Where Do I Start In Philosophy?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Start from a position of ignorance.
  • Expect to go slowly.
  • Read when you are most alert.
  • Pick whatever interests you the most.
  • Get a philosophical dictionary.

What philosophy books should I start with?

  • 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.

What is the best introduction to philosophy?

  • Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder.
  • A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell.
  • Philosophy: The Basics by Nigel Warburton.
  • The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant.

What do you do in introduction to philosophy?

Philosophical writing, even in coursework, is about constructing arguments rather than demonstrating knowledge. So a typical intro essay will involve (1) explaining a problem , (2) explaining a position on it, (3) offering an argument why that position is wrong, and (4) possibly arguing for an alternative solution.

What is the starting point in doing philosophy?

That starting point of doing philosophy–– inquiring to ask the right questions . In one sense philosophy is thinking about conceptual puzzles, as in what are the logical consequences of our conclusions. These conceptual puzzles make the discussion of philosophy really interesting.

What is the best way to study philosophy?

  1. Read the books “A History of Western Philosophy” by Bertrand Russell or “The Story of Philosophy” by Will Durant. ...
  2. Listen to bite-sized audio courses on Listenable. ...
  3. Take bite-sized courses on philosophy on Highbrow. ...
  4. Use Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Can you learn philosophy on your own?

Self-learning has many advantages: It is more affordable. You don't have to pay the full tuition for a conventional degree in philosophy, but you can still follow the curriculum of most top universities from any part of the world. You can learn at your own pace .

How can you define philosophy?

Quite literally, the term “philosophy” means, “love of wisdom.” In a broad sense, philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to each other .

Is philosophy hard to study?

Readings for philosophy courses are generally not long, but they are difficult and challenging . You cannot expect to go through an assigned reading once and have an adequate grasp of it. Some students seem to thrive on the painstaking required, while others simply don't have the patience for it.

What is philosophy in simple words?

1 : the study of the basic ideas about knowledge, right and wrong, reasoning, and the value of things . 2 : a specific set of ideas of a person or a group Greek philosophy. 3 : a set of ideas about how to do something or how to live Live and let live—that's my philosophy.

What are the 4 types of philosophy?

The four main branches of philosophy are metaphysics, epistemology, axiology, and logic .

What is the main subject of philosophy?

Philosophy is the study of thought concerning nature, metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, being, knowledge, logic, and all manner of theory . “Philosophy” comes from Greek words meaning “love of wisdom.” Philosophy uses the tools of logic and reason to analyze the ways in which humans experience the world.

What are the types of philosophy?

  • Metaphysics.
  • Hermeneutics.
  • Epistemology.
  • Ethics.

Who is the father of philosophy?

Socrates is known as the “Father of Western Philosophy.

Who is the first philosopher?

The first philosopher is usually said to have been Thales .

Who are the philosophers?

  • Thomas Aquinas.
  • Aristotle.
  • Confucius.
  • René Descartes.
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson.
  • Michel Foucault.
  • David Hume.
  • Immanuel Kant.
Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.