The Untidy Business of Thinking: An Introduction to Philosophy

Key Insights

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• Philosophy emerges from three foundational questions about existence
• Good philosophy embodies distinct worldviews that expand our imagination
• Lasting philosophy arises from deeply felt beliefs and pressing motivations
• Philosophical ideas have the power to change civilizations
• Understanding recurring themes across 2,000 years reveals philosophical continuity

Related Content

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This series draws on classical texts including Plato’s Crito, Thomas Hobbes’s political theory, Buddhist philosophy, and works by René Descartes, David Hume, and John Locke. It serves as an introduction to how humanity’s greatest crisis—consciousness itself—spawned the discipline of philosophy.

References

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1. Anonymous. (1993). The questions of King Milinda (N. K. G. Mendis, Ed. & Trans.). Buddhist Publication Society. (Original work written c. 100 BC – AD 100).
2. Beauvoir, S. de. (1953). The second sex (H. M. Parshley, Trans.). Everyman’s Library. (Original work published 1949).
3. Craig, E. (2002). Philosophy: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
4. Darwin, C. (1968). The origin of species (J. W. Burrow, Ed.). Penguin Books. (Original work published 1859).
5. Hobbes, T. (1991). Leviathan (R. Tuck, Ed.). Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1651).
6. Hume, D. (1975). Enquiries concerning human understanding and concerning the principles of morals (L. A. Selby-Bigge, Ed.; 3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1748).
7. Mill, J. S. (1910). Utilitarianism, liberty, and representative government. J. M. Dent & Sons. (Original works published 1859-1863).
8. Nietzsche, F. (1967). On the genealogy of morals (W. Kaufmann & R. J. Hollingdale, Trans.). Vintage Books. (Original work published 1887).
9. Plato. (1954). The last days of Socrates (H. Tredennick, Trans.). Penguin Books. (Original work written c. 399 BC).