What's a good beginner philosopher to start out with?

Question

I want to read some philosophy but the likes of Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzche are just getting too tedious for the time being. I need someone like Douglas Adams or Hunter S. Thompson, but I've read most of their works. Plus they weren't really philosophers per se.

So is there anything out that's a little linguistically easier to grasp, and possibly has some humorous add-ons?

Answer 1

If you don't mind Monty Python, try 'Monty Python and Philosophy'. I saw it the other day, and has lots of answers to questions about Monty Python (e.g 'Is the parrot really dead?') that are answered by fans and philosophers alike.

The book undoubtedly has funny parts in it, but like almost all philosophy, it can get a bit deep at times- it depends on how seriously you take it!

The full title is one of the best I've ever seen;

"Monty Python and Philosophy; Nudge, Nudge, Think Think!"

There are several different versions involving popular culture, such as the Simpsons, James Bond, and the Lord of The Rings to name a few, if Python isn't your type. Amazon lists a fair number- I've flicked through the Python one and found it to be quite interesting- and i don't like studying philosophy!!

Answer 2

You should start with Plato's Apology. The philosophical content is worthwhile and instructive, the story is one of the great tradgedies in history, and Socrates' humor, while subtle (it helps to read it in the Greek and to know a decent amount about ancient Greek history), is definately good stuff.

Another Philosopher to begin with is Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy. Fairly accessible, the arguments are pretty straightforward, yet philosophically interesting and rigorous.

Finally, if these two guys don't apeal to you, you can try Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy (but be prepared for Neoplatonism), which is a fantastic read (especialy in the Latin), or Hume's Enquiry or Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.

After those two, you might consider getting a good secondary source book on the history of philosophy to help you out. Anthony Kenny has just put out a new History of Philosophy in three volumes. Bryan Magee has a good intro book, as does Roger Scruton; and Copleston's 9 volume History of Philosophy is still one of the best ever written.

The works of Douglas Adams and Hunter Thompson are definately not philosophy; neither is oliver Weddall Holmes, despite their virtues. And Kant and Nietzche are not good people to begin with. Kant because he's just so damn hard, and Nietzche because he's just too aphoristic and rhetorical and an understanding of where he's coming from requires a solid grounding of Plato up to Kant.

Answer 3

Maybe you can try to read a book on the history of philosophy. Even a short one, just to get an overview of all the different ideas/schools, and then choose which one you like the most and start with that one.

Don't start with "Philosophy for Dummies", which is what I did. I thought it would give me an outline of the different philosophies; it turned out to be a hard-core Christian (ok, I'm exagerating; but it was biased) book.

Answer 4

Oliver Wendell Holmes

http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/oliver_wendell_holmes/

Answer 5

I think you will enjoy Albert Cumus.

If not just his literary works, then his premise that underlies the philosophy of "existentialism".

It is a philosophy that fits in anywhere and is seldom given the recognition it so richly deserves.

Also, as a counterpoint, you might enjoy a bit of research into the realms of formal logic - and fallacies & rhetoric.

If you understand existentialism, good solid logic, and invalid arguments/conclusions - then you know 3 of the most important tools for thinking/communicating effectively that there are.

Answer 6

Read Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins. Also, Plato's cave or The Apology.

Answer 7

Plato. The works of this ancient Greek philosopher include subjects such as metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, politics and social issues. He was believed to have been a student of Socrates. It was Plato who first discussed the subject of Atlantis in two dialogues: "Timaeus" and "Criteas."

Answer 8

Good gravy! What happened to the likes of Jacques Maritain and Gabriel Marcel?
I wish college philosophy was not so narrow!

Answer 9

Descartes, father of modern philosophy and his ideas are a little bit easier to understand than Kant and other contemporary philosopher.

Answer 10

Boethius