Philosophy discussion

Hi I'm new here, trying to understand philosophy, which books would you recommend for a novice like me?

Thanks

Great suggestions! As an alternative, you might consider starting with Bertrand Russell’s “History of Western Philosophy”, still a fantastically comprehensive and erudite introduction into philosophy. But it’s a tome! You need to devote time and thought to it to get the best out of it.

Lighter fare awaits in the form of Anything by Nigel Wharburton - frankly, if you are new to philosophy that is where I would start. Easy to read intro texts on all the eminent thinkers since the Greeks.

From there, work yourself up! Cheers, Mark

I recommend a survey book for beginners. This one is still useful:

by Will Durant

Ok thks

Hellenistic Philosophy: Introductory Readings
A Presocratics Reader
A New Aristotle Reader
A Plato Reader: Eight Essential Dialogues
These were what we used in my Ancient Philosophy class. It is probably best to go somewhat chronologically so that you can see how philosophy progresses, but also because Greek Philosophy is still considered highly relevant today.

The Fundamentals of Ethics
Good overview of contemporary ethics.

Epistemology
Introduction to Epistemology (Study of what knowledge is, what we can know, and how we can know that we know)

Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction
Introduction to Metaphysics (Topics like causation, free will, nature of reality, etc)

Deduction: Introductory Symbolic Logic
Pretty good explanations of symbolic logic. Truth Trees, Truth Tables, functions, etc.

I would recommend “Plato at the Googleplex”

https://www.amazon.com/Plato-Googlepl...

I would second Jimmy's suggestion:



If you want to dive into some brief introductions to the primary texts try:



I read both of these books very early on when I began studying philosophy and I still go back to them occasionally.

The book that really got me into philosophy was Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre. It gives excerpts from lots of great thinkers so you can sample some different writings and see who you like.

Another good starting point would be Symposium and the Death of Socrates, which contains some classic philosophic moments like the Apology and the original discussion of Platonic Love.

Like any genre philosophy has writers/thinkers you won't like and writers you will, so if you don't like someone try someone else :)

Oh yeah just remembered there's a great textbook too: Philosophy: A Text with Readings. Well organized with lots of excerpts from tons of different writers. Happy reading!

So you admire mathematics but you're also against those critical of spirituality? But isn't it also the case that a solid mathematical background might impede one's philosophical growth?

Why not incline then, towards a spiritual underpinning for philosophy? In other words, what about thinkers who are for metaphysics and also against math? Are they on a dead-end?

I'm late to this discussion, but if you want a shorter Bertrand Russell book, I highly recommend 'the problems of philosophy'.

I would recommend 'The Mind of God' by the physicist Paul Davies. Rather than being a history of ideas and thinkers it's an attempt to actually get some problems solved. He does not succeed, but it seems to me that he adopts the right approach. It may be a particularly useful book for those who believe physics can solve metaphysical problems.

IMHO, if you want to understand philosophy you should read philosophers. Might I suggest starting with Plato. The Trial and Death of Socrates is accessible. Plato's Republic is an unforgettable human document.

Feliks wrote: "So you admire mathematics but you're also against those critical of spirituality? But isn't it also the case that a solid mathematical background might impede one's philosophical growth?

Why not ..."

In no way does a solid mathematical background impede one's philosophical growth. Consider the following quote from Galileo:

“Philosophy [nature] is written in that great book which ever is before our eyes -- I mean the universe -- but we cannot understand it if we do not first learn the language and grasp the symbols in which it is written. The book is written in mathematical language, and the symbols are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without whose help it is impossible to comprehend a single word of it; without which one wanders in vain through a dark labyrinth.”

From the Greeks, let no person ignorant of geometry enter. From the currents, the same should be said for calculus.