Essential Philosophy: How to know what on earth is going on

by Stefan Molyneux

Everything we do - from waking up, to negotiating, to enforcing ethics - is philosophical. We cannot choose to avoid philosophy, we can only choose whether we understand it or not. Stefan Molyneux, host of Freedomain Radio – the largest and most popular philosophy show in the world, with over 600 million views and downloads – takes you on a spectacular journey through the most foundational philosophical questions of the ages, clearing up and clarifying the most thorny problems posed by philosophers throughout history:

-How do we know what is real?
-How do we know what is true?
-How do we know what is right?
-How do we know what is good?
-How do we know we even have a choice?
-How do we convince others?

These are all questions that we – as individuals and societies – wrestle with every day. These questions have challenged, motivated and plagued mankind for thousands of years. “Essential Philosophy” answers these questions with rigourous, illuminating and entertaining logic, reasoning from deep first principles to spectacular final conclusions.

There is no need for confusion, there is no need for despair, there is no need for fear – pick up this book now, absorb the true power of philosophy, and live a rational moral life to the fullest.

And then, give “Essential Philosophy” to others, so that the world may one day live in reason and peace.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2018

About the author

Stefan Molyneux is the founder and host of Freedomain Radio, the largest and most popular philosophical show in the world. With more than 2,600 podcasts, 10 books and 50 million downloads, Stefan has spread the cause of liberty and philosophy to listeners throughout the world.

As the host of Freedomain Radio, Stefan has interviewed experts Noam Chomsky, Dr. Nathaniel Branden, Dr. Warren Farrell, Peter Schiff, Dr. Peter Boghossian, Dr. Mary J. Ruwart and many others.

Prior to launching Freedomain Radio, Stefan built a thriving career as a software entrepreneur and executive. In 2006, he left his work in the tech industry to devote his efforts to Freedomain Radio. Now a self-identified full-time parent and philosopher, Stefan speaks regularly at liberty-themed events all over North and South America. His speeches cover subjects ranging from politics, philosophy, science, atheism and economics to relationships, parenting and how to achieve real freedom in your life.

Stefan is the author of two novels, "Revolutions" and "The God of Atheists," as well as eight non-fiction books on relationships, government and religion.

Past live appearances include presentations at the New Hampshire Liberty Forum, the Porcupine Freedom Festival, Libertopia, Students For Liberty, FreedomFest, LibertyNow, Capitalism and Morality, LibertyFest West, the Brazilian Mises Institute's Idieas em Movimento, Freedom Summit, and the Global Escape Hatch.

Stefan has participated in a number of live debates, among them: "Bitcoin vs. Gold: The Future of Money" with Peter Schiff, "Zeitgeist Versus the Market" with Peter Joseph, "The Function of the State in Society" with Professor Vladimir Safatle and "How Much Government is Necessary?" with Michael Badnarik.

In addition to hosting his own regular show, Stefan has been a guest on audio and television programs such as RT America's "Breaking the Set" with Abby Martin, "Adam vs. The Man" with Adam Kokesh, "The Keiser Report" with Max Keiser and "The Joe Rogan Experience" with Joe Rogan.

Reviews

[Kathryn Beal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

In it, you will find a complete summary of the free will vs determinism debate and feel the energizing effects of being in control of your own fate. Kick nihilism in the butt and change your outlook on life.

You will also find proof of secular ethics, which is a system of morality. In my opinion, through understanding morality, you can increase your emotional self-defense. Emotional self-defense is about feeling certainty about what is right and wrong and not allowing others to manipulate you. Though the author doesn't use this language directly, this book can equip you with these tools for emotional self-defense.

The other great feature of this book is that it includes dialogs! In the tradition of philosophers like Socrates, Molyneux takes you through philosophical arguments point by point. I found these dialogs so helpful and entertaining.

Overall, this is a concise and fascinating book. A great introduction to Universally Preferable Behavior, or a useful review for those of us who haven't read UPB for a few years. 🙂

[مُهنا · Rating 3 out of 5]

I began this book thinking it is a simple history of different philosophical schools of thoughts, but it turned out to be a philosophical argument against determinism.

Interesting read overall, would recommend for anyone interested in philosophy.

[Diāna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I see why many might enjoy this, but this is very short-sighted introduction into the wonderful life of philosophy. The name *essential philosophy* is not correctly representing content of the book. How *essential* book can miss out on essential method of philosophy as critical discussion? There are no valuable references, essential names within history of philosophy or comparison of views when building up arguments.
Yes, the book is easy read and the author can argument his views with everyday examples. But. Can one view and lack of discussion be essential philosophy?
The only discussion the author has is with himself...and he seems to be stuck with free will and determinism that is repeating again and again.

[Jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the proofs and syllogisms aren't sound, but there are a lot of good practical takeaways.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cost a buck. Worth every penny.

Amazon has recommended many products I’ve ended up liking. This is not among those. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you like a thinker, you can quote his admirers – if you dislike a thinker, you can quote his detractors. If you dislike a group of thinkers, you can create a label to describe them, and then infuse that label with as many pejoratives as possible.

For instance, you can call people part of the “far right,” “extreme right,” or “alt-right,” and then hope – usually successfully – that people’s internal autocorrect transforms those labels into the ideologically required “fascist” or “Nazi.” You can label anyone who wishes to preserve his country’s culture as “far right/Nazi,” and then hope no one notices that Israel has a very strong desire to preserve its own culture, which means that, in this insane formulation, Jews are in fact Nazis.

You can also deride everyone on the left as a “snowflake,” even when leftists have powerful and legitimate criticisms of Western imperialism, traditional Republican warmongering and the military-industrial complex."

I absolutely loved this book. I think it really does do a good job simplifying "what on Earth is going on"

The world has gone mad, and this makes it all make sense.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m usually not a big fan of philosophy books because they tend to be pedantic and written in academic speak. This book is an exception. The discussions about free will seem like a huge waste of energy to me, but as the book progresses it moves into some really practical discussions about ethics, morality, government and religion. The discussions provide a useful framework for living. Advice like don’t destroy religion without providing an adequate replacement. Questions like why do governments get away with taxing people and killing millions. Sadly the last few pages are sample philosophical arguments and they seem as big a time waster as most. Couldn’t philosophers’ time be put to productive use?

[Ken G. Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of philosophy and why it is important

Not only an excellent introduction to the concepts of philosophy, ethics, and morality, but Essential Philosophy is also a reminder of why it is so important for humanity to understand what is at stake when people embrace bad belief systems. Simple language, simple concepts, and beautiful in it’s brevity and conciseness. The example arguments and the examples of types of character assassination techniques at the end resonates in today’s mass-media, anti-rational, politically-(in)correct environment. It truly takes guts to share the truth.

[Anne Wilken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of depth , clear and concise, Philosophy!

Complex philosophical concepts made clear without sophistry or hyperbole. It is essential. Stefan Molyneux delivers wisdom and logic patiently, kindly and expertly.

[Jerry Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

A great journey through the fundamental philosophical principles and a concise explanation of everything Stefan Molyneux has been talking about for years.

[Lucas Vanlaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoker

I found his style succinct and to the point. Entertaining in the use of relevant real world examples. I liked the book.

[Sebi Mihalache · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mandatory reading for anyone alive today.

[Momoinu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cuốn sách khởi đầu cho

[Goodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason I thought this would be a overview of historic philosophical thinkers

Instead it is a series of over polished rebuttals to arguments the author has apparently heard so many times.