Of course, you can read this in any order you feel so inclined.
However, I've put together a little list that seems to move the material along in an orderly fashion.
Remember that throughout history, the one thing all the philosophers have agreed upon is that Philosophy is the highest and the greatest joy.
I hope this pamphlet helps.
1. God: The Beginning of Abstract Reasoning.
Here we discuss roughly a dozen different "proofs of God" that have persisted through the centuries, along with their "counter-proofs."
There is no intent to convert or to change our beliefs. The sole concern is to develop our thinking. Reason is the domain of Philosophy, and beliefs are the domain of Theology.
2. Ethics: What Do We Do
There are so many ways to describe what is right or wrong. We look at some of the most popular and discuss the best points of each.
3. Business Ethics: What should we do in commerce?
We discuss the application of the ideas about ethics from "the marketplace of ideas" to the "marketplace" of economic transactions.
4. Egoism
Two Philosophies of Egoism: (Popular in Pyschology, Economics, and Politics)
Selfishness: Are Humans limited animals, existing only for individual survival? Should we be?
Can there be any ethics or ethical action if we are all controlled by selfishness, or if we should be selfish?
5. Metaphysics: Do We, or Does the World, Exist?
This seems like such an easy question, but, like defining ethics, turns into a knot that requires careful examination. Am I a dream or a catapillar, or both?
6. Epistemology, Or Why I am Skeptical about Skepticism: How Do We Know What We Know, and How Do We Know that We Know It?
The first step is to determine how would we know if we knew.
7. Political Philosophy: Can we put into effect our best ideas about ourselves when we work together in groups to govern our actions?
If the least government is the best, then we should all live in the Sudan.
If police and armies are all we want, then who picks up the garbage?
How does the role of government protect and encourage individual desire and achievement?
8. Aesthetics: What is art? What is Beauty?
What a pleasant thing to discuss. We all like aesthetics, even if we disagree about what we like, and why.
9. The Greatest Hits: A Short Review of Who Says What. "The Top Twenty"
10. Why We Study the Past
One of the rewards of studying Philosophy is the ability to name-drop.
11. The Meaning of Life.
The "Good Life." And "The Meaning of Life."
You would not have wanted to travel so far without coming to that answer, would you?
12. The Reading List.
13. The Almost Forgotten: Whatever was left out until now.
14. Extra Points: What is time? What is Zero? What is empathy?
15. Finished? Never! Life-long learning is good for everyone.
16. Philosophy and the New Age. How does Meditation relate to Critical Thinking?
17. Gratitude
Credits and Acknowledgements.
18. The Function of Philosophy.
---Response from some readers is that
beginning at the end, "The Function of
Philosophy," is actually a good place to
begin. It shows how Philosophy
is useful, important, and inspiring.
---Some readers find the first Chapter,
"Proofs of God," one of the more
difficult and recommend returning
to it after reading a few others first.
---Now, I think it all makes perfect
sense in the order in which it is
presented. You decide.
Enjoy.
Editor's Note: If you ever feel that you want a much fuller discussion of some of these topics, check out the related blog, http://philosophyfaqs.blogspot.com/. The blog is called Philosophy FAQs, and if you click on the tab "Frequently Asked Questions," you will find a list of questions and links to the answers. The same team is responsible. I hope you find it helpful.
