If you are an Astronaut traveling solo to & from Mars w/time to read which 2bks in philosophy would you take?

Question

& why did you pick them?

Assume the rountrip space voyage would take 1 and 1/2 years and you are there only to handle emergency problems and you don't expect any. Besides you have all the operating and repair manuals you could ever need already on computer and you can communicate with space command.whenever you like. Assume you like to study and think about philosophical problems and philosophical theories.

note This is a 2 part Q in philosophy and I am particularily interested in the explanation or criteria for your picks.

Answer 1

The Pensées, by Blaise Pascal. - The thoughts are not overly complex, but still extremely deep. Pascal was a very original thinker with a challenging view on almost every issue. So whether I'd end up agreeing with him or not, he'd certainly give me food for thought.

The Tao Te King by Lao Tseu - If there's ever a place where you can think of the Universal Tao, space is it. The Tao Te King speaks of everything. So even in the absence of society, it would give me plenty of things to meditate about while I was in space.

I'd also be tempted to bring the Hitchicker's Guide to the Galaxy, but you said only 2.

Answer 2

Most philosophers have suffered from depression. Adopting their thinking and their philosophies has the probability of creating the same state in those who follow their work.

I wouldn't choose something other than philosophy for the journey.

In terms of manging a lengthy space journey, Buddhist texts would provide a philosophical base plus practical skills on dealing with the prolonged isolation.

If I liked to think and solve philosophical problems, I wouldn't bring texts, I would write them.

Answer 3

"Assume you like to study and think about philosophical problems and philosophical theories. "

i dont have to assume it, i do like it.

1) How to Win Every Argument - The Use and Abuse of Logic by Madsen Pirie
this book takes a look at the fallacies commonly and not-so-commonly used in arguments, makes examples of them, sometimes listing dilemmas and paradoxes, and how to counter them. very interesting, even for someone not into philosophy and logic, this is a good book.

2) Arugment - Critical Thinking, Logic and the Fallacies by John Woods, Andrew Irvine, and Douglas Walton
This book is more of logic and critical thinking to solve the fallacies, and it looks at some paradoxes and dilemmas as well.

Answer 4

Easy -

The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

The newest, most up to date University Physics text book

Answer 5

i would take "fight club' cause there is all kinds of philosophy in that book and i would also take dante's "inferno" cause it puts you in a state of thinking and wonder