Title: Like Philosophy Embedded In Literature?
Post by: adimagejim on February 20, 2009, 07:39:20 PM
Post by: adimagejim on February 20, 2009, 07:39:20 PM
Wondering how many people prefer to accept their doses of philosophy from literature rather than straight-up philosophy texts.
My favorites are Russian literature. Tolstoy's Confession and The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky.
From time to time more direct philosophy texts are strong too. Big fan of Beyond Good & Evil by Nietzsche, although he can be cryptic and somewhat disjointed. (Drugs do have their, uh, deleterious effects.)
Maybe I'm just a weak reader, but I generally dislike the philosophy for its own sake stuff.
Any recommendations or faves of your own?
Jim
My favorites are Russian literature. Tolstoy's Confession and The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky.
From time to time more direct philosophy texts are strong too. Big fan of Beyond Good & Evil by Nietzsche, although he can be cryptic and somewhat disjointed. (Drugs do have their, uh, deleterious effects.)
Maybe I'm just a weak reader, but I generally dislike the philosophy for its own sake stuff.
Any recommendations or faves of your own?
Jim
Title: Re: Like Philosophy Embedded In Literature?
Post by: Tom62 on February 20, 2009, 09:38:38 PM
Post by: Tom62 on February 20, 2009, 09:38:38 PM
That is why I'm reading Douglas Adams' The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It answers all the questions of Life, Universe and Everything. 
Title: Re: Like Philosophy Embedded In Literature?
Post by: SSY on February 20, 2009, 11:45:52 PM
Post by: SSY on February 20, 2009, 11:45:52 PM
Reading (trying to read . . . . ) Kant's critique of pure reason put me off philosophy books for life.
Title: Re: Like Philosophy Embedded In Literature?
Post by: SteveS on February 21, 2009, 01:57:00 AM
Post by: SteveS on February 21, 2009, 01:57:00 AM
I always recommend Atheism: The Case Against God by George H. Smith. It is philosophy, but it's not nearly so stuffy.
Title: Re: Like Philosophy Embedded In Literature?
Post by: Whitney on February 21, 2009, 04:57:35 AM
Post by: Whitney on February 21, 2009, 04:57:35 AM
I really liked Daniel Quinn's Ishmael, The Story of B, My Ishmael, and Beyond Civilization. They are basically all a very long critique, yet easy and entertaining to read, of the what civilization has evolved to be.
The Story of B would be especially appealing members of this forum since that book entertains the idea that the anti-christ all these religious people are scared of is actually anyone who is willing to teach people that there are better ways to live life sans the savior figure. The books make more sense if read in order but can be read separately without being lost. (except Beyond Civilization, it won't make much sense if you haven't read at least one of the other books).
The Story of B would be especially appealing members of this forum since that book entertains the idea that the anti-christ all these religious people are scared of is actually anyone who is willing to teach people that there are better ways to live life sans the savior figure. The books make more sense if read in order but can be read separately without being lost. (except Beyond Civilization, it won't make much sense if you haven't read at least one of the other books).
Title: Re: Like Philosophy Embedded In Literature?
Post by: adimagejim on February 21, 2009, 05:47:18 PM
Post by: adimagejim on February 21, 2009, 05:47:18 PM
Thanks for the insights and suggestions.
Anyone ever read The Inquisitor (only about 20 pages) within The Brothers Karamazov?
It is a cruel, yet stunning indictment of the savior figure. Essentially it accuses the reincarnation of Jesus Christ of negligence. Naturally, it is written from a Russian Orthodox perspective, so it assumes spirituality, but cuts to the core from an atheistic standpoint.
I also wanted to add that it strikes me as incredibly inconsistent of religions to want to give their god all the glory and yet never assigning it any blame. What a sweet gig to be their god! Credit for everything. Discredit for nothing.
Amazingly illogical.
Thanks again for the replies.
Jim
Anyone ever read The Inquisitor (only about 20 pages) within The Brothers Karamazov?
It is a cruel, yet stunning indictment of the savior figure. Essentially it accuses the reincarnation of Jesus Christ of negligence. Naturally, it is written from a Russian Orthodox perspective, so it assumes spirituality, but cuts to the core from an atheistic standpoint.
I also wanted to add that it strikes me as incredibly inconsistent of religions to want to give their god all the glory and yet never assigning it any blame. What a sweet gig to be their god! Credit for everything. Discredit for nothing.
Amazingly illogical.
Thanks again for the replies.
Jim