Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with books and philosophy

Help me orient my brain for the purpose of reading Sartre?

notquitemaryann — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:20:31 -0800

They shouldn't let people like me attend used book sales, but now that the damage is done: how and where to begin reading Sartre? I've realized lately that I have accumulated a fair amount of Sartre's writings and could probably make up the remainder among the libraries I frequent. But apart from reading The Age of Reason ten years ago, I've never made an attempt to explore his contributions to philosophy (or actually that of any 20th-century philosopher apart from a little Wittgenstein, an anomaly that I haven't approached all that well and am shelving for the moment). This is mostly because I've never felt myself to be in the proper mindset, and while that seems to be changing slowly, I feel unprepared to begin and lost as to how to prepare. Off the internet, I read very little serious contemporary writing, and spend the majority of my reading time in the head of people who died before 1900; 1650 (in Europe, anyway) is less foreign to me than 1950- this applies to art, music, politics, etc. as well, so that my ability to contextualize, which has been extremely important in my reading of other philosophers, is not there. So, I have a bit of work to do before I charge in like a complete idiot. I'm hoping you can tell me:
1) What non-Sartre things ought to be read first, or at the same time, in order to have the right references and to grasp most thoroughly his books in general, or individually?
2) If not chronologically, in what order could he be read for the best understanding? What have you found most personally rewarding?
Any other advice (apart from exhortations to dive in without any preparation) also appreciated. I do plan on looking into the usefully-named How to Read Sartre, but want and need whatever help I can find. Thanks!

Your favorite interesting, specific question in philosophy

k. — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:54:11 -0800

Philosophy Filter: What are some fresh and interesting questions or topics in philosophy? I don't know if there are many philosophy nerds on MetaFilter (at least relative to other kinds of nerds), but I thought I'd give this a shot. I'm looking for topics that you wouldn't necessarily learn about in the usual undergraduate philosophy courses. I'd prefer these to be pretty specific, like these examples:

1. The "philosophy of information", which covers both the application of methods and ideas from computer science to philosophy and philosophical issues about what information is (especially in the work of Luciano Floridi)

2. Attacks on virtue ethics based on psychologists' claims that human character traits are much less stable than we think (summarized in e.g. the recent popular book Experiments in Ethics by K. Anthony Appiah)

More like these please! Really, any issue in philosophy that you find interesting would help. Bonus points for relevance to any timely issues outside of philosophy (in politics/society, science, etc).

I want to read your exciting and much loved philosophers!

tumples — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:33:15 -0800

I need your suggestions for interesting, exciting and thought provoking philosophy for me to read this summer! I am a history student who is going to be spending a month between June/July this year camping with friends in (mostly) Amsterdam, and I want to use this month of absolved responsibility and days of not much to do to finally delve into some philosophy. I have no experience or background in anything philosophy related, besides knowing the one line summaries of the enlightenment thinkers. However, I am not after an introduction or a philosophy 101; instead of starting in some kind of chronological order or having to read the classics I want to read the exciting philosophy that easily provokes you to just sit and ponder the ins and outs of life and the universe. Philosophy that would lead to interesting talking points with my friends on the trip would be a great bonus.

So let me know your tips, recommendations and favourite works that you think suits my criteria.

Thanks!

Readers, Psychologist, Philosophers or Writers Please, How not to get confused and feel unsetteled after reading different books and Theories?

zulonline — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:16:38 -0800

Readers, Psychologist, Philosophers or Writers Please, How not to get confused and feel unsetteled after reading different books and Theories? I love reading and specially books related with self improvement, mainly as my last experiences shattered my self esteem and fostered a hunger to gain attention, ( see my former treads)

After the last storm ,I made a plan to follow in order to move on with my life, which also provided me a place within the society where I live (London) and never again feel inadequate or be treated poorly or inferior.

My plan included to get as much knowledge about several Subjects , follow my career plans to get a salary which would provide my parents the comfort they much need.

However, after reading books of co-dependency, biographies, inner self improvement, getting psychology treatment and counselling to resolve issues of my last relationship and childhood traumas, recently reading books of Philosophy about the art of living, I feel somehow that my former plans doesn't appeal to me anymore..

I felt identified a lot with the book ( Status Anxiety)from Alain de Bottom ( Philosophy ) which I am reading and now I feel that I should start a new career path related with Art instead of health care which generate co-dependence ( as for the book co-dependence ) Art which would suit more my vision of life without getting attached to people as much, but what about my career plans related with health care which I am about to conclude ? I won't be able to help my parents now when they more need if I decide to pursuit a new career, and I am not too sure if I am thinking like this just because the reading of the diff books have influenced my deeper traumas!

This morning I woke up feeling quite anxious about what to do with my life now, when before reading all these books, I was content and confident following my plans of getting up very early to study so to be able to register my career, taking diff courses to improve my knowledge, so to be able to feel kind of average within the society I live with, and thinking that having my new salary would change the circumstances of my parents were my drive, but now, with all this reading and books and theories I feel that getting money is not as important as not what others think about me, but withouth my plans which were supporting me trough this diff stage in my life I feel again lost and without direction.

Is not easy to leave my job and leave everything I've started and invested so far to get to the peak, and also it is not exaclty clear for me what I would do instead taking a path in Art as I am not quite Art talented, but what it is clear is that all the philosophy I read in the book of Status Anxiety appeals completely to me..

Seems to be that everything I read influence in a great scale my decisions, thinking and behaviour. Is that normal?

People sometime based their toughts from what they read, I know I should get my own conclusions, but what to do when one feels identified completely with the insight of a book ?

When I was at school and Uni I used to read about different subjects without feeling confused, why this is happening now?

Thank you for your suggestions.

New theories of Mimesis (in digital/hypertextual/hypermedial cultures)

0bvious — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:09:48 -0800

I am looking for writings on mimesis in regards new, digital, hypertext and hypermedial technologies and cultures. I am following the redefinition of mimesis. From Plato's disregard of oral culture, through his mimesis of Socrates' dialogues in writing. Following Plato, Aristotle's theory was always a written mimesis, thus the order and processes of representation and mimicry were fundamentally written.

In essence, I am interested in how the artefacts of oral culture differed in their mimesis to written culture, and thus, how our modern move from a written to a digital/hypertextual culture will similarly impact on mimetic embodiment.

(I am also concerned with the terms 'digital' and 'hypertextual' - perhaps they are too narrow. Oral, written cultures and then XXXXX? The terms 'Cybertext' and 'Ergodic' do not seem to cover the ground wide enough.)

I have been reading Marshall McLuhan, Jacques Derrida, Paul de Man and Gunter Gebauer's and Christoph Wulf's Mimesis: Culture--Art--Society. I am looking for writings on digital, hypertextual mimesis, and how it differs, how it has altered, the theoretical embodiment of representation in thought, artefacts, language and culture.

Your help, ideas and advice are much appreciated, as always

I want to be smart so I can write clever Askme Headlines

Bageena — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:45:34 -0800

What are some easy, relatively quick ways to learn to write better, think clearer, and express myself better? There are a thousand reasons that I'd like to learn more about everything, not that anyone should need a reason to want that. Basically, when I'm writing on Mefi or on my blog, I keep finding myself grasping for words to express myself and coming up short. I know my grammer stinks as well. I want books, movies, and other means and mediums by which I can raise my intelligence quota a little. I'm interested in not just learning to write better, but learning to think clearer, argue my beliefs and values better, and feel more enlightened all-around. Extra points for pointing the way to free and/or 'fun' (ie: Nintendo DS games) paths to enlightenment.

The Books & Mortar of Libertarianism

dead_ — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:49:17 -0800

Which books comprise the canon of libertarian philosophy? I'm looking for titles, authors and links. I hope this isn't too broad. Thank you for your help!

The phenomenology of text

0bvious — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:21:33 -0800

The phenomenology / ontology of text: has anyone examined this issue directly in philosophical, literary and/or critical terms? I am interested in the experience and perception of text, both within readership and on an abstract (more holistic level perhaps) as the archetypical mediator and virtual-archive of human culture. I wish to explore it via its mediums (e.g. book, computer screen), its modes (e.g. semiotics, translation) and its means (e.g. poetry, fiction, encryption).

I came at this problem through Heidegger (most specifically in his re-appropriation of the term 'techné'), looking at text as a technology.

I have since come upon the writings of D.C. Greetham and a couple of other bits and pieces.

I feel that this is an area not much covered by the critical fields, especially in these times of ever encompassing digital/web-based mediums. I'm interested in following through some of this to a PhD proposal.

What paths should I be taking?

Your help, as always, is much appreciated.

How Things 'Become': The Infinity of Definition

0bvious — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:18:41 -0800

I am looking for writings on the infinity of definition. I am interested in the exponentially divergent curve that is definition.

We create writings and art to better define the world, yet true definition is infinite.

We mediate the universe by erecting borders of definition, i.e. all striped, four-legged, hooved mammals are probably zebras. We categorise the universe into hierarchies, but the more we examine the more pronounced and expansive these hierarchies become.

Language is our greatest defining tool. Yet, the metaphors we evolve to expand the potential of language can themselves only be made to refer back to the language which created them. An infinite loop emerges in most definition.

As new technology emerges we use it to 'add' meaning to artifacts which are already partly defined. By looking at the world with ever more refined microscopes we bring reality into greater clarity. This metaphor can be expanded to refer to texts, art, archaeology, culture etc.

Who has written on the problem of definition? What critical theory has been written on the emergence of infinity?

This question adds on to past questions I have asked at MeFi including (in reverse order):

- Art and artifacts experienced through technology
- The mimetic and narrative capacities of artefacts
- Examples of 'The Infinite' in Myth and Their Effect on Conditions of Truth

Here's hoping you have some ideas...

Philsosophy book with King Lear in the intro?

etoyasu — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:03:18 -0800

Philosophy book that mentions King Lear in the introduction? Some years ago, I came across a book on philosophy in a Borders. Reading the introduction, I remember the author mentioning King Lear and Regan, one of Lear's three daughters.

For the life of me I have no idea what the book's title was. I remember finding it rather interesting, but I forgot why I found it interesting.

Philosophical bookworms, please help me!

Links Regarding Not Fully Reading, or Misreading, Philosophy Books?

Gnostic Novelist — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:17:55 -0800

I'm looking for links to anecdotes, discussions, quotes, etc., anything dealing with not reading philosophy texts all the way through or misreading philosophy texts. This link to Maverick Philosoher's Blog shows the type of thing I am looking for. It was actually this thread that got me wondering where I could collect more known examples:

Surviving a Total Perspective Vortex

0bvious — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 08:39:35 -0800

I'm on the hunt for sites and/or blogs about big ideas... Who wants to join me? I am interested in the nature of the human, the self, consciousness, space-time and infinity, the future, cultural evolution, the emergence and destruction of civilisation, physics, biology, technology, science fiction, this self perceiving universe, the narrative, the protagonist, belief, faith and the Gods, mathematics, language, truth, semiotics, theory of mind, theory of relativity, philosophy, transhumanism, the base of humour, of love, of art, of literature, chemistry, the stars and how they shine, justice, anger, naivety, pop-culture, culture shock, poetry, evolution, devolution, darwinism vs subjectivity, how to and how not to, how it is, how it could have been, perspectives of 'the idea', how the perspective shifts, surviving a total perspective vortex....

I want to find people who find these things interesting too, I want them to come over and chat liberally with me, with my like-minded associates, with other web-portal psychonauts.

Apart from Metafilter where do you get your intellectual, mind exploding fix? Where should I begin my search for new minds to meld with?

Good grief, Metafilter.

moonshine — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 22:23:42 -0800

Are there any books out there that talk about the philosophy of Charlie Brown? I'm looking for books or essays (digital or paper) that discuss the "philosophy" of Charlie Brown and or the Peanuts gang. I've been looking for CB versions of The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet but no luck.

I found The Gospel according to Peanuts but that's not what I'm looking for. I'm not interested in a CB spin on christianity, but maybe Charlie Brown and life. Or maybe Charlie Brown deconstructed.

I haven't been able to find anything: serious, silly, or otherwise.

Introduction to Wittgenstein's Tractatus

davar — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 14:11:13 -0800

I am looking for a clear understandable introduction to Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico Philosophicus. Is there any particular book or website you can recommend to someone who is not schooled in philosophy?

Food for the wandering mind

koenie — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 06:54:27 -0800

In a while I will be going on a round the world trip to do a bit of soul searching (and to have a lot of fun of course). I'm looking for books on the subject of travel, not the pragmatically oriented genre, but philosophically and spiritually inclined ones. I'd like to read true stories about open-minded people backpacking around the globe and learning something about themselves and the world. I'd like to taste their joys as well as their disappointments, their insights as well as their confusion experienced during long-term world-wide travel. I'd appreciate it if you could include a one-line summary with your recommendations, for example:
The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton: lighthearted, philosophically-inclined book about the peculiarities of travel.
Be Here Now by Ram Dass: successful Harvard psychologist ends up in India after experimenting with acid.

Which Zizek-book to read?

Hjorth — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 15:25:50 -0800

Which recent book by Slavoj Zizek should I read? I've read "Welcome to the Desert of the Real" and "Did Somebody Say Totalitarianism?" and, although I don't agree with his politics, I really like his facetted style and sparkling wit. So what should be next on my reading list?

A guide to classical philosophy?

edd — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 06:22:54 -0800

My mother has asked me if I can find a book for her for Christmas. She's after something on philosophy - the classical variety in particular. Any suggested titles? It should cover the ideas of the great Greek and Roman philosophers in a more digestible form than translations of the original texts. She's more interested in areas that apply to your outlook on life, say, than anything overly abstract or metaphysical. She'll happily dig into a pretty dense tome and it need not be dumbed down - the important thing is that the prose be modern and comprehensible, even if the subject matter is complex.

No Sophie's World suggestions please!

Good books to compare soc/econ/jurisprudence?

BeerGrin — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 10:55:57 -0800

Philoso-Filter: Any books out there that act like a GEB of philosophy/sociology/economics/justice? I keep seeing threads that knit Keynes (econ), Weber (soc), Kant (specifically deontological duty arguments), and Hohfeld (Duty based jurisprudence) together in odd places. I'm not that smart so I can't be the first to consider it. An READABLE works out there? If Ralws is included that would be a hoot. Don't refer me to Wiki, Wiki has already inspired this run down a rabbit trail (I should be studying Torts, or doing me job right now.)

What books or movies are as explicitly philosophy oriented as Waking Life?

dino terror — Sun, 02 Oct 2005 15:13:53 -0800

What books or movies are as explicitly philosophy oriented as 'Waking Life'? I realize that if it's philosophy I want I could go straight to the source and read a book about philosophy, but theres something to be said I think for the little nuggets of wisdom or ideas we pick up from a story or a well-turned phrase. And Waking Life just seemed to be jammed full of these as it seemed to be a movie about philosophy! Any others? Im trying to get at philosophy basically from outside of the discipline of philosophy, so any books on 'philosophy from people without PhD's' is good too.

Semiotics Text Books?

zpousman — Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:29:06 -0800

PhilosophyPhilter(!) I am writing an academic paper (not in philosophy) that uses some of the terms and basic structure of semiotics, the study of signs and the way that they represent objects and ideas. Does anybody know of a good book that I can use as a reference for this in my paper? I'd prefer not to have to reference online material (wikipedia, and this site are good), but would prefer a real book. I am hoping to point interested readers to concise definitions of the terms, like in a dictionary or encylopedia, and not to honking books by Pierce. Any ideas?

Reading Kant

Tin Man — Sun, 22 Aug 2004 10:32:02 -0800

I'd like to read Kant. [more] Where would I begin with Kant? I've read a general overview of the history of Western philosophy (Richard Tarnas's Passion of the Western Mind). I've read some Plato; I have a general understanding of Aristotle and the medieval Scholastics; I've recently read Descartes's Discourse and Meditations, and I just finished reading David Hume's Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, which I know greatly influenced Kant. I'd kind of like to just dive into the Critique of Pure Reason, but I have some questions.

1) Would it be helpful to read any of Kant's other works first?

2) Would it be helpful to read any particular works by other philosophers first? (Keep in mind that I'm a little impatient to get to Kant.)

3) What translations of Kant's works would you recommend?

4) Any other helpful suggestions?

I read Dennett's Consciousness Explained several months ago. What next?

DevilsAdvocate — Sun, 11 Jan 2004 07:47:11 -0800

I read Dennett's Consciousness Explained several months ago. What next? [more inside]