how should i start learning philosophy?

Question

are there any good books i can read?

Answer 1

Philosophy isn't a body of knowledge (or, it isn't primarily), it is a process; and to learn it you need to take part in the process. You learn it by doing it.

You do not need to start with logic - but you should include a book on reasoning (a broader topic than logic, which is very much like math).

Pick a philosophy question (not from Yahoo Answers, a lot of the 'philosophy' questions asked here are not philosophy questions), and try to answer it yourself. Then discuss it with someone else - preferably someone who is also learning philosophy. Then read up on the history of answers to the question. Always be critical of answers - but have good reasons for your criticisms - and always consider what both questions and answers pre-suppose. Questions are as open to criticism as answers are.

Answer 2

if you are a college student you wouldn't have asked this question. For your wisdom and knowledge and not for the sake of intellect, you want to learn philosophy. Books, famous philosophers/ writers and library, articles and research-- all these I wouln't do because Im not a student (no assignments) Personal gain and that wisdom and knowledge, that fulfillment-- you will find good philosophy in christian books. Invest $100 and read away all summer long. At home, at the lake, park, on a stone bench, starbucks wherever read the right books. goto christianbook.com If you're not a christian, nothing more I can say. Then turn your life around, let God do that for you if you know what I mean. if you want recommendation on such books, jamespar19+emailyaho This is a great question

Answer 3

It feels like what you want is an introduction to the problem of philosophy at great. pay attention: there are one of those branches of philosophy, and that is consumer-friendly to get puzzled by way of their topics, which could lie very close jointly. for a lot of those branches, there is many, many properly-known papers and books which usually argue for one part or yet another on some problem contained in the given branch. So what you want may no longer be the unique philosophers to commence with, yet an genuinely academic textbook: one which will introduce the needed approaches of philosophical analyze, a thanks to distinguish the branches of study, and who to study for further ideas about certain questions or arguments. To this end, i'd propose Philosophy in practice by Adam Morton. i have coated a link to this e book below. -edit- ...each individual right here has their personal concepts about what you'd be doing. it is your first lesson.

Answer 4

The real question is why do you want to learn Philosophy? That is, do you need it?

You should start with socrates. Kierkegaard said that in philosophy no one went further than socrates.

However, if you are in "need" I would recommend Simone Weil "La pesanteur et la grace". Very good practical guide for dynamics of the "soul".

Answer 5

It would depend on whether you wish to learn a specific branch of philosopy, Existentialism, for example, or just the concept of philosophy as a whole. For the latter, it would be best to include some history as well, as the styles of philosophy created tend to draw heavily on the society and events of the time. For the former, it would be best to find the names of those who are considered essential to that movement and read their works.

Answer 6

Pick up a philosophy for dummies book. It will have the basics. Then if you like what you've read you can either enroll in a university class or pick one of the philosophers you liked and read his (her) books.

Answer 7

Live.

And while you do that, question your actions & choices. Later, after you have started assesing your character, begin reading. If you start with the reading and study, the books will shape you before you get the chance to figure out your own point of view.

Answer 8

You need to take an intro course. Philosophy is sooooo broad a topic and there are so many different theories that you need to explore all of them in order to decide for yourself which one fits you best.

Answer 9

Start reading about Plato, Socrates, it's a very complicated subject to me. Good Luck!

Answer 10

You already know philosophy because you ask questions.