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50 Philosophy Ideas You Really Need to Know
by
Ben Dupré
Have you ever lain awake at night fretting over how we can be sure of the reality of the external world? Perhaps we are in fact disembodied brains, floating in vats at the whim of some deranged puppet-master? If so, you are not alone - and what's more, you are in exalted company. For this question and other ones like it have been the stuff of philosophical rumination from ...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
2007
by Querclus Publishing Plc
(first published August 2nd 1981)
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I’ve read a few of these fifty essential ideas now and even with the nice big print and quotations in boxes and timelines and all these great ideas bite-sized and right-sized and fun-sized and slipping down my throat like lozenges made of mentholated wisdom, I’m beginning to think that philosophy is bollocks. I already know theology is bollocks. History is bollocks too. Economics is bollocks. Opera is astonishingly expansively expensively convincingly bollocks. Space opera is bollocks everywh...more
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I felt that it was a good book that explained a wide array of thought-provoking and complicated philosophical ideas. Kudos for that.
However, I felt that the book was quite biased in some areas. I felt that the author's own opinions upon these matters were made quite apparent, especially in the conclusions of each idea. In the philosophy of religion section, I felt it was easily to tell that the author did not agree with the ideas put forth and seemed to give a one-sided view on the sub...more
However, I felt that the book was quite biased in some areas. I felt that the author's own opinions upon these matters were made quite apparent, especially in the conclusions of each idea. In the philosophy of religion section, I felt it was easily to tell that the author did not agree with the ideas put forth and seemed to give a one-sided view on the sub...more
How can we be sure of the reality of the external world?
If this question has never crossed your mind, then perhaps you need read no further. On the other hand, if you are intrigued about how people can debate the reality of existence (and why) then this may be just the book to introduce you to some fascinating philosophical ideas.
This book is not an exhaustive exploration of philosophy, nor does it attempt a detailed explanation of the ideas introduced. What it does do, and d...more
If this question has never crossed your mind, then perhaps you need read no further. On the other hand, if you are intrigued about how people can debate the reality of existence (and why) then this may be just the book to introduce you to some fascinating philosophical ideas.
This book is not an exhaustive exploration of philosophy, nor does it attempt a detailed explanation of the ideas introduced. What it does do, and d...more
It's a fairly enjoyable read - potted philosophy at an undergraduate level.
For those who want a more expert potted digest - then, skip this book, and read Simon Blackburn's Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy instead.
Dupre tends to jump to conclusions - fortunately I agreed with nearly all of the conclusions. Others won't agree.
Another downside - the books inevitably omits some major ethical topics,e.g, semiotics, situation ethics, solipsism, or tries inappropriately to...more
For those who want a more expert potted digest - then, skip this book, and read Simon Blackburn's Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy instead.
Dupre tends to jump to conclusions - fortunately I agreed with nearly all of the conclusions. Others won't agree.
Another downside - the books inevitably omits some major ethical topics,e.g, semiotics, situation ethics, solipsism, or tries inappropriately to...more
A great introduction to a lot of the basic ideas of philosophy. The book is broken down into sections of idea that cover topics, such as knowledge, religion, politics and science. Each idea is introduced over four pages, using simple language, examples and history to give an overview. It's an excellent reference for ideas you may want to refresh on, or a starting point to stimulate further reading into a particular area.
Continuing my search for the perfect philosophy concept book, I found this one at Half Priced book - a more intellectual approach than "Philosophy for Dummies." Filled with facts about philosophical ideas, the book meets expectations for thoroughness but wordy and convoluted sentences makes it a tedious, and at times, confusing read. I will keep the search alive!
Pleasantly surprized...the filtering down of 50 ideas into 4 page intelligent laymans text was perfect for skimming over topics in philosophy that every person should think about and discover what lays under their own ideas and opinions about life and beyond. This should be required reading for high school students. Excellent book and glad I read it!!
A fascinating - and more to the point, enjoyable - collection of 50 essays, each spanning 4 pages and accompanied with various sidepanels, quotations and notes. From slippery slopes to the prisoner's dilemma, from the cosmological argument to animal rights, Dupré brings a welcome clarity to questions that we should all care about. If you're looking for an accessible introduction to the ideas of Plato, Descartes, Hume and other influential thinkers throughout history, and if you don't know your c...more
This book is very good at being what you might expect it to be. For being incredibly concise (4 pages per idea) it conveys quite a bit about a great many important and influential ideas. There were definitely many points where I'd think to myself, "I've had this conversation with friends and we wondered if people thought about this." Yes, they do. It's very good with its timelines and citing of sources at directing you where to go for further research and reading so you can better unde...more
A book that had its moments. I think I would have preferred to read the ones on Maths or Physics. As they would be a very good introduction to the subjects difficult or interesting areas.
Its good night time reading.
Its good night time reading.
This is a good book with concepts broken down into four page “chapters” and easy to understand language. I learned a few things, but had heard of most of these items before.
Sort of a "Philosophy for Dummies" book but it did motivate me to try and tackle Bertrand Russell's tome, A history of Western Philosophy.
Good starting point for getting into philosophy. Not in depth, but a nice intro to lots of good questions and ideas.
this book covers all the basics. A great go-to book for any philosophy student.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Parts of this book went WHOOSH over my head, but parts of it really clarified some philosophical ideas I had heard about but never investigated. That having been said each idea is covered only very briefly and it's hard to put a good "pros" & "cons" essay in such a concise space.
But for a introduction to some quite confusing ideas it did a great job and it piqued my interest in followin up some of the ideas and authors quoted/featured.
Parts of it were ...more
But for a introduction to some quite confusing ideas it did a great job and it piqued my interest in followin up some of the ideas and authors quoted/featured.
Parts of it were ...more
excellent review on the brain in the vat, Plato's cave, Cogito Ergo Sum etc.
Ben Dupré’s 50 Philosophy Ideas You Need to Know offers a well-organized primer for those curious about philosophy. Each of the ideas is given four pages, which is mostly adequate to at least introduce the topics although some of the earlier entries, whose concepts are relatively simple, seem further confused and complicated through the effort to fill the required pages. However, by the second third of the book Dupré hits his stride and the descriptions become both informative, easily digestib...more
The very essence of what a coffee table book should be.
I love these types of books as a jumping off point for contemplation and further reading. This one does a nice job in quickly articulating the main ideas (4 pages per concept), and the ideas chosen are, for the most part, varied, interesting and intuitively ordered. I would have loved to see a "suggested reading" box at the end of each section, but then again I guess it's just as easy to google it.
I'd recommend to anyone who has a mild interest in philosophy or anyone who ...more
I'd recommend to anyone who has a mild interest in philosophy or anyone who ...more
I'd suggest this book only to people who already have a good understanding of philosophy. I was pretty lost through a lot of the book, and I found several of the "ideas" kind of boring. Those who only have a passing interest in philosophy should probably pass on this book.
Very interesting, but unlike the 50 Physics Ideas book, it raises more questions than those it answers (I suppose that's the nature of Philosophy).
It would benefit from a more profound approach to each topic (like, 25 ideas and double the pages for each).
It would benefit from a more profound approach to each topic (like, 25 ideas and double the pages for each).
Vengono presentate 50 grandi idee su cui filosofi e uomini comuni si sono arrovellati dall'inizio della storia (e su cui presumibilmente si arrovelleranno fino alla fine).
Si va dalle idee più astratte e lontane dall'attualità (ad esempio il cervello in una vasca) a idee (come la guerra giusta) che possono essere d'aiuto nel farsi un'opionione sui fatti che leggiamo sui giornali.
Consigliabilissimo.
Si va dalle idee più astratte e lontane dall'attualità (ad esempio il cervello in una vasca) a idee (come la guerra giusta) che possono essere d'aiuto nel farsi un'opionione sui fatti che leggiamo sui giornali.
Consigliabilissimo.
An introductory look at some of the common philosophical arguments. Although it's simplified, a good effort has been made to maintain the essence of each idea without bias. I'd recommend this as a good read for anyone with a passing interest who wants some examples of prominent ideas, but for those who have undertaken further philosophical study, treat it as a refresher.
Patrick Higgins
added it
Have you ever had your mind blown? How about getting it blown 50 TIMES IN A ROW!? If not, then read this book. Make sure you have a bottle of Ritalin and Aspirin. This will make you think, a lot.
Very handy for spotting holes in my philosophical knowledge. The best "overview of philosophical ideas" book that I've seen.
This book was just okay. It probably would serve well as a coffee table book, but it wasn't super well written.
This book "demystifies" Western philosophies in laymans terms. Very user friendly!
A great introduction to some basic philosophical ideas.
David
marked it as to-read
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