What books do you recommend for someone new to Philosophy?

Question

I've picked up Descartes, some Nietzsche and some books on Existentialism.
What can you please recommend?

...Nothing too hard please :l ...

to Tbone:
What do you mean by that?

Answer 1

Tao Te Ching. Begin there.

Answer 2

Well, I have a few suggestions:

1. "The Story of Philosophy" by Will Durant.

Basically, it is a rundown of all thew major philosophers and their schools of thought. It's easy and entertaining to get
through, and very thorough. It's generally noted as being one of the most respected and comprehensible introduction to philosophy. If you start with this, it may lead you to some of the philosophers who intrigue you the most.

2. "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder

Now this is a novel written with a high school audience in mind. But if you are brand new to philosophy, I do recommend it. It's the history of philosophy in novel form and, again, it will likely direct you to the philosophers who most interest you for further reading.

3. "The Republic" by Plato

This is, next to the Bible, one of the most widely read books--every educated person has read it. It is written in dialog form and is fairly *easy* in terms of its written style. It also covers a lot of ground by discussing many different issues. Arguably, much of contemporary philosophy has taken its impetus from Plato.

4. I also recommend Bertrand Russel's "The History of Western Philosophy."

You can go to Amazon.com and check out these books, and some of the comments people have written about them if you want more information. You can do the same for all the books here.

See where these titles lead you.

Answer 3

Believe it or not, there are philosophers who can write clearly. Nietzsche might not be the best place to start.

Some of the most readable philosophy was written in the 19th century by the Transcendentalist, Ralph Waldo Emerson. I recommend his First Ten Essays. They are easy to find in paperback, in used bookstores.

I read Emerson when I'm down. His essay, "The Oversoul" is, to me, better than a bottle of whiskey and several years of therapy.

Theodore Adorno of the Franfurt School has written many interesting critiques of mass culture. I don't know whether you're interested in mass culture, specifically, but his writing is, for a philosopher, unusually clear.

Foucault, a cultural critic, writes well.

Answer 4

The Elements of Moral Philosophy by James Rachels

It tackles some perplexing issues in a very user friendly way, while still providing profound answers given by our most noted philosophers.

It is the book that initially got me interested in philosophy as a major and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who's just starting out in the subject.

Answer 5

I agree with Patois start with the Tao Te Ching, to get the other side of that coin (the Yang as opposed to the Yin) try The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Both of these books are simple on their surface. If you look deeper you could spend years getting the full meaning. Philosophy is sneaky that way; kind of like an "Uncarved Block."

Answer 6

A book novel entitled Sophies' World by Jostein Gaarder. This is highly recommended for those to be introduced new to Philosophy. A perfect book for a simple introduction on philosophy. Please, this will not fail you. I assure you very much that you will not regret buying this novel book.

Answer 7

David Hume

Answer 8

Bertrand Russell's History of Western Philosophy - a must read.

Answer 9

I think TBONE meant that philosophy is every where. Its just questions that most people overlook.

Answer 10

read some Louis L'Amour, he is a great philosopher, through his characters, fun read as well.