Some help with philosophy please?

Hi,

I've been interested in looking into philosophy for years, but have only started reading it this week.

My main goal is to learn how to debate correctly and without emotion. This is something (debating) that was never mentioned once in my childhood! I wish we had debate teams in the UK, what harm can come from civil discourse?? I just want to become a calm thoughtful person, not an erratic mess like I am now.

Anyway I've decided to dip my toe in and wanted some advice if that is OK? (Sorry forgot to say that i would like to take an A-level in Philosophy, and decide after whether to pursue a degree)

Which books should I start off with?

I currently have;

Philosophy 101
Plato - The last days of Socrates
And a GSCE study book of religious studies and philosophy. (Currently there is no GSCE for philosophy)

So I was going to do a crash course GSCE as it looks really easy, then look into the A-level and maybe more.

Sorry for the ramble, just realised I could have kept this really short! (better writing skills needed! 😊)

Many Thanks
FA

Ahhh.....philosophy.....wisdom of man....or is it?

Where was man when the earth was created?

a reply to: FinallyAwake

originally posted by: DeathSlayer


Ahhh.....philosophy.....wisdom of man....or is it?

Where was man when the earth was created?

a reply to: FinallyAwake

Was the earth created? or formed naturally?

Science says one thing, religion says the other.

There are no absolutes, so which one to believe??

I don't know enough philosophy to debate this though!

Any advice on books to start with?

Thanks FA

a reply to: FinallyAwake

I would start with Russell even if it's a bit older it still gives you a nice introduction and probably a list of things you'd want to look into afterwards.

Hard to go past Kierkegaard, inspired so many other great philosophers with his existentialism. Not just thinking but putting thoughts into physical practice
Though he was a Christian, the application was secular as well

originally posted by: Peeple
a reply to: FinallyAwake

I would start with Russell even if it's a bit older it still gives you a nice introduction and probably a list of things you'd want to look into afterwards.

Thank you very much 👍🏼

originally posted by: Raggedyman
Hard to go past Kierkegaard, inspired so many other great philosophers with his existentialism. Not just thinking but putting thoughts into physical practice
Though he was a Christian, the application was secular as well

This is great thank you, it it difficult/heavy reading though? Sorry, I should have mentioned I was really looking for the easier stuff to start with.

Many thanks

a reply to: DeathSlayer
Philosophy actually means love of wisdom.

Philosophy, derived from the Greek 'philo' (love) and 'sophia' (wisdom), is literally defined as “the love of wisdom.”

a reply to: FinallyAwake
I recommend watching Peter Bolland.....
Starting with this one
"What is Philosophy?"

And then this:
"Wisdom vs Knowledge"

And here is a link to his yt channel:
youtube.com...

No reading required

a reply to: FinallyAwake

Let me give you a little advice. study first "Occam's razor" and "Popper's criterion", and a lot will become clearer and easier for you))

originally posted by: Itisnowagain
a reply to: FinallyAwake
I recommend watching Peter Bolland.....
Starting with this one
"What is Philosophy?"

And then this:
"Wisdom vs Knowledge"

And here is a link to his yt channel:
youtube.com...

No reading required

Excellent, thank you! 👍🏼

originally posted by: RussianTroll
a reply to: FinallyAwake

Let me give you a little advice. study first "Occam's razor" and "Popper's criterion", and a lot will become clearer and easier for you))

I like this advice, I know occams, but never heard of poppers criterion. Thanks very much will read up tonight 👍🏼

Popper teaches us about false science and where the lines are drawn. Great thing to study. Good suggestions you made. Occom's Razor is a favorite.

You should also look into getting a couple books on logic, as well. They compliment each other.

a reply to: FinallyAwake

There’s a podcast called philosophise this. It goes through various philosophers and their general ideas from Ancient Greek right up to the present.

The best thing about podcasts is you can learn something while doing something else, as long as that other thing doesn’t require much thought. Thus killing two birds with one stone.

I would definitely look into the Vedas and the Upanishads. For me at least “western” philosophy was very dry and led me to the “Eastern” mystics.

I think it’s important too to get in touch with an experiential philosophy, knowledge about one’s self.
(Or lack thereof). About what we are, or perhaps are not. This would be considered in the realm of “Self-Inquiry”.

Zen is really great, if you skip past the watered-down washed out parrots from the West who garble it all up.

Search out the “Masters”:
Hui-Neng
Huang Po
Dogen
Bankei

Skip over those like Alan Watts (may be a cool parrot but he misses the mark.)

Ideally, search for non-recycled non-regurgitated knowledge.

The Heart of Awareness is really good.
As is Sufi Wisdom.
Perfect Brilliant Stillness by David Carse (available free)

In most of our upbringings there is only Religion or Philosophy. But there is so much more that can not be categorized like that.

Have Fun!

“Keep on asking those deep questions, sleep on. When you wake even you’ll be gone!”
Ikkyu
a reply to: FinallyAwake

a reply to: FinallyAwake

Checkout The Philosophy Book'.

Very clear and concise explanation of philosophies over the past 2000+ years. Lots of diagrams and pics too!

Other thing one of my children wanted to join a lunch time club at primary school called "Young Philosophers" - but the was a long waiting list. So maybe all is not lost.

originally posted by: willzilla
You should also look into getting a couple books on logic, as well. They compliment each other.

Yes good idea, many thanks 👍🏼

originally posted by: surfer_soul

a reply to: FinallyAwake

There’s a podcast called philosophise this. It goes through various philosophers and their general ideas from Ancient Greek right up to the present.

The best thing about podcasts is you can learn something while doing something else, as long as that other thing doesn’t require much thought. Thus killing two birds with one stone.

I love a good podcast, thanks for this!

originally posted by: Ideashavenomother
I would definitely look into the Vedas and the Upanishads. For me at least “western” philosophy was very dry and led me to the “Eastern” mystics.

I think it’s important too to get in touch with an experiential philosophy, knowledge about one’s self.
(Or lack thereof). About what we are, or perhaps are not. This would be considered in the realm of “Self-Inquiry”.

Zen is really great, if you skip past the watered-down washed out parrots from the West who garble it all up.

Search out the “Masters”:
Hui-Neng
Huang Po
Dogen
Bankei

Skip over those like Alan Watts (may be a cool parrot but he misses the mark.)

Ideally, search for non-recycled non-regurgitated knowledge.

The Heart of Awareness is really good.
As is Sufi Wisdom.
Perfect Brilliant Stillness by David Carse (available free)

In most of our upbringings there is only Religion or Philosophy. But there is so much more that can not be categorized like that.

Have Fun!

“Keep on asking those deep questions, sleep on. When you wake even you’ll be gone!”
Ikkyu
a reply to: FinallyAwake

Wow, thanks so much! I feel more knowledgeable already 😊 👍🏼, lots to look into now.

Big thanks to everyone, I knew I came to the right place 🍻
FA