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meh. I just like to read philosophy as philosophy, and novels as novels. Sartre wrote a few plays, I believe, and even Orwell is sort of philosophical. But if you primary goal is to learn philosophy, you'll probably learn best by reading actual books by the philosophers, themselves. ;)
O ok..thanks Jay.
Jay, those two books by Richard Bach are good, but do NOT read his stuff after that, namely The Bridge Across Forever.
That's where he gets all flaky and new age-y . . .
Basil, I was attempting to read The Bridge Across Forever already ;). Somehow the book ended being taken back to the library ;). It was a tad... difficult for me to follow :).
No prob SubT :D
It's almost worth it just to read how he and his wife learn how to astral project . . .
. . . but no, ultimately it's not worth it :D
Ahhh, so that's what they were doing :p ;) hehe (j/k)
I kinda disagree... I find that I prefer reading "philosophical literature" to actual philosophy. Perhaps because actual philosophy is very much in-yer-face, but literature requires one to think about the subtext of the story and see the meaning for oneself. Just a personal preference; YMMV.Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW-Guy
Well, I can appreciate your view. Like you said, though, it all boils down to a matter of preference. ;) ;) :cool:
True BMW, but take a look a book like Sophies World. It's a good way to introduce philosophy to people who never read about it. I think phylosophy is still considered as "heavy stuffs" and perhaps boring, that's why trying to deliver the ideas of phylosophical thoughts through novel or short story is a great idea (IMO).
I suppose it depends on whether or not you want to get the point, if you prefer to learn the concepts and get them down or enjoy the learning process and how they can be taught to you.
Has anybody heard of a book called Ishmael?
I read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn last summer, and found it, besides a little fantasy-like, enlightening in a most odd manner. After reading the first few pages, I almost set it down, never to touch it again, but I ended the book glad I completed it.Quote:
Originally Posted by simon
As for either reading straight philosophy or philosophy engulfed in fiction, I prefer both, depending on the type of philosophy. Ethics, I think, can always have a place in fiction, and seems often better explained there than in non-fiction. However, when the subject turns to metaphysics, mysticism, existentialism, and the like, I usually turn to non-fiction philosophy.
No, is it a book about Ishamel the other son of Abraham?
in Umberto Eco's 'the island of the day before' there are some philosophical bits, although rather ironical. it's a great read (Eco is always a great read :))
No.Quote:
Originally Posted by subterranean
It is about ecology. Ishmael is the name of an ape btw. Really great book, I must say.
Some philosophical fiction
Camus-anything; absurdism
Hardy-Jude the Obscure; Follower of Malthus ("Done because we were too many.")
Dostoevsky-anything; roots of existentialism
The transcendentalists
Bellow-anything after Augie March; modern existentialism, see Herzog
Hesse-anything