer Archives > Other Topics > Science, Math, and Philosophy
FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-23-2006, 06:10 PM
Mik1w Mik1w is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Manchester UK
Posts: 1,452
Default philosophy book

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!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-23-2006, 06:22 PM
guesswest guesswest is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,068
Default Re: philosophy book

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.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-23-2006, 06:45 PM
madnak madnak is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn (Red Hook)
Posts: 5,271
Default Re: philosophy book

You might try "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder. It's very accessible.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-23-2006, 08:25 PM
lastchance lastchance is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Don\'t edit my location
Posts: 22,856
Default Re: philosophy book

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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-24-2006, 02:02 AM
madnak madnak is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn (Red Hook)
Posts: 5,271
Default Re: philosophy book

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.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-24-2006, 03:27 AM
pilliwinks pilliwinks is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 193
Default Re: philosophy book

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.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-26-2006, 02:17 PM
rollyourown rollyourown is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Default Re: philosophy book

For a nice intro to analytic philosophy, try
Thinking Things Through, Clark Glymour, MIT press (I think).
Bruce
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-26-2006, 06:50 PM
Scotch78 Scotch78 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,765
Default Re: philosophy book

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
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-26-2006, 06:54 PM
Subfallen Subfallen is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Worshipping idols in B&W.
Posts: 3,398
Default Re: philosophy book

I think it's either Plato or Nietzsche.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:10 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.