Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#11

Post by randxx » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 6:57 AM UTC

SHOwnsYou wrote: post #3

If you enjoy debating philosophy (especially value based/govt philosophy), Liberalism and the Limits of Justice by Michael Sandel builds up and absolutely destroys around 10 of the most common premises for these types of debates. A hundred other issues are dealt with along the way and this will change the way you think about this type of philosophy.

since reading "buddhism without beliefs", i've kind of lost interest in these things. which is, indeed, a recommendation.

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#12

Post by halojones » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 6:59 AM UTC

"The Bible", "Notes From Underground" (Dostoevsky)

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#13

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 6:59 AM UTC

SHOwnsYou wrote: post #3

If you enjoy debating philosophy (especially value based/govt philosophy), Liberalism and the Limits of Justice by Michael Sandel builds up and absolutely destroys around 10 of the most common premises for these types of debates. A hundred other issues are dealt with along the way and this will change the way you think about this type of philosophy.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#14

Post by SHOwnsYou » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 7:03 AM UTC

randxx wrote: post #11

SHOwnsYou wrote: post #3

If you enjoy debating philosophy (especially value based/govt philosophy), Liberalism and the Limits of Justice by Michael Sandel builds up and absolutely destroys around 10 of the most common premises for these types of debates. A hundred other issues are dealt with along the way and this will change the way you think about this type of philosophy.

since reading "buddhism without beliefs", i've kind of lost interest in these things. which is, indeed, a recommendation.

I couldn't agree more about the frivolity of these debates, but judging from what he listed I figured govt/value debates might be somewhat frequent (especially since he is reading Common Sense for school).

On the other hand, not taking part in the debates can be bad for you also. The debating process allows you to expose your ideas to the light of free discussion and allows you to exchange error for truth (JSM). Even if you aren't debating people with a clue on the topic, the debate and your subsequent internal dialog will be beneficial.

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#15

Post by avdempsey » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 7:09 AM UTC

Check out Charles S. Peirce, American father of pragmaticism (not pragmatism). Two essays, 'The Fixation of Belief' and 'How to Make Our Ideas Clear' are particularly inspiring. Google 'peirce how to make our ideas clear', it's number one.

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#16

Post by vlorch » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 7:11 AM UTC

being and time - Martin Heidegger

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#17

Post by ulvund » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 7:12 AM UTC

I would not recommend any compilations of philosophy. The great thing about philosophy is reading the rationales and the results, not only the results.

"Ricard+Revel - The Monk and the Philosopher" http://www.amazon.com/Monk-Philosopher-Father-Discuss-Meanin...

"Socrates(/Plato) - The Allegory of the Cave" http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/allegory.html

"Plato(/Socrates/others) - Symposium" http://www.amazon.com/Symposium-Plato/dp/0872200760

"Bertrand Russell - The Conquest of Happiness" http://www.amazon.com/Conquest-Happiness-Bertrand-Russell/dp...

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#18

Post by rick_2047 » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 7:13 AM UTC

Wow, I was fiddling with the idea of posting exactly that question (with Philosophy in the title) but was hesitant as to is this the right community (btw where can I find one?)

I haven't read many books about philosophy but my main interest is Philosophy of mind and I just love the lectures here[1].

[1]http://webcast.berkeley.edu/course_details_new.php?seriesid=...

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#19

Post by ganjianwei » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 7:16 AM UTC

I really enjoyed Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. It's not quite a philosophy book but I found his take on the concept of 'quality' very useful. To me it's a story of how a westerner discovers eastern philosophy, which is great to read coming from a western perspective.

Re: Ask HN: Best Philosophical Books?

#20

Post by anonman1 » Sat, Jul 10, 2010, 7:18 AM UTC

"History of Sexuality: Volume I" -Michel Foucault

"Discipline and Punish" -Michel Foucault

"Philosophy in the Flesh" -George Lakoff

"Metaphors We Live By" -George Lakoff

"Civilization and its Discontents" -Sigmund Freud

These books allowed me to look at reality in a completely different manner.