Hi all. I want to start reading some philosophy to improve my reasoning skills, but I'm not sure where to begin. Should I try going in chronological order? Or from the easier to the hard (not sure what's easy and what's hard in philosophy)? Or should I find a general introduction to western philosophy textbook and go with that? Thanks
I would start with a textbook on philosophy, and then select readings based on what you learn from that.
In my classes we usually read works in a chronological order, starting with Aristotle and/or Plato. I would suggest you start there as well. One of my majors is philosophy, so if you want to know anything or want names of books to start with just let me know.
Yes please. I've read on other forums that starting with Plato and his Five Dialogues is usually best. WHat's your opinion? And yes, if you could give me a general list of authors to read chronologically, that would be great.
Plato is a great place to start. Here is a list of authors and what I think are their important works. I'm probably going to miss some since I'm no authority on philosophy, but this is off the top of my head. The list goes through the 19th century, although I've left out some of the more difficult philosophers (like Hegel). If you want any more suggestions, just let me know. Apology and The Republic by Plato Nicomachean Ethics and Politics by Aristotle Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes Two Treatises of Government by John Locke Discourse on Method by Rene Descartes Candide by Voltaire The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau Critique of Reason, Critique of Judgment, and Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant A Treatise of Human Nature and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume Common Sense by Thomas Paine The World as Will and Representation by Arthur Schopenhauer Either/Or and Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard
For a general introduction, The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant is good. It's not too long and it's definitely readable. It's an older book, so it might be at your local library. Happy reading! Patty
This is a good list. I would wish to add 'Beyond Good and Evil' by Nietzsche and the works of Socrates & Arostotle.
Overviews/Good reads: Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder A History of Western Philosophy - Bertrand Russell Confessions of a Philosopher - Bryan Magee Some favourites (and fairly easy): Any Plato Kant - Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals Schopenhauer - Essays & Aphorisms Hume - Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion Other favourites (hard): Wittgenstein Language, Truth and Logic - A J Ayer Feel free to message me too as I graduated with a degree in Philosophy last July.
Thanks for the list everyone. I think I'm probably gonna start with Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction and then try Plato on for size.
Gregory Bateson wrote two very good books which may not qualify as philosophy and are great at opening up new areas of thinking and different thinking, Steps to an Ecology of Mind, Mind & Nature.
The Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers by SE Frost is a great book. It's specific to ideas and concepts in Western Philosophy but still the best single source for the subject I've ever come across.
