Who recommends it
- Philosophy Books for BeginnersReading list
A list of the best philosophy books for beginners might be expected to include contemporary texts that are designed precisely as introductions to the subject. And indeed there are plenty of excellent texts of that kind. But I have included two classics on my list. This is because I believe that, when a great…
- MM McCabeInterview
There is only one way, I think, to be introduced to philosophy — that is to do it. So I rather avoid ‘introduction to philosophy’ books if someone asks me this kind of question: far better to find something engaging and learn on that what I described the long and slow process of reading and thinking and going back and…
- Adrian MooreInterview
It is a good idea to look at some of the more accessible classics, like Meditations by Descartes or Meno by Plato. Any history of philosophy is always liable to act as a good introduction too. One further piece of advice that I would give would be not to worry about quantity. It is far better to read a small amount…
- Peter WorleyInterview
It’s not so much about what you read, it’s about how you think. For this reason, I prefer anything that models thinking methods. Read Meditations by Descartes, many of the dialogues of Plato (especially Republic, Meno, Gorgias, Protagoras, Euthyphro, Apology, Phaedo), Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect by…
Often recommended alongside
The Republic
The Problems of Philosophy
MeditationsMore books by Plato our guests recommend
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