What books should I read if I want to get into philosophy?

10 Best Philosophy Books For Beginners

• Sophie’s World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy – Our Top Pick.
• The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained.
• Socrates’ Way: Seven Keys to Using Your Mind to the Utmost.
• The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell.
• Meditations on First Philosophy by Descartes.

What is the best book to start philosophy?

The Best Philosophy Books for Beginners

• Plato: Five Dialogues by Plato.
• The Emperor’s New Mind by Roger Penrose.
• Mengzi: With Selections from Traditional Commentaries translated by Bryan W.
• Meno by Plato.
• Republic by Plato.
• Discourse on Method by Rene Descartes.
• Symposium by Plato.
• The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins.

Is philosophy a respected major?

philosophy department, said the critical thinking, precise analysis and cogent writing required for a degree are rigorous training for any professional career. Philosophy majors, ranked 95th, bested graduates who studied business administration, political science, pre-medicine, biology, psychology and journalism.

Do you have to be smart to major in philosophy?

As such, Philosophy is a smart major but not quite as smart as Math or Physics. But the secret lies in approaching things equally. Sometimes engaging in Philosophical pursuits enables the mind to work more diffusely and may lead to particular insights into Physics and Math.

Which book of Nietzsche is best to start with?

Beyond Good & Evil, by Friedrich Nietzsche In his 1886 work Beyond Good & Evil, Nietzsche attempts to sum up his own philosophy — making it an ideal starting point for those looking to delve into Nietzsche’s actual writings.

What should I read first in philosophy?

10 Books For Beginners to Start With

• Plato, The Last Days of Socrates — this includes four dialogues: the Euthyphro , the Apology , the Crito , and the Phaedo.
• Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics.
• Epictetus, Discourses, Fragments, Handbook.
• Augustine of Hippo, Confessions.
• Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy.

Is philosophy a dying major?

Last year, drawing on the publicly available IPEDS database, I reported an alarmingly sharp decline in the number of recipients of Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy in the U.S. since 2010—from 9,297 in 2010, or 0.58\% of all graduates, to 7,507 in 2016, or 0.39\% of all graduates.

What major goes well with philosophy?

Majors in Mathematics, Computer Science, Psychology, Economics, Political Science, English, Modern Languages, Criminal Justice, and the natural sciences can usefully combine their studies with a double major in philosophy.

How hard is a degree in philosophy?

Readings for philosophy courses are generally not long, but they are difficult and challenging. You cannot expect to go through an assigned reading once and have an adequate grasp of it. Some students seem to thrive on the painstaking study required, while others simply don’t have the patience for it.

In what order should I read Plato?

These (and in this order) can get you started: Apology, an overview of Socrates and his philosophical project. Charmides, introduction to Plato’s dialogue style….

1. The Apology (possibly, as a group, with the Crito and Phaedo)
2. The Meno.
3. The Phaedrus.
4. The Gorgias.
5. The Theatetus.
6. The Republic.
7. The Symposium.
8. The Timaeus.

What is the best book on philosophy for beginners?

Best Philosophy Books for Beginners: Introductory and Surveys. Bertrand Russel’s ‘A History of Western Philosophy’ has held a position of reverence since it’s first publication in 1945. Comprehensive, erudite and revealing; this is a history written by one who would go on to become a regarded philosopher in his own right.

What is the best book to read about Western philosophy?

Featuring classic quotations by Aristotle, Epicurus, David Hume, Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell, Michel Foucault, and many more, A History of Western Philosophy in 500 Essential Quotations is ideal for anyone looking to quickly understand the fundamental ideas that have shaped the modern world.

What is the most difficult book to read in philosophy?

Reasons and Persons One of the most challenging philosophy books to read on this list, Reasons and Persons will send you on quite the trip. Through a lot of painstaking logic, Derek Parfit shows us some unique perspectives on self-interest, personhood, and whether our actions are good or evil.

Why should you read philosophy books?

Reading the best philosophy books gives us the opportunity to look into those hidden depths and understand our own thinking and behavior at a deeper level, helping us eliminate behavior we don’t like. Philosophy draws indiscriminately from all fields knowledge, in a never ending questioning.