Hi, new member here. Advice sought.

Philosophy Forums Philosophy
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Hello,

I have been interested in discovering more about philosophy; but I am a novice to this ‘world’. I have scoured the internet over the years and I appear to be more attracted to old masters as it were and I would like to know if anyone can recommend a starting point for myself? I used to have a book that I found in a second hand store which has disappeared from my possession, I seem to think the persons name was along the lines of Gabriel Khan? I could be mistaken though.

I have discovered this guy; Niccolò Machiavelli and I am about to order The Prince which he wrote. My personal interest, is not political based writings more along the lines of life in ‘general’; but I am open to stretch my imagination further in time. Again; old classics seem to agree with me more :slight_smile:

Any advice and names would be most appreciated.

Thank you.
Lee

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I would recommend starting with:

  1. Plato - “Five Dialogues” published by Hackett

and

  1. Descartes - Meditations on First Philosophy translated by Cress

Plato is ancient philosophy and Descartes is considered the first modern philosopher.

If you enjoy the Plato, you might try reading Plato’s “The Republic” which is a big long book.

If you enjoy the Descartes, you might try Leibniz: “Philosophical Essays” and Hume’s “Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding”

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I wouldn’t recommend literally starting with Liebniz or Hume if your literally just starting out. Get to them in a few months.

You like Machiavelli, but not into statecraft. Alright… the renaissance greek revival it is.

  1. Epictetus’ Enchiridion - read it as a kid, light yet deep meaning

  2. Boethius’ The Consolation of Philosophy - another easy book, yet deep… had a massive effect on philosophy from the collapse of rome to the present

  3. Cicero’s Republic … introduces you to the wider tradition the easiest. Very easy to digest, and has a Machiavellian feel to it.

  4. Diogenes Laertius’ Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers- very easy to choose your path from here

If you have a religion, I can give you a more specific and edifying list. The poster right before me offered fine philosophers, but you run the risk of being broken off too soon by them if you jump right in. If you like the classics, explore them for a time.

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I stand by my list : )

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meetup.com/londonphilosopher … 178536062/

I also recommend stopping by the London Philosophy Group, ran by a Stoic Christian named Jules Evans (we, the Cynic-Stoic movement, be the Octopus of Philosophy, taking over one group at a time around the planet).

It is a very good way to integrate into the local philosophy circles in your area. Let him know mercurydawn, the American Cynic sent you. And no, you dont have to talk or have a opinion.

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Don’ t need to order Il Principe: gutenberg.org/files/1232/1232-h/1232-h.htm
Then, if you like Machiavelli, but are not really (or not yet) interested in politics, try Montaigne’s Essays (also available at Project Gutenberg).