Bengkel Ilmu: Filsafat

by Neil Turnbull

Filsafat membahas pertanyaan besar, seperti “dari manakah kita semua berasal?”, “kenapa kita berada di sini”, dan “apa yang terjadi setelah semua ini berakhir?”. Filsafat juga membahas berbagai jawaban yang telah terpikirkan oleh manusia. Buku ini adalah napak tilas sejarh filsafat.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Reference, History, Literature

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jake L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book to read a couple pages of before bed!

Not exactly the most accurate I imagine. Not that I have the most background knowledge of lots of the philosophers but definitely significantly simplified the ones I do know some about.

Although the book is rather opinionated which I can imagine ruffling some feathers, I think it is a great literary tool that is used to effectively turn a “boring” history lesson into an engaging story, making each turn in philosophy a conflict -- a sort of win or loss that transforms history into a story-like experience.

Definitely one of the more engaging philosophy books I’ve read!

[Kendel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great brush over many philosophers in a short, easy to understand text. I did find at times that it was hard to get through because I cared more about modern applications through philosophical examples rather than the actual philosopher from “the beginning of humanity” to the 90s (it’s just a lot of content but you never really go that deep into the concept). Great beginners resource though, and I enjoyed the pros and cons of the authors commentary of each philosopher.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this as a gift—from my mother, I think, and well-meaning I'm sure regardless—and it took me years to slog my way through it because, despite my love for philosophy and my desire to get a better overview of it from ancient Greece to today, I just plain didn't like this.

It is, in fact, a reasonably digestible overview of the entire history of Western philosophy in a mere 192 pages, so of course it's going to leave important bits out, and reduce everything—including major concepts and people—to at most a couple or three pages of touchstones, definitions, context, and maybe occasional bio, in an entirely superficial manner. That's the only way to cover what amounts to 15 years per page. And it does that, so it's a fairly acceptable starting point, especially for people who like brevity or clip-art, or who are easily distracted.

Nevertheless, as others note, the author spends great swaths of his precious ink on thinly-veiled axe-grinding polemic. In the end, he appears to consider everything from Socrates on to have been a giant diversion and mostly a waste of time, if not an outright catastrophe. It's one thing to come to that conclusion (though I maintain that he's wrong); it's another thing to spend 120 pages relentlessly and pejoratively foreshadowing it.

But I gotta give him credit for facing down a monumental task and completing it somewhat successfully, so two stars instead of one.

[Maria Jose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro recuerdo muy bien que lo vi como parte del video de Damon Dominique en su video Me versus LSD and Exisencial dread donde prácticamente el habla de como a estado en ese momento de su vida y que a buscado respuestas del significado de esta misma y recomienda un par de libros donde se encontraba incluido este y me llamo mucho la atención la forma en que lo presentaba y me pareció muy útil buscarlo y leerlo asi sea en PDF ya que yo misma estaba comenzando en el viaje a la filosofía ya leyendo y pidiendo prestado varias guías, pero un día de casualidad en alguna tienda de libros de segunda mano lo conseguí posiblemente a 3$ o 5$ y no podía desaprovechar la oportunidad asi que lo tome, cada capitulo decidí leerlo y dejar que mi cerebro lo mastique y entienda convirtiéndose asi en la mejor guía para comenzar en el mundo de la filosofía por la manera en la que expresa a los autores y el transcurso de la filosofía hasta hoy día y tambien por algunas opiniones y puntos de vista del autor que simplemente me parecían muy divertidos, un libro muy bueno como abre boca a este mundo bastante complejo

[James Badger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of several introductions to philosophy I will be reading in the near future. I am currently looking for ways to incorporate more philosophy into my high school English curriculum, which is why I have so many introductory philosophy books in my cue.

This book is handsomely printed, and it was the binding of this book which drew me to it more than anything else. While the text itself does provide an overview of philosophy, it was not really an effective overview of philosophy. At times the illustrations distracted from the stated goal of the book. At times the book itself wandered far from its philosophical aims. Finally, there was a tendency to get a little cute with the explanations of major philosophical movements. It really makes me wonder who the intended audience of this book is.

[Rachel Dingus · Rating 4 out of 5]

“…human existence has wonder at its very core, and it is our very ‘openness’ to the world that makes us both free to create in it and be responsible for our creations at the same time.”

Really good intro to western philosophic concepts and history! The earlier philosophies were a bit hard to grasp, but that’s understandable considering this is meant to be a general guide. I really enjoyed the more contemporary parts though! You definitely need to have a basic understanding of western history and sociology to put the concepts in context, and I think this book helps do exactly that.


Note for future me: Hegel, Nietzsche, Marx, Heidegger, Foucault

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great intro book for someone who has never thought about philosophy ever, or even knows what the umbrella term philosophy covers overall. While I do realize it's an introduction to abstract concepts the author rarely points to resources that can expand upon learning a mode of philosophy. It is somewhat outdated at this point but it is useful in some aspects regarding specific philosopher introductions

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a speeding bullet train of Eurocentric philosophy! But I'm here for it. This is possibly the densest, messiest little book I've ever read with philosophers and their ideas even peeking out from margins in the form of comics and anecdotes. I expected a fun philosophy refresher since my university literary theory course years ago but what I got was a messy, philosophical Choose Your Own Adventure. Still, I'd recommend this book just the same for its ambitious scope and unique execution.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

As the opening to chapter 7 says "...a crude attempt to popularize ideas that should not or cannot be popularized. They might complain that the narrator is a vulgar philosopher who fails to treat the sacred Canon of philosophical idea with sufficient respect." I don't know that ibwould personally use vulgar, but the author definitely had opinions for and against things, that did not come off very well.

[Samuel Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the introduction to philosophy and found it laid out in a way that was easy to read. The illustrations were delightful and the info was informative. I got this as a gift from my wonderful boyfriend and am very glad about it. I’ll surely be reading it over again as there’s a lot of information I know I didn’t fully retain.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book. I started reading philosophy with Diogenes, because he was weird.
I read this book because I didn't understand a lot of philosophical terms and just wanted an overview of who/what I could choose to read about and this book definitely fit that criteria, while also being funny and engaging.

[Tom G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and hopeful overview of the history of philosophy that undoubtedly has an axe to grind with the way that philosophy is practiced in the modern age. I'm a novice, so it's impossible to say if this is accurate or comprehensive, but I feel I've learned a lot and my mind feels more open!

[Madeline O’Malley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for children.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to philosophy. Great overviews of schools of thought.

[Buenisimo_____ · Rating 5 out of 5]

El comienzo de toda mi inquietud por la filosofía. Hermoso.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short, short version of the history of philosophy. Mentions the highlights of some of the greatest philosophers, from pre-Aristotelian thinkers to some of the more recent, more recognizable postmodernists. Written in a conversational style that might make some of the more difficult concepts easier to novices in the field.

The author also pushed the idea about philosophy not being "dead" but being an important part of everyone's life, despite an increasing dependence on technology and science. It makes me wonder if the sole reason for writing this book was to give the author a soapbox for which he could push his manifesto.

A couple things bothered me about this book, however. It is mentioned at the very, very end about how very few women are even mentioned as philosophers, but all of those I learned about in a Literary Theory class I took in grad. school (Hélène Cixous immediately comes to mind) were excluded, perpetuating the female-less philosopher listings that were the basis of complaint in the first place. Also, the writing style, for me, did not actually make the book all that much more accessible, and the layout of the book was interesting but ended up being too distracting for me. (No need for a text to circle, bold, underline, etc. concepts for me, and having columns on every single page to highlight additional information often confused me because I wasn't sure if I should read the columns or the pages first.) It also was clear when the author did not approve of a particular philosopher or philosophy, and I wonder if this is an appropriate way to discuss philosophy's development to a novice in this field.

A good beginner's book on philosophy and a helpful refresher for those who are a few years beyond learning about the big philosophers, but definitely not a book to be used to accompany a larger, more informed philosophy text.

[Justin Hermiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a beginners guide on understanding philosophy. it gives you a basic understanding of philosophies from early man to modern day. it can help you understand how philosophies are different, alike, and all connected in some way.

i gave it five stars because i was so unaware of how many philosophies there are and the reasons behind them. I'm already a huge fan of philosophical books.

"it is through an awareness of death that we come to appreciate the reality of our own being and we become aware that being reveals itself through our own authentic actions(Turnbull 169)." this quote from the book is an explanation of how if we are aware of death we are more aware of life and how we learn more day by day. one of the many philosophical ideas expressed in the book.

the exigency in this book, i believe, is to educate people that there are more philosophies than just the ones we all know. its through this book that you can have some exposure to the unknown, and learn about yourself, and the world around you.

i would recommend this book to someone who is questioning life, and the way they think feel or act. i would also recommend this to people who wish to be philosophy majors.

[Richard]

Writing general reader overviews on a topic such as the history of Western philosophy is most often a thankless task. Any author brave enough to take on the challenge and produce something intelligible is consequently deserving of respect. That said, I would not recommend this book. Turnbull suggests that there are three basic views of philosophy: technocratic, Philistine, and Romantic/revolutionary. The author clearly favors the third. In this group moreover, he places Socrates, Marx, Nietzsche, and Foucault. While I am appreciate all four of these philosophers it seems like his schema is far too simplistic. (Plato and Aristotle. meanwhile, are characterized as technocrats as are most enlightenment philosophers.) Turnbull should have organized this history in a different way. Perhaps sticking with a simpler chronological narrative. Finally, while it is a small matter, Turnbull writes that Marx's labor theory of value holds that all value derives from the worker. This is not true - Marx also held that nature itself is a source of value. A minor fudge but it makes me wonder what other nuances have been eliminated from Turnbull's treatment.

[an · Rating 4 out of 5]

buku ini memenani rhe selama 2 minggu habis kecelakaan sampe g bisa jalan. kerjaan cuma nangkring di kamar doang ma ni buku.

kenapa suka???
karena selama ini filsafat terkesan berat dan identik ma orang" tua ubanan. tapi ni buku dibawain dengan ringan, full color ma gambar.
seru banget, klo biasa na anak muda (cie... sok ngaku muda)bosen baca gituan (yg full teks maksud na), buku ini bisa jd pilihan yg g bosenin.

tokoh filsuf fovorit rhe dalem buku ini adl Desiderius Erasmus. jadi pengen pake nama ini buat anak rhe nanti (waduh... apaan nih, nikah aja belon, mimpi punya anak???)

pokok na yg belon baca, wajib daca!!!

dito yg kata na hobbr ma filsafat.... ni buku menarik lho,,, walo g mendalam spt bacaanmu...
tetep aja rhe bilang bagus.
hehehehe!!!!!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads exactly as the opening few pages describe the book, like a conversation. As you read this book, you feel like you have a good friend sitting in front of you explaining the entrails of the godfather of liberal arts; Philosophy.

I loved this book. Though I already have a general knowledge of (mainly Greek, Asian and German) philosophy I was very entertained by this book. Full of funny little cartoons to emphasis points, this book really break down the basics of philosophy. It's also very reader-friendly as in the reader won't come across advanced vocabulary that isn't defined in a vocabulary square on the far sides of the pages.

[Yuni Ananindra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sebenarnya, buku nonfiksi dengan ketebalan kurang dari dua ratus halaman ini bisa diselesaikan dalam waktu kurang dari dua minggu. Tapi, berhubung waktu baca kepotong sama sakit dan pura-pura sibuk akhirnya buku ini mesti dikembalikan ke perpustakaan. :|

Buku ini cocok untuk pemula yang ingin tahu tentang seluk-beluk dunia filsafat. Di sini dijelaskan secara singkat perjalanan filsafat termasuk beberapa teori dan para tokoh sentralnya (meski saya nggak hapal ini ><). Disajikan secara "santai" dan banyak gambarnya. \(´▽`)/. Menarik. Jadi, meski saya belum selesai baca, saya kasih buku ini empat bintang.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

An abbreviated approach to the history of Western philosophy that hits many of the major ideas. Yet it still manages to advance a particular view of philosophy as a discipline that asks philosophical questions rather than "technical" questions, i.e. questions asked and answered by experts. Turnbull argues, with a light touch, that we are all philosophers because we can all ask and potentially answer philosophical questions.

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book, approaching the subject of philosophy in an entertaining, unfazing manner, covers the basics of the field. I would say that it is written at a middle or high school reading level.
Personally, I did not enjoy this book. I don't feel that it's all that helpful to be cracking jokes about anything and everything in a beginner's philosophy book, and the attempted "comedy," which got old very quickly, was just annoying.

[Willy Akhdes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading this book in three hours in a public library in my town. I had to stay inside library due to heavy rain outside. This book is a 'light' introduction philosophy book which can cater all kind of reader. Paul Arden, the author is a philosophy lecture. He delivers a brief history of philosophy since Socrates era till modern age in entertaining way. Fully depicted with informative illustration.

[Eric Harrill]

If you can get your hands on this one you'll love it--quite a delightful read I must say. Very condensed but a great treatment of philosophy. Great illustrations on every page. The pre-socratics were purer in their philosophizings. Plato was in the age of the technocrats--the corruption. Our modern age holds many of its forms. Few things I learned.

[Damian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to read this to my ex-girlfriend at bed time.

[Neil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick overview of philosophy for the novices.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only just begun reading philosophy and found this book amusingly interesting. The optimistic ending is great.

[Cassandra Carico · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simple overview.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very high-level overview of philosophy... helps with understanding "Lost" characters and ideas!