Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality and how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them how little they genuinely understood. This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy and explores their most compelling ideas about the world and how best to live in it. In forty brief chapters, Nigel Warburton guides us on a chronological tour of the major ideas in the history of philosophy. He provides interesting and often quirky stories of the lives and deaths of thought-provoking philosophers from Socrates, who chose to die by hemlock poisoning rather than live on without the freedom to think for himself, to Peter Singer, who asks the disquieting philosophical and ethical questions that haunt our own times. Warburton not only makes philosophy accessible, he offers inspiration to think, argue, reason, and ask in the tradition of Socrates. A Little History of Philosophy presents the grand sweep of humanity's search for philosophical understanding and invites all to join in the discussion. Less
3 comments
orbiiino
8 Jul 171#1
I bought and listened this in June 2015 and thoroughly enjoyed the book, the narration was excellent and the depth and breadth of the material was superb.
I knew very little about philosophy before reading this book. I may only know a little more now, but what I do know is that it is much more interesting than I had imagined. I will be listening to this again and it has inspired me to read more on the subject. Definitely recommended.
rbsjp
8 Jul 17#2
how do I buy with existing Amazon credit? Do we need to be a member to buy audible book? If I add a card it will not allow me to untick the membership
Opening post
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY
Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality and how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them how little they genuinely understood.
This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy and explores their most compelling ideas about the world and how best to live in it. In forty brief chapters, Nigel Warburton guides us on a chronological tour of the major ideas in the history of philosophy. He provides interesting and often quirky stories of the lives and deaths of thought-provoking philosophers from Socrates, who chose to die by hemlock poisoning rather than live on without the freedom to think for himself, to Peter Singer, who asks the disquieting philosophical and ethical questions that haunt our own times.
Warburton not only makes philosophy accessible, he offers inspiration to think, argue, reason, and ask in the tradition of Socrates. A Little History of Philosophy presents the grand sweep of humanity's search for philosophical understanding and invites all to join in the discussion.
Less
3 comments
I knew very little about philosophy before reading this book. I may only know a little more now, but what I do know is that it is much more interesting than I had imagined. I will be listening to this again and it has inspired me to read more on the subject. Definitely recommended.