Is a history of Western philosophy worth reading?
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Is a history of Western philosophy worth reading?
Bertrand Russell’s “The History of Western Philosophy”: A Humanist Masterpiece. Russell is skilled, entertaining, witty, humorous, and has moral standards far superior to the culture in general. You will not only enjoy reading it, but can only be a better person after reading this book.
What books should I read to start philosophy?
The Best Philosophy Books for Beginners
- Plato: Five Dialogues by Plato.
- The Emperor’s New Mind by Roger Penrose.
- Mengzi: With Selections from Traditional Commentaries translated by Bryan W.
- Meno by Plato.
- Republic by Plato.
- Discourse on Method by Rene Descartes.
- Symposium by Plato.
- The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins.
How can I understand my philosophy better?
Here are a few suggestions:
- Do the assigned reading. The philosophical texts simply are the content of the course; if you do not read, you will not learn.
- Consider the context.
- Take your time.
- Spot crucial passages.
- Identify central theses.
- Locate supportive arguments.
- Assess the arguments.
- Look for connections.
What are philosophical books about?
Reading the best philosophy books gives us the opportunity to look into those hidden depths and understand our own thinking and behavior at a deeper level, helping us eliminate behavior we don’t like. Philosophy draws indiscriminately from all fields knowledge, in a never ending questioning.
How did western philosophy start?
Philosophy in the West begins in the Ionian Greek colonies of Asia Minor with Thales of Miletus (l. c. 585 BCE) who inspired the later writers known as the Pre-Socratic philosophers whose ideas would then inform and influence the iconic works of Plato (l. 428/427-348/347 BCE) and his student Aristotle of Stagira (l.
What are the best introductory books on Western philosophy?
A New History of Western Philosophy, first published in 2007, is epic in scope and lauded as one of the strongest and best-researched introductions to the subject. Kenny combines rich biographical context with academic rigour to create a wonderfully lucid account of philosophy’s development.
Is Anthony Kenny’s a brief history of Western philosophy worth reading?
Slightly less epic than his New History, Anthony Kenny’s A Brief History of Western Philosophy, published in 1996, is no less enlightening. If you’re looking for a more manageable read on Western philosophy’s history that still covers all the bases in thoughtful fashion, this is the book for you.
Is philosophy useful without a good professor?
Philosophy can be impenetrable without the right professors, but with enough patience, you can probably reason your way through even the hardest books without needing overpriced instruction. Even if it’s not “useful” per se, there’s a certain kind of pleasure in expanding your mind by contemplating huge questions.