In my most recent pages read post (February) I mentioned that I had completed reading Bertrand Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy. I also mentioned that I had attempted to read one of Russell’s books around 40 years ago but had given up part way through the Introduction. I now suspect1 that that book obtained in the the 1980s was An Outline of Philosophy which was published in the USA simply as Philosophy.
Introductory books
Having now successfully completed reading one of Bertrand Russell’s books (!) I thought it time to consider some other philosophy works. I came across a gentleman on YouTube by the name of Jared Henderson who has a video called 7 Philosophy Books for Beginners. His seven recommendations are:
- Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy
- Simon Blackburn, Think
- Plato, Complete Works
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
- St. Augustine, Confessions
- René Descartes, Meditations
- John Stuart Mill, On Liberty
Number one, Russell, tick.
Number two, Blackburn, hiding in the house to be revealed as a birthday present.
Number three, Plato, I read the first dialogue, Euthyphro, in February and have now completed the five dialogues in Plato’s famous collection simply called ‘Five Dialogues’ (from the thirty-or-so he wrote). These five dialogues are not about philosophy but are dialogues on topics that are in the purview of philosophy and philosophers - piety, virtue, honour, death, the soul, etc.
Numbers four, six and seven (Aurelius, Descartes and Mill) are all on Gutenberg. I have no idea on the quality of the translations of either of the Meditations. In fact, all seven books are on/in Gutenberg with the exception of Simon Blackburn’s Think.
Number five, Augustine, was one my wife and I listened to an audio book several years ago. The first half of the book was quite accessible, interesting and enjoyable. The second half not so much.
As I’ve been reading these works and giving some thought to thinking philosophical thoughts, a number of questions or issues have arisen:
Starting to read philosophy
Firstly, I think I finally have a grasp on what I found so difficult with philosophy over the years. One can read about philosophy - what it is, how to do it better. One can read works by philosophers as they promote or discuss their views on philosophy or philosophical questions. Finally, one can do philosophy by spending time thinking about matters that philosophers have thought about - the nature of reality, logic, aesthetics, ethics, epistemology (the nature of knowledge), God, etc.
For me it made sense to start with a book or three that talks about what philosophy is and the breadth of topics it encompasses. Next is to start reading some simple works by philosophers as they philosophise. Next you can do it yourself - ‘spend time thinking about important stuff’2.
It’s a bit like cooking: Firstly, one can buy and read a cookbook to grasp basic terminology, skills required, measurement units, ingredients and actual recipes. Secondly, one could watch cooking shows to see people exercising their skills and knowledge. Thirdly, one gets into the kitchen and cooks.
But back to philosophy cook books, in Bertrand Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy, he considers the nature of reality and perception and truth. Jared Henderson then recommended Simon Blackburn’s book, Think. Based on the chapter titles Blackburn discusses such topics as knowledge, free will, God, reasoning, the mind. These topics give a flavour of the types of questions or issues that philosophers can consider.
I had also considered getting a copy of Roger Scruton’s Philosophy: Principles and Problems and/or Thomas Nagel’s What Does It All Mean. Whilst each of these later three books cover somewhat similar territory, I am sure there would be significant differences in their approaches and views. Maybe that’s part of the beauty of philosophy? I may look out for Scruton or Nagel in future.
Increased understanding
Secondly, when I started Russell’s Outline of Philosophy forty years ago (assuming that’s what it was) I understood very little - so little that I didn’t even finish reading the introduction to an introductory book.
Fast-forward some 35 years. I read Luc Ferry’s A Brief History of Thought in 2019 and made a note that I understood perhaps 30% of that content. My recent foray into Russell’s Problems of Philosophy may have reach 50% to 60% comprehension. Gradual improvements. Interestingly, one reviewer of Scruton’s book noted that “About 75% of this book was within my mental grasp after one reading, which is about where a work of philosophy ought to be.” I’ve got a way to go for even introductory material, but as I read (and think) more I will gain familiarity with the material, scope, language, and intent of the authors.
One Jared Henderson video I watched stated that any work of philosophy (and probably any non-fiction work, period) requires at least two readings to begin to understand and digest the material.
Plato on my plate
Thirdly, as I mentioned above, I have now read the five dialogues of Plato. These five are a collection of works from around the time of Socrates trial and execution. These dialogues are:
- Euthyphro - discusses the nature of piety and holiness.
- Apology - an account of Socrates defence in his trial that lead to his conviction for corrupting the youth (by asking and expecting them to think for themselves).
- Crito - a discussion about honour and righteousness and whether it would be right for Socrates to flee into exile before his execution.
- Meno - on the nature and source of virtue and whether it can be learnt, and, if so, whether there are suitably qualified teachers.
- Phaedo - recounting Socrates last words on death and the nature of the soul and its relationship to knowledge.
They are surprisingly interesting. I would estimate that I am grasping around 70% of the intent of the dialogue; but it is fascinating to see the Socratic questioning process unfold as Socrates (through Plato’s penmanship) challenges his interlocutors to fully consider what they say and believe.
Next?
I’m taking another look at Luc Ferry’s work, I’ll read Blackburn’s Think after that and either pick up another introductory work (either Scuton or Nagel) or have a look at Jared Henderson’s suggestions numbered from 4 to 7.
For me the primary purpose will be to consider and evaluate how philosophy and philosophical thinking compares and contrasts with biblical and theological thinking and revelation. There will be some overlap, but also some disparity, I’m sure.