Most definitions of philosophy are fairly controversial, particularly if they aim to be at all interesting or profound.
That is partly because what has been called philosophy has changed radically in scope in the course of history,
with many inquiries that were originally part of it having detached themselves from it. The shortest definition,
and it is quite a good one, is that philosophy is thinking about thinking. That brings out the generally second-order character of the subject,
as reflective thought about particular kinds of thinking---formation of beliefs, claims to knowledge---about the world or large parts of it.
(The Companion to Philosophy)
My journey is from ,
and then ,
, ,
,
... . The major fields are , and ...
.
Philosophers, I interest in :
:
he taught me that Truth and Reason are the first thing in our life.
:
is the beginning of knowledge.
:
he give me more inspiration until now and then.
:
he let me know what is anxiety and sickness to death.
:
a new approach to the philosophy and culture.
:
have a deep insight to the modern state and politics.
: he point out an open society and critical thinking for me.
Of course, from
,
especially,
I learn the style of inner Life.
Now I hope to study - a very special philosopher in modern time.
Books Review
Author: Ted Honderich,Editor
Oxford University Press
ISBN 0-19-866132-0
This is the most authoritative and engaging philosophical
reference book in English. It gives clear and reliable guidance to all
areas of philosophy and to the ideas of all notable philosophers from antiquity
to the present day.The scope of the volume is not limited to English-language
philosophy: it surveys the foremost philosophy from all parts of the world.
A distinguished international assembly of 249 contributors provide almost
2,000 alphabetically arranged entries which are not only instructive but
also entertaining: they combine learning,lucidity, elegance, and wit .
For me, this is a good reference book
in philosophy.
Readers' Response
Email A:
Recieved an email from "Eddie". But no response address:
"Hello Kin-Fai,
My name is Eddie, I like philosophy very much but I am a beginner. Would
you like to suggest some philosophical book(s) for me especially western
philosophy.
Thanks for your help
Eddie :->"
Dear Eddie,
There are many introductory books for Western Philosophy. Recently, I received two books which are good for you:
Jostein Gaarder, " ".
Berkley Pub Group - ISBN: 0425156842
As the comment said,
"An Alice in Wonderland for the 90s ... a simply wonderful, irresistible book."
This book developed through a story as "An Alice in Wonderland" to introduce history of western philosophy.
Two words: interesting and exciting.
Roger Scruton, ""
Penguin USA (Paper) - ISBN: 0140249079
From knowledge system to introduce philosophy, an essential and comprehensive guide to modern thinking.
A "Study Guide" included in the book give you a further reading.
Kin-Fai Chong
30 August, 1996
Email B:
Email from Eddie Lo:
"I am a beginner of philosophy, Would you like to suggest some Chinese
edition of philosophy books for me.My interest is on western philosophy
Thanks for your attention
Eddie"
Dear Eddie Lo,
Chinese edition of western philosophy books:
Email C:
Recieved an email from "Shun Ma". I think it is useful to all ( I hope Shun Ma don't mind ):
"hi, chong,,
......
i think that the death of socrates is probably not represenatative of democracy. for democracy is not simply the minoirty accpeting the decision of the majority. aristotle observes that the majority in the society must be less educated and less independent and clear in thinking. they would normally use their passion and their trust of somebody to be their ground of judgement, instead of judging thing rationally or according to their reasons. according, a society that simply following the decision of the majority would be very likely to produce totalitarianian leader (like the case in China. if you look at the Chinese history, you would find that almost every founder of dynasties had gained supported from majority of people. and that is what Mencius means tha mandate of heaven. the people based on their trust of the heroes of their own times, thus handed over their autonomy to the heroes and made the heroes their soverigns. as a result, every soverign (the emperor) became totalitarian, even sometimes they had benefited their people.) i personally favor aristotlean idea of democracy. that is the society is governed by laws which legislate by the social elites (for social elites are generally more educated and are having more rational perspective.) and the majority of people have right to elect the people who do legislation (therefore the majority can restrain the power of the leading group and avoid the emerging of totalitarianism). the most important thing is everyone in the society has to obey the laws, no matter what the majority think at one point of time (to avoid people making decision when their emotion have overwhelmed their
reasons, like the case of the death of socrates). and we can see that
the entire western democratic nations are now following this aristotlean
democracy ( set up constitutions of the nation by elites leading groups
and public election).
accordingly, i would think the death of socrates was the cost of misunderstanding democracy (and certainly a great philosophical lost). this is my personal opinion of the death of socrates. (i am by no mean
to criticize your opinion, i just like to interflow some of my thought
to other philo-philosophy)
thank you for your attention and i am very happy to talk philosophy with
you.
......
nice to talk to you. "
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