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110th out of 283 books
—
177 voters
Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy
Here at last is a coherent, unintimidating introduction to the challenging and fascinating landscape of Western philosophy. Written expressly for "anyone who believes there are big questions out there, but does not know how to
approach them," Think provides a sound framework for exploring the most basic themes of philosophy, and for understanding how major philosophers have...more
approach them," Think provides a sound framework for exploring the most basic themes of philosophy, and for understanding how major philosophers have...more
Hardcover
Published
October 14th 1999
by Oxford University Press
(first published 1999)
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Pitched as an introduction to philosophy, this book is actually very heavy going. Time and again I found myself re-reading sentences several times until I concluded that I couldn't get what the author was trying to say, before moving on to the next sentence, with some amount of hope that the previous sentence wasn't important anyway. It seems to me that modern philosophers have all reached the conclusion that the big questions have already all been answered as well as they are ever going to be....more
... Loved it!
Simon Blackburn surely did make me think...lots. At times easier than others, and there were many times I had to re-read bit several times. There were also times that lead me to crack open a few other web pages to find out more about certain things/topics that were new to me. So, for these reasons alone, this book was quite an education.
The were times that the book tested my curiosity in the sense of suspended my previously held prejudices, and unreasoned beliefs. These times were...more
Simon Blackburn surely did make me think...lots. At times easier than others, and there were many times I had to re-read bit several times. There were also times that lead me to crack open a few other web pages to find out more about certain things/topics that were new to me. So, for these reasons alone, this book was quite an education.
The were times that the book tested my curiosity in the sense of suspended my previously held prejudices, and unreasoned beliefs. These times were...more
2 likes · like · see review
While The best introduction to philosophy is studying logic and then picking up an anthology concerning a philosophical topic (like Ethics or Meta-Ethics), this is second best from what I'm familiar with.
The History of ideas (i.e. the history of philosophy) genre tends to expand on ideas and not arguments. How people actually justified those ideas, how they argued in favor of them are usually not a part of the tale.
Blackburn does include those as a part of his tale. So this is an actual introdu...more
The History of ideas (i.e. the history of philosophy) genre tends to expand on ideas and not arguments. How people actually justified those ideas, how they argued in favor of them are usually not a part of the tale.
Blackburn does include those as a part of his tale. So this is an actual introdu...more
The kind of books you read when you are bored .. it will surly make you ..THINK!and re-think it all over again
2 likes · like · see review
Who am I? What is the world? Does god exist? Do I have a free will? These are questions every single one of us has asked himself in the course of his life: some only to consider them as unimportant and forget about them, others countless times, dwelling on possible answers and becoming more and more fascinated with them. If you are one of the latter - and I certainly am - this is a book for you.
Though slightly arrogant, the sub-title of the book is the best description of its contents: 'A compel...more
Though slightly arrogant, the sub-title of the book is the best description of its contents: 'A compel...more
Blackburn's subtitle, A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy, is exactly on target. The eight chapters in Think cover knowledge, mind, free will, the self, God, reasoning, the world, and what to do. The usual suspects are covered: Plato's cave, Descartes' demon, Theseus' ship, and so forth. Consider Anselm's ontological argument for the existence of God (essentially, God is a being greater than which none can be conceived; if God existed only in our understanding, it would be possible to concei...more
A rather well structured introduction to philosophy, Simon Blackburn's book is a good read for anybody interested in an overview of the biggest issues that contemporary philosophers are working on. An issue that one may find when reading this book is a difficult writing style. Blackburn has an odd style and it takes time to get used to the way he tries to get his point across. If you can get past the difficult prose, it's a solid introductory text.
1 like · like · see review
May 05, 2009
Charles
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Thinkers, Wanna-be Philosophers
Recommended to Charles by:
Library Find
This is a good introduction to many of the main problems/questions of Philosophy. Unlike many introductions to the subject, Blackburn doesn't really worry so much about describing the history of the field, but rather spends more time just discussing various thinkers' attempts to answer the questions mentioned above. This is a great starting point for anyone who is interested in Philosophy; especially for those with more enthusiasm than time to invest.
Anyone looking to get their feet wet in philosophy would do well to start with this book. Blackburn does an admirable job of laying out various schools and methods of philosophical thought in an easy, straight-forward, introductory manner.
This book would prepare the reader to delve more deeply into the philosophies that interest them most.
My low rating has more to do with myself than the quality of the book. I had always wanted to read more about philosophy and this was my attempt. I discovered that the subject really didn't interest me. Mr. Blackburn covered a wide variety of views in a short time -- most of which seemed to me arcane and pointless.
Blackburn is biased and does not seek to hide it. The book is written from a scientific naturalist perspective and thus argues against the existence of a soul, free will, a God or anything supernatural. I have enjoyed it for its spurred me on to further study and re-awoke an interest in Christian apologetics.
I enjoyed this book. I am just a beginner at Philosophy and study it as a hobby, but this book covers a good variety of topics. I found myself a little confused at the Logic section though and I needed to supplement with other sources of information on logic to get a grasp on the Reasoning side of things but I enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it.
In summary: nothing is certain except that we exist.
It really was a good introduction to philosophy. Didn't always understand some parts, especially when he quotes another philosopher, and just leaves it. But that just may be me. Otherwise, great ideas explored.
It really was a good introduction to philosophy. Didn't always understand some parts, especially when he quotes another philosopher, and just leaves it. But that just may be me. Otherwise, great ideas explored.
It's always astonishing when a person can make us think deeply through words. Wow what a great book. Although I'm influenced by my passion, this book made me really question some thoughts I had. Good work, a big Thank You!!!
A fleur de sel caramel book of philosophy. Digest with ease the deepest ideas of philosophy post-Descartes. But why start with Descartes? Would unwinding it back to Plato be going too far?
I am very impressed with the cohesive blueprint Blackburn has laid out for the reader. Each chapter segues perfectly and all the material is expressed in a way most anyone (with the desire to think) can manage.
It will twist your mind by deep-diving in your thoughts and making you think about your thoughts.
What a logical analysis by Simon Blackburn!!!
Thoughtfully, liked it.
What a logical analysis by Simon Blackburn!!!
Thoughtfully, liked it.
This is the first book I've read on Philosophy. It was a pleasure to read and I intend to re-read it. It fulfills its claim of being a "compelling introduction to Philosophy".
I read this when I was a teenager and took my first interest in philosophy. I don't think I read the whole book, but I did enjoy as much of it as I read.
Fantastic, however some sections did not make sense immediately and i found i had to do some additional reading before i understood them.
Great overview of some major philosophical issues. Wonderfully written - educational and witty. Great read for anyone!
It helps me to understand people. Why they think what they think. It is bizarre at times, but interesting.
Its a very good introduction to various concepts in Western Philosophy....although difficult to understand at some parts,its altogether a very well written book discussing about the contribution of various Great philosophers like Plato,Hume,Lock,Kant,St.Augustine,...
3.5 Stars. Gives a bit too much attention to Hume for a general survey of philosophical topics.
A straightforward read; basic introduction without anything objectionable.
The book that started my fascination with philosophy.
it expands the walls of your understanding...
Good intro to philosophy book.
Great introduction with many compelling arguments and minimal bias opinions.
If you're new to philosophy, read this book. If you're a philosophy professor, make your students read this book. It lays everything out very clearly, concisely, and with a bit of humor. It covers logic, metaphysics, epistemology, free will, etc, and does so fantastically. Even if you're old hat, this is still a great read.
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Simon Blackburn is Bertrand Russell Professor of Philosophy in the University of Cambridge.
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