 nimysa United States. October 27 2009 09:58. Posts 346 | Profile Blog |
So I've reached a point in life where things are changing fast and it's a confusing period without much answers and too many questions, my mind is basically in a blank slate right now and I was wondering if you guys could recommend me any classical works (ex: montaigne,locke,lao-tzu etc). Specifically works that are very logical, gives you analytic clear coherent arguments and teaches you a certain type of philosophical thinking (ex:sherlock holmes=empiricism).
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| plated.rawr Norway. October 27 2009 10:01. Posts 319 | Profile |
| Buy a philosophy 101-book. That should give you a decent overview of important philosophers and what they've contributed with. You don't want to go straight in and read their unworked books without getting some basics in place, since it'll just confuse or malfocus your perception of philosophy. |
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 Ingenol United States. October 27 2009 10:13. Posts 633 | Profile |
| "Philosophy: Who Needs It?" (Ayn Rand). Always remember that any good philosopher will present arguments and encourage you to draw your own conclusions from them (as they themselves have done), so check your premises constantly. Last edit: 2009-10-27 10:40:16 |
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 ManBearPig Belgium. October 27 2009 10:19. Posts 136 | Profile Blog |
So you're looking for logical, analytic works? On what subjects? Basically the entire English tradition is filled with analytic, logical thinking. If you're looking for a book that's not too hard to read and offers perspectives from different philosophers on some of life's problems, you could try The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton.
If you're looking to become a 'fan' of some philosophers and read them firsthand, you should probably read a history of philosophy first. Just go medieval/modern english tradition if you want it clearcut and analytical.
edit: if you're looking for some sort of 'methodology' to philosophical thinking, try Robert Todd Carroll's Becoming a Critical Thinker - A Guide for the New Millennium.Last edit: 2009-10-27 10:27:36 |
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 hellokitty[hk] United States. October 27 2009 10:31. Posts 110 | Profile |
"Philosophy: Who Needs It?" (Any Rand)
You mean Ayn Rand, and look into her other books too. |
| | People are imbeciles, lucky thing god made cats. |
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| Ingenol United States. October 27 2009 10:40. Posts 633 | Profile |
On October 27 2009 10:31 hellokitty[hk] wrote:You mean Ayn Rand, and look into her other books too.
Yep, typo. Fixed now. :D |
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 zulu_nation8 China. October 27 2009 10:46. Posts 13472 | Profile Blog | |
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 L Canada. October 27 2009 10:47. Posts 1985 | Profile Blog |
On October 27 2009 09:58 nimysa wrote:
So I've reached a point in life where things are changing fast and it's a confusing period without much answers and too many questions, my mind is basically in a blank slate right now and I was wondering if you guys could recommend me any classical works (ex: montaigne,locke,lao-tzu etc). Specifically works that are very logical, gives you analytic clear coherent arguments and teaches you a certain type of philosophical thinking (ex:sherlock holmes=empiricism).
You can't perform proper logical analysis without first determining what hidden assumptions you have.
Travel to the start of western philosophy and read greek/egyptian mythology, then go do some Plato/Aristotle. |
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| nimysa United States. October 27 2009 10:48. Posts 346 | Profile Blog |
| besides ayn rand, I want works similar to kant's attack on reason and other philosophies like that. |
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 citi.zen October 27 2009 10:59. Posts 456 | Profile |
If you really want something analytical try Euclidean and Non-Euclidean Geometries. It sounds strange, but it changed the way I look at serious arguments in any field: fundamental assumptions matter hugely and most times we don't even spend time thinking about them.
Bar that... get a subscription to hustler. |
| | Aut viam inveniam, aut faciam. |
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| ShaperofDreams Canada. October 27 2009 11:29. Posts 770 | Profile |
| I think everybody is confused, especially at my point in life, I've figured out that the best thing to do is say "fuck it" and do what I feel like, create a goal, and do it. |
| | My Balls are as smooth as Eggs. FUCK OFF ALDARIS I HAVE ENOUGH PYLONS! |
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 PH United States. October 27 2009 11:46. Posts 3417 | Profile Blog |
All philosophy is based on logic and reasoning of one kind or another. Logic as it is now isn't what it was back then. Logic is also continually being developed.
I think you're just looking for works with clear argumentation. Logic is a flimsy word in the way you're using it. Kant sounds like a good choice (but it seems you're already familiar with at least some of his work). I've only read his Groundwork, though.
Try reading Descartes. His Meditations on the First Philosophy (or something like that...I can't remember the exact title) has very interesting argumentation, but no reliance on logic as we know it today. |
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| lOvOlUNiMEDiA United States. October 27 2009 12:14. Posts 216 | Profile |
| I was surprised that Rand was mentioned in this thread. And even more surprised the mention of her name didn't unleash a tornado of snickers and smears. Regardless, I agree that Rand is a great choice -- especially considering you are looking for a comprehensive, integrated approach to life. Rand, like Aristotle, thought that Philosophy is the tool needed to live a good life. Good Luck. |
| | To say that Im missing the point, you would first have to show that such work can have a point. |
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| Ingenol United States. October 27 2009 12:16. Posts 633 | Profile |
On October 27 2009 12:14 lOvOlUNiMEDiA wrote:
I was surprised that Rand was mentioned in this thread. And even more surprised the mention of her name didn't unleash a tornado of snickers and smears. Regardless, I agree that Rand is a great choice -- especially considering you are looking for a comprehensive, integrated approach to life. Rand, like Aristotle, thought that Philosophy is the tool needed to live a good life. Good Luck.
I'm also pleased thus far. Then again, if you read Atlas Shrugged it basically spells out almost exactly what's happening economically to the world today. It's almost scary how relevant and precise it is despite being written over 50 years ago. I suppose that's why it has reemerged on best-seller lists. |
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 Knickknack United States. October 27 2009 12:23. Posts 1022 | Profile | |
| | | Buildcraft page: http://tinyurl.com/p8wtq4 | |
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| omninmo October 27 2009 12:54. Posts 1620 | Profile Blog |
Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols or How to Philosophize with a Hammer summarized all which was relevant and paved the way for everything that followed. He touches on Plato/Socrates, Hume, Kant, Schopenhauer and begins to to discuss the issues that the so-called post-modernists like Heidegger and Foucault carried. His subsequent title, Der Antichrist, is also worth your time.
EDIT:
On second thought, there are many subtle references the author makes so if you are not versed in greek and german philosophy pre-Nietzsche then maybe you should just read Plato.
Philosophy is like music. Every masterpiece has fans and detractors. Depends what you like to read. If you want "logic" you can read Aristotle or Wittgenstein but the contents do not exactly match-up despite both being "logical". Basically, your OP is not entirely clear. Last edit: 2009-10-27 13:07:34 |
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 Mickey United States. October 27 2009 13:02. Posts 2022 | Profile Blog |
On October 27 2009 12:54 omninmo wrote:Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols or How to Philosophize with a Hammer summarized all which was relevant and paved the way for everything that followed. He touches on Plato/Socrates, Hume, Kant, Schopenhauer and begins to to discuss the issues that the so-called post-modernists like Heidegger and Foucault carried.
This is solid advice. Last edit: 2009-10-27 13:04:53 |
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| Equaoh Canada. October 27 2009 13:06. Posts 237 | Profile |
I snorted when I saw Ayn Rand on this list, only because I'm so used to people calling it pseudo-philosophy  I certainly haven't read Atlas Shrugged, so I won't judge.
I'd suggest some Indian philosophy - read the Vedantas or the Bhagavad Gita. I think the topics they deal with are so broad they'd give you the grounding you need to think logically in whatever situation you're in |
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 Physician  United States. October 27 2009 13:36. Posts 4000 | Profile Blog | |
| | ((( Signal to Noise ))) http://tinyurl.com/n5teo3 |
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| mangomango United States. October 27 2009 13:41. Posts 25 | Profile |
| Forget Rand. Read Food For the Heart by Ajahn Chah |
| | Cut deals with the local warlords and support the Pakastanis (even if most of them resent our interference) |
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