The Beginning: Philosophy Forums

The Beginning
A little help for the youngster.

Page: 1 2

The Beginning

A Clockwork Orange
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 30, 2009

Total Topics: 5
Total Posts: 11

Posted 09/30/09 - 07:39 PM: Subject: The Beginning	#1
Hello everyone. This would be my first post. I would like to give a little intro before I get to my question. I am a lover of philosophy, I know that might seem repetitive. I am 17 years old, and therefore I am full of questions and empty in currency. I am now wanting to purchase my books for various reasons. I however do not know where to start. Or what would be a smart buy. I am very much into existentialism. I know that does not help very much since that existentialism can be interpreted in many ways in the details. I am a huge fan of Descartes. I guess you could say I just want to learn. Right now I am reading Plato's Republic and The Brothers Karamazov. If anyone could suggest some books, not novels that would be greatly appreciated. Respectfully, Kaz Edited by unenlightened on 10/01/09 - 06:32 PM. Reason: capitals
Cogito ergo sum

Tiger Singleton
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 30, 2009
Location: Southern Oregon

Total Topics: 1
Total Posts: 10

Posted 09/30/09 - 07:49 PM:	#2
Kas. Welcome and greetings. I too am new to this forum. Where to start...? "Now" would be a good place. What is it you are attempting to discover? Why the interest?
Daily Insight for the Soul... www.PawUpClose.net - home of PAW Daily

A Clockwork Orange
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 30, 2009

Total Topics: 5
Total Posts: 11

Posted 09/30/09 - 07:56 PM:	#3
If I were to say I know what I want to discover I would be lying. I do not know. The best answer is I want to discover, learn, interpret, listen, read more. And since I have to be very careful on how I spend my money, I would like to know what would be the most bang for my buck. Respectfully, Kaz Edited by unenlightened on 10/01/09 - 06:34 PM. Reason: capitals
Cogito ergo sum

jsidelko
Assistant Professor

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Jun 08, 2009

Total Topics: 30
Total Posts: 264

Posted 09/30/09 - 07:56 PM:	#4
Type "philosophy" into Google and you will find tons of resources on the internet. The Stanford and Internet encyclopedias are important resources.
thanatos

A Clockwork Orange
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 30, 2009

Total Topics: 5
Total Posts: 11

Posted 09/30/09 - 08:04 PM:	#5
Thanks i have already been doing that. Respectfully, Kaz
Cogito ergo sum

liquid knowledge
confused certainty

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 30, 2009

Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 2

Posted 09/30/09 - 08:23 PM:	#6
Hi Kaz, I am new to this forum as well, and therefore can understand your reasoning. It really depends on what you are looking for, in my opinion. If you are just wanting to learn, like I, then I would suggest starting with essays/books from the famous philosphers/philosophies, and exploring which ever one piques your interest. Just a few I can think of off the top of my head would be Nietzsche, Aristotle, Emerson (a personal favorite), Socrates, Plato, etc. I am definently no expert on anything philosophy though. Again, attempting to gain knowledge like you. Welcome to the forum (though you've probably been here longer than I ) lk
"Be like water; able to be murky and confusing, as well as translucent and clear - a fountain of death, and a fountain of life."

A Clockwork Orange
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 30, 2009

Total Topics: 5
Total Posts: 11

Posted 09/30/09 - 08:28 PM:	#7
Thanks for the input. I am already doing that. What I am inquiring about are specific books that will give the most information. Certain "must haves" are what I am asking about. Edited by Incision on 10/01/09 - 05:48 PM. Reason: capitalization
Cogito ergo sum

mark73
Student

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 22, 2009

Total Topics: 15
Total Posts: 86

Posted 09/30/09 - 08:49 PM:	#8
A great writer and philosopher would be David Hume. Read his "an enquiry Concerning Human Understanding". One of the great works of philosophy. Also George Berkeley who preceded him. Read his "A treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge". These works are read by All philosophy students and are exceptionably well written. Kant's critique of reason is exceptionally important and difficult to read. His preface is quite readable however. Also read "The Passion of the Western Mind". The best history of western philosophy ive ever read. Since you like Descartes you might find the entire era of "modern philosophy" interesting. Up to Kant they all tackled directly with the new problems that Descartes raised, although Kant like Descartes was a sort of new beginning to Philosophy.

A Clockwork Orange
Initiate

Usergroup: Members
Joined: Sep 30, 2009

Total Topics: 5
Total Posts: 11

Posted 09/30/09 - 08:56 PM:	#9
Thank you very much for the help. I believe I have the books I will read after Plato's Republic, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Stranger. Respectfully, Kaz Edited by Incision on 10/01/09 - 05:47 PM. Reason: capitalization, italics
Cogito ergo sum

sheps
Assistant Professor

Usergroup: Sponsors
Joined: Dec 15, 2008
Location: United Kingdom

Total Topics: 20
Total Posts: 427

Posted 10/01/09 - 04:18 AM:	#10
I always find that its great to look round second hand bookshops for philosophical texts - they're cheaper there, and you'll find a lot, especially if you enjoy the Ancient Greek or Roman stuff. I've got almost all the Platonic dialogues from various old bookstores for very little money, as people tend to sell them to these shops for virtually nothing because they're so specialised. Anything 20th century is tough to find there, though. Hope that helps.
The Midnight Sun Never Sets.

Page: 1 2

Sorry, you don't have permission to post. Log in, or register if you haven't yet.