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I read Magee's book Confessions of a Philosopher some years ago and it was agonizing. Magee's personal bitterness was so pungent and so awkwardly colored his th

I read Magee's book Confessions of a Philosopher some years ago and it was agonizing. Magee's personal bitterness was so pungent and so awkwardly colored his thoughts on philosophical topics that I found myself struggling to finish the book. Of all the books on philosophy I have read, that book by Magee was easily the most off-putting.

iorrus 8y ago
I thought it was a fantastic introduction to Western Philosophy. One of the top 5 books I recommend to people who have an interest in philosophy but no academic background in the area.
- copperx 8y ago
  What are the other 4?
  - iorrus 8y ago
    This is an extremely personal question. I have extreme biases, I personally favour: Bryan Magee's book on Schopenhauer. German Idealism/The Fate of reason by Fredrick Beiser. Hegel and the Hermetic Tradition by Glenn Magee Kant's Transcendental Idealism: An Interpretation and Defense by Allison Plato: Complete Works by John Cooper is good The Paidea series by Jaeger is amazing as is the four volume collection by Giovanni Reale if you're interested in ancient philosophies (like me) ----------- The 'phenomenological' school is considered important. Making Sense of Heidegger by Sheehan Merleau-Ponty's Philosophy by Hass However I think most true Western thought is to be found in the great works of literature. Ovid/Dante etc. try reading Howard Blooms work "The Western Canon". Personally I find most western philosophy quite turgid.
    - woodandsteel 8y ago
      The Dream of Reason by Anthony Gottlieb is a good introduction to Greek philosophy. You really should start there, since everything since then is a response to what they had to say.
    - adjkant 8y ago
      At the Existentialist Cafe by Bakewell I think is the best catch-all for phenomenology in many ways despite being part historical rather than full philosophy. Would highly recommend even if one is familiar with the usual suspects featured in it.
      - woodandsteel 8y ago
        Agreed, it's a wonderful book.

iorrus 8y ago

I thought it was a fantastic introduction to Western Philosophy. One of the top 5 books I recommend to people who have an interest in philosophy but no academic background in the area.

copperx 8y ago
What are the other 4?
- iorrus 8y ago
  This is an extremely personal question. I have extreme biases, I personally favour: Bryan Magee's book on Schopenhauer. German Idealism/The Fate of reason by Fredrick Beiser. Hegel and the Hermetic Tradition by Glenn Magee Kant's Transcendental Idealism: An Interpretation and Defense by Allison Plato: Complete Works by John Cooper is good The Paidea series by Jaeger is amazing as is the four volume collection by Giovanni Reale if you're interested in ancient philosophies (like me) ----------- The 'phenomenological' school is considered important. Making Sense of Heidegger by Sheehan Merleau-Ponty's Philosophy by Hass However I think most true Western thought is to be found in the great works of literature. Ovid/Dante etc. try reading Howard Blooms work "The Western Canon". Personally I find most western philosophy quite turgid.
  - woodandsteel 8y ago
    The Dream of Reason by Anthony Gottlieb is a good introduction to Greek philosophy. You really should start there, since everything since then is a response to what they had to say.
  - adjkant 8y ago
    At the Existentialist Cafe by Bakewell I think is the best catch-all for phenomenology in many ways despite being part historical rather than full philosophy. Would highly recommend even if one is familiar with the usual suspects featured in it.
    - woodandsteel 8y ago
      Agreed, it's a wonderful book.