Basic Teachings Of The Great Philosophers - A Survey Of Their Basic Ideas, Revised Edition [Paperback] Frost, S. E., Jr., Ph.D.

by S.E. Frost

Excellent Book

Genres: Philosophy, History, Nonfiction, Reference, Classics, Theory

Paperback

First published January 1, 1942

Reviews

[Fahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

"ما نمی توانیم با مُشتی تجربه های نامربوط که به طور اتفاقی در سراسر زندگی پراکنده اند ، احساس رضایت کنیم. باید تجربه های خود را برداریم و آن ها را در الگویی به هم پیوند بزنیم و از مجموعه شان کلیتی بسازیم که کم و بیش راضی کننده باشد. این الگو و این کُل است که فلسفه ی مارا تشکیل می دهد...
فیلسوف خطاب به ما می گوید:
نگاه کنید، این معنایی است که من از جهانِ تجربه ی بشری می گیرم ، و این بقیه نیز، اشتباهاتی است که از فلاسفه ی قبل از خود گرفته ام. این ها بهترین دانش و آگاهیِ من در ارتباط با دنیاست. به شما پیشنهاد میکنم آنها را از من بگیرید و از جایی که من تمام کرده ام، بررسی خود را آغاز کنید... "
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این کتاب به (ده مساله ی مهم) می پردازد که متفکران را از ابتدای تاریخ تاکنون به مبارزه طلبیده است:
*ماهیت جهان چیست؟
*جایگاه انسان در جهان کجاست؟
*خیر و شر چیست؟
*ماهیت خداوند چیست؟
*آیا ما آزادیم ؟یا محکومیم به سرنوشتی از پیش تعیین شده؟
*روح چیست و آیا زندگی بعدی وجود دارد ؟
*آیا حکومت مخلوق انسان است یا ریشه ی الهی دارد؟
*آموزش چیست و چه کسی بر آموزش کنترل دارد، مردم یا حکومت؟
*ذهن و ماده چیست و کدام برتر است؟
*ما تصورات خود را از می آوریم؟...
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در هر فصل ، به یکی از این سوالات پرداخته شده و پاسخهایی که فلاسفه در طول تاریخ به این پرسشها داده اند نیز در ادامه آورده شده و امکان مقایسه ی آراء، به خوبی فراهم شده است.
از معایب آن اینکه ، در بعضی فصول نویسنده به شدت به تکرار افتاده و بعضی مفاهیم را بارها توضیح داده
و دوم اینکه سیر رسیدن هر فیلسوف به اندیشه ی خاصش را به اندازه ی کافی شرح نداده و گاهی مسلسل وار موضع متفکران مختلف را در مورد موضوع مورد بحث، گفته و به سرعت از آن عبور کرده که باعث کسالت بار شدن آن در بعضی قسمتها میشد...

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely the best book you can possibly read if you are a beginner Philosopher, or were like me and taking a Philosophy class in College.

I knew of only names of Philosophers, and by the end of this book I knew their souls, or what made up the soul that translated life into words. Each of them making light of the greatest questions ever asked, and each with different "answers". Not only did they answer questions, but they took everything and formed a concise thought that explained everything. So their answer to one thing would be based off their grand thought.


I remember when I read this book, it felt like my mind had expanded to the size of the universe. My brain had to; your thought must be so open and willing if your to fully understand the teachings of Philosophers. Those who know less, are the ones who "think" they know the most.

When I took the class, so many people would fight over an argument, even if the teacher asked hypothetical questions, like; "if god is all knowing, then he knows everything you will ever do, and teacher would ask, "if this was the case", "Wouldn't your life be stuck to Gods fate". Pretty much Gods fate meant in 1 theory, that you had no choice, because God already knew which you would choose. (This is the type of stuff I am talking about, how your mind must expand if to ponder such possibilities)

I could have been like half the students who argued that we would still have choice and base pathetic little arguments based off what they thought they know, or I could be like the other half who said that they wanted to live Gods plan. I feel that since I read this book, I was able to look at the questions asked away from my human barriers, such as emotion, and really sit there and ponder the circumstances. Did I have an answer...no...but I was probably the only one who truly "understood" all sides of the concept, without emotionally decided on which I felt was best because I could write a 20 page essay on what I thought, maybe even a whole book, just on the 1 question! That is how powerful Philosophy can be, if you study those who founded it!

Anyways, out of all the books I found at public library, this was absolutely the best one. I do know of other great Philosophy books, I just remember this one changing my life more than any other.

[Juju · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean it’s exactly what you’d think it would be so can’t complain. Philosophy is just horrifically redundant sometimes. I don’t need fifteen different white men to tell me that men are pathetic and god is the absolute good for me to understand it. But if you were taking a class or something this would be really good to have on hand. It provides really good, short summaries of what each philosopher thinks.

[Matteo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. It summarizes well the ideas and views of the great philosophers of Western civilization. Unfortunately, I learned that nobody really knows anything. There was no real basis to accept one view over another. Everyone is guessing in terms of trying to answer the big questions.

[Geoff Ball · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a decent book that covers a wide range of philosophers. It is written where each chapter discusses a different question, and therefore is not dependant on previous chapters. There is some repetition between chapters, which can be expected.

The problem was all the repetition within paragraphs — the same sentence written three different ways. It became a distraction.

Overall, it is a decent book to outline general principles and arguments each philosopher defended, and it even provides what the author believes to be each philosopher's greatest work(s). It is, as the title suggests, nothing more than an introduction.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can only handle a certain amount of philosophical ideas in a week...I've been reading this book on and off for about two years now.

[Thamrong]

A good travelling handbook of philosophy but you find it difficult if you have not read Bertrand Russell 'History of Western Philosophy' cover to cover.

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

S. E. Frost Jr. was a professor at Brooklyn College, New York. He wrote the Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers back in 1942. Frost covers ten universal topics. They are all deep problems with complicated answers. For example, what is the nature of the universe? What is good, and by extension, what is evil? What purpose do human beings serve?

For each topic, Frost delves into the philosophies of Western European thought. He never considers Eastern thought, and it might be a product of his time. After all, if Frost were alive today, he could pass as my Great-great grandfather. Philosophy has popular thoughts and ideas, just like any other field of endeavor.

On the one hand, he only covers Western Thought. On the other hand, he dives deep and finds thinkers I hadn't heard of. One other caveat is Frost's religious beliefs. He went to a Divinity School. I don't know if that makes any difference to most people.

I enjoyed the book, but it was a product of the time. Frost's views narrow with his biases. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.

[Rebekah Byson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this general overview of philosophy repetitive and full of bias. Repetitive in that the author repeated the same phrases and ideas so often that the writing was clunky and yawn-inducing. Bias in that it was clear the author favored those ideas in philosophy that had a Judeo-Christian theme over others, so the effect was the book read like Protestant theology, rather than a general broad overview. As the title says, this book was "basic" and uninspired. I had read that this was a classic of philosophy, but I would suggest searching for another book if you're looking for a general overview and history of philosophy.

[Jeff Durant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addressing the 10 questions posed by Dr. Frost with potential answers from great philosophers is an admirable concept, but a seeming unwillingness to quote, his use of phrases such as, "heliocentric universe", and a pace that only someone who already understands the information can follow, make for an incomprehensive and inarticulate reference guide.

Suggested reading for those who agree with his introductory assertion,"Everyone, whether he be a plowman or banker, clerk or captain, citizen or ruler, is, in a real sense, a philosopher."

[Vince C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philosophy introductions and basic teaching books are always the right attention speed for me regarding a subject I have always found intriguing, yet also challenging. I appreciated that this one showed perspectives by topic, rather than the typical alphabetical "What's this Philosopher's deal?" Very refreshing.

[Hannie Ismail · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a brief overview of Philosophy. It may help you understand certain terms but really it was such a boring and tedious read. This is actually the book that made me start looking at goodreads reviews before making a commitment to finish a book. lol

If you're reading this and are close to Pearland, Texas then you can have my copy for free.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be quite useful as an overview of philosophical ideas. It is arranged by topic (ontology, metaphysics, morality, etc. etc.) and provides different philosophers' ideas on each topic, comparing and contrasting those ideas.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1962 edition is a little out of date but I liked the format. Each chapter reviews the philosophical history of particular questions in a time order. The format gives the reader an interesting perspective on the arguments that have been going on for centuries.

[Jimena Casillas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to know the world?

[Hadji VanderVeer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow read, but good insights on thought from these different eras

[Dustin Tramel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple introduction. Works best as a reference for those already familiar with philosophy.

[Calen Brantley]

Ashley

[Kashmiri Umer]

Good

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a synopsis of the more important philosphers in Western Civilization. As a synopsis it seems unbiased as it presents the major views of each philospher. I'd have to read all the philosopy works to categorically state that S.F. Frost Jr. has achieved that balance.

What have I learned? That Man is basically as he was from the beginning, only more sophisticatingly so. He still struggles with the ideas of Good & Evil, Fate and Free Will and what his place in the general scheme of existence, really?

Knowing I am not alone, in these questions, is a great comfort.

I should caution that this is not a book that can be read once. The condition of my book is evidence that I do believe that.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how seamlessly the prose flowed through a timeline of philosophers to explore their views on the same topic. It was ace to see how ideas were influenced and developed throughout the ages with regards to culture, the introduction of religion and the teachings of past philosophers. This is something that had always been missing for me, having studied philosophy at college in a very disjointed way. It really brought everything together and gave me the bigger picture, which is nice!

[Stevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good overview of the different topics within philosophy and the major philosopher's views on those topics

Poignant Quotes:

Kant - Always act in such a way that the maxim determining your conduct might well become a universal law; act so that you can will that everybody shall follow the principle of your action.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the great philosophers in the world and they all had differing opinions on the fundamental laws of philosophy. Every one seemed to leave off and another philosopher would elucidate more on his findings. At times it was a harrowing read, since I had to go back to get the jist of the matter. Philosophy is not an easy read. You have to engage all of your mind to what they are trying to say.

[Nick Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes several key questions which are very important, and answers them in terms of what major philosophers or philosophical schools took as their positions chronologically from ancient Greece to the present day. Many of the broad areas outlined here are taken up by a plethora of philosophers/schools and not every thinker is represented each time. I loved this book and recommend it.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the time, I loved it. It was my first intro to philosophy. Not sure what I would think about it now. Probably a little simplistic but a good overview on very specific subjects. At the time, I remember, it was my favorite book because all these ideas were so new and interesting.

[Jessica Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely ordered overview for non-experts such as myself which simplifies and presents philosophic teachings arranged by theme. An expert may find it too basic, but it's great for a lay-person who just wants to brush up a bit or get a broad understanding.

[Shardbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is the best book there is for beginning philosophy interests. It has subjects and then tells what each philosopher believes in summary or at least condensed. It's so readable. It's not a book you finish, it's a book you refer to ongoing.

[Robert Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complete summary of the views of the most important philosophers since the beginning of Western civilization.

[Moses Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent reference book for light philosophers

[Ehsan]

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