(Other than Animal Liberation.) As well as specisism, zoology, and it’d be great if it was a mix of reflections of an specialist on animal behavior, a philosopher on morality, and a historian of how societies are built on morals. That´d be *💋 🤌 * chefs kiss

Or, you know, anything you might found interesting

The Socratic Circle on Patreon is happy to announce that our seventh book club program will feature David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion and that its first session will be held on Monday, December 2nd, from 7:30-8:30pm ET, with three additional meetings on the three successive Mondays (the 9th, 16th, and 23rd). The sessions will be held over Zoom (the Zoom information will be provided on Patreon). Book club programs are open to all members of the Patreon, including free members. If you are not yet a member of The Socratic Circle on Patreon, please join us--we just passed the 150-member mark!

www.Patreon.com/TheSocraticCircle

Here's the link to the book program schedule: https://www.patreon.com/posts/book-program-7-116423132

See you 'round The Circle!

--Matt :)

I got this book around the early half of the year, was interested to know about the thinking behind math equations. What I did not realise when I got the book, it was very technical for a casual reader like me. Just wanted to know what I should know about before reading the book.

https://youtu.be/C4kZXKI7bck?si=2Qy46RhiD3dWfBGW

Hello everyone.

You guys probably get these kinds of posts a lot, so i apologies, but i just needed some guidence and thought that this might be the place.

At 12 i discovered the podcast "philosophize this!" and it blew my mind, as i have always been every interested in existential questions. I already have some basic knowlegde on philosophy but i still want to learn more.

So far i have been thinking about reading some of kants, sartres and other classic philosophers books, but i dont know where to start and with what.

(my favorite author of all time is Fernando Pessoa, but im not sure if that might help you)

We’ve been conditioned to think that everything must have meaning. It's common, almost ingrained, in our society. Look around—everything seems to serve a purpose. From a young age, we’re surrounded by things designed to fulfill specific roles, and this environment subtly conditions us. Over time, we start believing that life itself must also have a defined purpose.

But if you spend your life searching for an exact purpose, you may never find it. It’s possible that searching for the purpose of life becomes your purpose. Yet, at the end of this search, you may be left only with regret and little time to live without it.

Purpose applies to things pre-designed, like gadgets, which are created to fulfill specific functions. Life, however, unfolds moment by moment, each instant a new and unplanned experience. Perhaps we think of ourselves too highly, imagining that, since each of us was born against trillions of odds, there must be a purpose behind it all.

But life is more like a series of coincidences; we are fragments of those coincidences. Imagine holding a handful of grains and dropping them on the ground. Each grain falls in a random position—you didn’t choose those spots, yet each grain ends up in a specific place nonetheless.

There’s no destiny, no pre-written plan. Right now, in this moment, you can choose any purpose for your life. Why waste time searching? Just enjoy your life without overthinking. Don’t stress about defining your life’s purpose. Do what makes you feel alive. If you’re in the middle of an exam and feel like writing an essay on “the purpose of life,” then write it if that’s what brings you joy.

It may sound counterintuitive, but if you occasionally let go of thoughts about the future or the past, you’ll find you can actually savor each moment. Who knows if this "silly boy" will still be around by the time exam results are out? So don’t worry about what’s happening around you. Keep your mind light; sing, dance, and enjoy every bit of life as it comes.

hello! i am looking for a book that will teach me all about love, and explore the complexity of human relationships :’)

something that can perhaps answer these questions i have:

• what is love if not embracing the sharp edges of a person. do you truly love something if you don’t accept the ugly parts of it?

• does love hurt as much as love heals? can love be as ugly as it is beautiful?

• can love can be the root of uglier emotions, or is it obsession. where do we draw the line? what truly is love?

• when something hurts us, it only hurts us because we value it so deeply. when we feel lonely, we only feel it so deep in our bones after we know what true connection is.

• can love sometimes make way to the worst of you just as much as it can make way to the best of you — e.g. when our loved one is hurt, how are we to sit and not seethe in rage?

• is it true that love has never been about possession? but when we love something you think it’s mine to care for, mine to tend to, mine to love. so can love take root in jealousy?

• to love is not to mutually destroy, but when you love do you let yourself be ruined? when does it become too much?

• how much of a person do i hold for it to be love?

i would prefer for the writing of the book to be beautiful and heartfelt.

a book i like so far since starting on is “all about love” by bell hooks.

i am a huge fan of japanese literature.

so i hope this is not a repetitive question. anyway as the title suggests i am looking for absolute beginner books in philosophy. i am completely new to it and would like to start from the foundation. also i would like to read something that's an easy read without too much jargon or hard to understand words. would love your suggestions!

THE SOCRATIC CIRCLE on PATREON Announcement: www.Patreon.com/TheSocraticCircle

The Philosophy of Science Discussion Group will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, October 23rd, from 7:30-8:30pm ET. (Reminder: Discussion Groups are open to all tier-level members; membership begins at $3/month.)

We will discuss chapters 1-3 of Carl Hempel's classic Philosophy of Natural Science. Here's a link to a free PDF of the book:

http://www.thatmarcusfamily.org/philosophy/Course_Websites/Readings/Hempel%20-%20Philosophy%20of%20Natural%20Science.pdf

After we read Hempel's book (probably three to four meetings) to get a sense of what the philosophy of science was like circa 1966, we will read Thomas Kuhn's famous The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Below, you will find the link to a PDF of a philosophy of science anthology of readings. I'm sure we will dip into it at some point, as well.

https://ebookppsunp.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/46121900-the-philosophy-of-science-1.pdf

--Matt :)

Hi Reddit, my name is A A Aydin, and I’ve been exploring a new way of thinking about time, space, and the origins of the universe. I’d love to share this theory with you and see how scientists and thinkers in this community view it.

Alternate Realities and the Sphere Paradox

Imagine a scenario where we live inside a reflective sphere, filled with water. In this environment, we could move in every direction, and due to the mirrors, we’d see infinite versions of ourselves. This setting mimics the idea of parallel universes, where every movement we make could be mirrored by countless versions of ourselves.

Now, think of this on a cosmic scale: what if our world moves forward in time while a parallel version of our world moves backward? Could this explain the nature of parallel universes, where every forward movement in time creates an opposite version moving in reverse?

Your Anti-Self and Time Symmetry

In this theory, I propose that if we move forward in time, our anti-selves move backward. If we were to meet at a crossing point—let’s call it the X point—this meeting of two contradictory timelines could be the cause of an explosion. Could this paradoxical meeting be similar to the Big Bang? Could this meeting of forward and backward time be the origin of the universe, where all energy was concentrated before exploding outward?

Dimensional Movement in Time

I suggest that time, like space, might have multiple directions. While we experience time as a one-way street (moving forward), there could be alternate directions in time that we simply don’t perceive. For every direction in space—up, down, forward, backward, diagonal—there could be corresponding directions in time.

In this case, if we move forward in time, a parallel version of us could be moving backward, upward, downward, and in every other direction possible. We only experience one version because we are limited by our perception, but there may be infinite versions of us, all moving through different axes of time.

Infinite Selves, Matter, and Antimatter Collisions

If we imagine ourselves moving infinitely around a sphere, meeting our backward-moving selves at the X point, this could result in a massive release of energy—much like the Big Bang. The energy generated by this paradoxical meeting could create mass out of nothingness, just as energy converts into mass through E=mc².

Now, consider the interaction between matter and antimatter: when these two meet, they annihilate each other, releasing massive amounts of energy. If our forward-moving selves represent matter, and our backward-moving selves represent antimatter, their collision at the X point could lead to the release of pure energy. This energy might then condense into new matter and create the building blocks of the universe.

New Universes Through Multiverse Collisions

Finally, let’s expand this to the multiverse: if there are infinite versions of the universe, what would happen if they all collided? Would this result in a massive explosion of energy that creates new realities, new mass, or even new timelines? The meeting of infinite universes could be an ongoing process of creation and destruction, where the energy released from these collisions is used to fuel new realities, much like how the Big Bang is thought to have created our universe.

• A A Aydin

This theory builds on the idea that time and space might have multiple directions and that through the paradoxical meeting of forward and backward movements, we could generate pure energy, create new mass, and even fuel the ongoing creation of the universe itself. I’m excited to see how this theory resonates with you all, and I’m eager to hear thoughts from those in the scientific community.

Just started reading Beyond good and evil and im curious why Neitzsche seems so bitter did something happen to him that made him dislike other philosophers so much?

I'm taking up political philosophy class in my graduate studies this semester where we're reading Rousseau's The Social Contract (and Locke's Second Treatise).

What reading guide and/or supplementary readings would you recommend to help me understand The Social Contract on both a synthetic level and analytic level?

I currently have a list of texts I'm interested in getting to, but I'm willing to work with people on getting a book we all like. I can develop a Discord channel as well for this.

I am into any philosophy really. Recently, I have read some Kant, Kierkegaard, and Becker. One book I'm interested in reading in John Rawls's A Theory of Justice, as an idea.

I'm also interested in getting into some philosophical novels like Metamorphosis, The Stranger, etc. I can read as fast or slow as needed really but right now I'd aim for a pace of 1-2 hours or 25-50 pages per day.

Thanks.

I wanna start reading philosophy books, so which books do you suggest to a total newbie. My friend recommended me to start with The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus, is it a good choice? Also can you tell me what to expect from philosophy reading. Thanks!!

PS: ignore grammatical mistakes, english is not my first language

By modern let’s go with post-war; 1945-current day.

Are there any authors of modern political thought that are worth reading (i.e. not just pundits selling a book)

We discussed Thomas Hobbes in class today, and it piqued my curiosity and interest in his style of thinking. I've known him for a while and understand much of what he talks about, but where do I even begin as I've never read any of his writings?

While I agree with the author, I’d like to venture out and learn about opposite points of view.

What I don’t want to read is some CEOs hot takes on philosophy and economics, though.

Which authors/books would you recommend to read to understand positions favoring/defending meritocracy?

Thanks!

hi I’m a recent school leaver with a gap year ahead of me and I’m super interested into getting into philosophy and don’t know where to start! I’ve watch YouTube videos on the types of philosophy and periods and found my self more attracted to the enlightenment period than early philosophers but I’d like to get to know a range of topics and ideas and because of the internet (and I’m dyslexic) I do have the attention span of a fly so the more easily read (to start with) would be super helpful.

thanks!

In "Ego is the Enemy," Ryan Holiday delves into the intricate relationship between ego and the human experience, asserting that ego serves as a formidable barrier to personal and professional growth. The narrative unfolds in three pivotal sections: aspiration, success, and failure, each illuminating the insidious nature of ego in various stages of life.

In the realm of aspiration, Holiday articulates the necessity of humility and self-awareness as foundational virtues for anyone striving toward their goals. He posits that unchecked ambition can manifest as a form of hubris, blinding individuals to their limitations and the areas ripe for improvement. This blind spot, he argues, cultivates an environment where learning becomes stifled, as ego demands a façade of invulnerability. Instead, he advocates for a posture of receptivity—an embrace of mentorship and a commitment to the process of growth. This approach underscores a philosophical understanding that true aspiration is not merely about achieving one's desires but engaging in a continual journey of self-discovery and intellectual humility.

Transitioning to the theme of success, Holiday warns of the corrosive effects that accompany achievement when viewed through the lens of ego. He highlights how success can breed complacency and overconfidence, distorting one's perception and leading to decisions that prioritize self-interest over collective wisdom. This phenomenon is deeply philosophical, reflecting the paradox of success; the very accomplishments that should inspire gratitude and reflection can instead foster a disconnection from reality. Holiday implores readers to remain grounded, to cultivate an ongoing commitment to personal development, and to acknowledge the interconnectedness of their achievements with the efforts of others. This perspective challenges the individualistic narrative often celebrated in society, advocating instead for a more communal understanding of success that honors collaboration and shared experiences.

In the exploration of failure, Holiday contemplates the ways in which ego exacerbates setbacks, often rendering individuals incapable of gleaning valuable lessons from their missteps. The refusal to confront one's vulnerabilities, he argues, stifles the ability to learn and adapt, transforming failure into a cycle of self-reproach rather than a catalyst for growth. Here, he emphasizes the philosophical principle of resilience—an acceptance of one's limitations and an openness to critique. This dialogue between failure and growth underscores a fundamental truth: that true strength lies in vulnerability and the willingness to embrace discomfort as a pathway to transformation.

Throughout "Ego is the Enemy," Holiday employs historical anecdotes and personal reflections to elucidate his arguments, weaving a narrative that is both compelling and profound. He challenges readers to transcend the allure of ego, advocating for a life characterized by humility, discipline, and an unwavering pursuit of knowledge. Ultimately, the book serves as a philosophical treatise on the necessity of overcoming ego as a means to achieve genuine fulfillment and to navigate the complexities of existence with grace and wisdom.

Hi there, just wondering if anyone has any book recommendations or any type of resources to understand how anything exists? Thank you.

Books defining oppression, social and economic exploitation, and discrimination

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all very well

I'm looking for (introductory) or comprehensive books analysing the concept of oppression, social and economic exploitation, and discrimination, primarily engaging (moral) philosophers, political theorists, or/and social scientists. It doesn't matter if the books are ideologically biased or politically leaning towards the left or the right, or even a more comprehensive analysis from both sides.

I just want to understand what is really unjust when using words like oppression, imposition, alienation, exploitation, social misrecognition, social pathology, etc.

Guys, I have always been interested in philosophy, and I have read quite a few things on my own, but I really want to deep dive into this philosophical world and read more about different types of ideologies and morals, and just in depth about this subject and the worst part is that I am in a reading slump right now, so I need something really, really gut trenching and life altering to bring me back on track so if any of you have any suggestions like that, that would be great. Thankyou 🩵