philosophical books

For the discussion of philosophical books.

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monka191
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philosophical books

Post by monka191 »

what are the most common or most popular books about philosophy ?
questing vole
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Re: philosophical books

Post by questing vole »

I don't know for sure but if you are starting out a good introduction to some of the main themes is to be found in Nigel Warburton's Philosophy: The Basics and Philosophy: The Classics, both Routledge.

To know a bit about how a modern philosopher lived his life you can read Bryan Magee's Confessions of a Philosopher, a journey through Western philosophy (Phoenix).

Nothing beats the real thing and I found useful the anthology Western Philosophy, edited by Cottingham, Blackwell - divided into themes and chronologically with short intro's.

Others may disagree - but that's philosophy. :mrgreen:
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Nisus
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Re: philosophical books

Post by Nisus »

Russel's History of Western Philosophy is an essential reading too.
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Rortabend
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Re: philosophical books

Post by Rortabend »

Nisus wrote:Russel's History of Western Philosophy is an essential reading too.
I think you need to be careful when reading Russell now. No book is free from bias but, with his bias toward English-speaking analytical philosophy, Russell's treatment of continental thinkers like Husserl and the American pragmatists is, at best, naive and, at worst, just plain daft. A beautifully wrritten and important historical document no doubt but a wonky introduction to modern philosophy.
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Nisus
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Re: philosophical books

Post by Nisus »

He had his faults, I know, but HWP is an excellent reference book nonetheless...

And we should be careful when reading EVERY author...
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Rortabend
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Re: philosophical books

Post by Rortabend »

And we should be careful when reading EVERY author...
I think I said this in my post. My point is that there are better introductions to philosophy available. The problem with Russell's book is that it's a polemic masquerading as an introduction.
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Nisus
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Re: philosophical books

Post by Nisus »

Rortabend wrote: I think I said this in my post. My point is that there are better introductions to philosophy available. The problem with Russell's book is that it's a polemic masquerading as an introduction.
Cite other good introductions to Philosophy that you know then...
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Rortabend
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Re: philosophical books

Post by Rortabend »

Think by Simon Blackburn.
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Re: philosophical books

Post by tbieter »

The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant
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Rortabend
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Re: philosophical books

Post by Rortabend »

A good introduction to the other side...

An Introduction to Continental Philosophy by David West
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