books etc.
2006-12-13 03:16:47 · 12 answers · asked by Meeowf 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
*not only can't i afford to go to colledge for it but i dont care on starting a career or nothing with it. i am just self-absorbed and obsessed with making myself a better person and to understand the world around me.
2006-12-13 03:25:53 · update #1
1. read large number of books on philosophy.
2.take care to read books of different authors.
3. take care also to read books from different religions ,countries ,cultures.
this way you will be getting a good grip on the subject.
2006-12-13 03:23:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read books by top philosophers.
It is more or less generally agreed that the best first book on philslphy is still Bertrand Russell's "The Problems of Philosophy". Apart from being an introductory text this acutally says some important things at any level of philasophy. Another short introdution by a leading philosopher is Thomas Nagel's "Whati does it all mean?" .
You should then read major works by classic philosophers. You will certainly need to read Plato and Aristotle (particularly Plato's "The republic" and Aristotle's "Etnics") if you take philosophy far, but I would not start there. Instead I would suggest David Hume's "An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding" and Mill's "Utilitarianism".
The Oxford University Press series "A very short introduction to..." has cheap, easily readable and invariably good books on topics in philosophy, and indeed many other subjects. If you read a book by a major philosopher a guide to the philosopher from this series will greatly help you. For instance, the one on Hume is by the late Sir Alfred ("Freddie") Ayer, and is more or less a classic in its own right.
Apart from reading, you need to develop your philosophical skills through discussion and debate. Philosophy is not just to absorb through reading but to learn by doing. The aesiest and comonest way to do this is to sign up for a philosophy degree or other course.
Happy philosophising!
2006-12-13 11:39:05 · answer #2 · answered by Philosophical Fred 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
voracious reading and studying of course is the usual way to gain knowledge. But now a days you can get DVDs/movies explaining a lot as well (but still not enough as in reading materials) Start with a "101" class in Philosophy at your school (or local Community College if you are not a current student). That will give you an idea of where your interests lie in this vast area. Then after determining which area most interests you, you focus on materials there. Interested in New Age philosophy? Start with hayhouseradio.com They have radio programs on going and in their archives from past programs as well as info on the books and other materials by the many masters that are there.
2006-12-13 11:28:44 · answer #3 · answered by Greanwitch 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check out The Philosopher's Magazine Online. It is an inexpensive place to absorb some philosophical knowledge. If you go to the Philosophy Cafe link on that page, you can breeze through "bite-sized" chunks of philosophical thought. There are also games you can play that test your philosophical opinions.
2006-12-13 12:58:25 · answer #4 · answered by Dreaux~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well lets start by defining our terms. How can you be "self-absorbed" and still want to learn and be interested in the world around you? Isn't that the opposite of Self absorbed? But if you really want to learn Philosophy my suggestion is to read the Copelston history series. Great work.
2006-12-13 12:15:01 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've found the best way to teach philosophy was to put the students head in a forty five gallon barrel of water and beat the sides with a bat till they were satisfied they had learned enough. If You want a kinder way to learn cartoons are good too!
2006-12-13 13:41:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out books from your local library on Philosophers. But it helps more if you could take a few classes just to study them. You need to study them like art, by the period, so you can understand where the thought came from, and the historical perspectives that surround them.
2006-12-13 13:06:53 · answer #7 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The complete Idiots Guide to Philosophy
(available at Barnes&Noble!)
2006-12-13 12:15:02 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start going to your nearest American Legion every night around 12:30.
2006-12-13 11:43:22 · answer #9 · answered by neurotic one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read, or take a college coarse. I would go with Phoscratees and Plato to start with. Once you understand you can move to more advanced writing.
2006-12-13 11:22:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋