SHPL- Staff Picks

Each month, two or more staff members share their favorite books and/or web sites. Enjoy!

Staff Picks

Jan Farrace

Adult Services Librarian

Philosophy... for Everyone 

Most people think that philosophy is for lofty thinkers and those preoccupied with the “big picture.” However, we don’t have to be a rocket scientists or geniuses to explore fundamental questions about our lives. Plato stated that “Philosophy Begins in Wonder.” We can ask basic but probing questions about what it is to be human and how to live life with the most satisfaction. What does it mean to live a good life? What is justice? What is the nature of good and evil? What is the meaning of existence? These concerns are universal among all people.

The library is a good place to start your study of philosophy. There are introductory titles to familiarize one with basic concepts, glossaries and lists of further reading. Dictionaries and encyclopedias provide an introduction to terminology of thoughts and thinkers. There are titles that expand on the lives and beliefs of philosophers throughout history. The studies of world philosophy compare different parts of the world and how philosophies there are formed. Contemporary titles apply philosophical beliefs to some of the best loved books, plays and ideas of our day. Websites offer a wealth of information as well. The following are selected titles among many in the library to get one started in the subject:

BOOKS

Introduction to Philosophy

Constructing a Life Philosophy: Opposing Viewpoints (100 C) presents debate on various life issues to stimulate critical thinking and challenges the reader to examine their own opinions.

Philosophy Made Simple by Richard Popkin  (100 P) is described as “an introduction to the ideas and themes that make up the study of thought.”

The Twenty Greatest Philosophy Books: An Essential Guide by James Garvey (190 G) is a list of must-read books from the whole history of philosophical writing.

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy (R 100 CON). 

101 Key Ideas, Philosophy by Paul Oliver (100 OLI) is a succinct pocket guide of terminology in the field.

A World of Ideas: A Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs and Thinkers by Chris Rohmann  (103 R) is a volume of more than 400 entries in the sciences, arts and social sciences.

Philosophers 

One Hundred Philosophers: The Life and Work of the World’s Greatest Thinkers by Peter J. King  (190 KIN contains chronologies of world events to put the thinkers and thought into a historical context.

One Hundred Twentieth-Century Philosophers (190.9 ONE).

Philosophy, 100 Essential Thinkers by Philip Stokes (190 S) includes thinkers who are not seen primarily as philosophers. Examples of this coverage include Darwin and Einstein whose ideas critically impacted world thought.

World Philosophy

From Africa to Zen: An Invitation to World Philosophy  (109 F) covers non-Western philosophical traditions with comparative essays authored by leading scholars in the field.

Masterpieces of World Philosophy (100 M) is described  as covering  “nearly 100 classics of the world’s greatest philosophers, analyzed and explained.”

The Story of Philosophy: The Essential Guide to the History of Western Philosophy by Bryan Magee (190 MAG) highlights cultural, social and historical events and personalities in the Western philosophical tradition.

Contemporary Philosophy

Astonish Yourself! 101 Experiments in the Philosophy of Everyday Life by Roger-Pol Droit (100 D) is an unusual look at philosophy that asks the reader to do exercises to explore common situations and the preconceived notions that most individuals have about them.

The Pig That Wants to be Eaten: 100 Experiments for the Armchair Philosopher by Julian Baggini (100 BAG) is described as a book of philosophical puzzles about dilemmas: personal, social and moral. The reader is encouraged to find their own solutions by applying philosophical questions.

Shakespeare’s Philosophy: Discovering the Meaning Behind the Plays by Colin McGinn (100 M).

What Would Socrates Say? Philosophers Answer Your Questions about Love, Nothingness, and Everything Else (100 WHAT) is a compilation from the website AskPhilosophers.org of the many relevant Q&As found there with explanations by contributing professors.

The Popular Culture and Philosophy Series:

Bob Dylan and Philosophy: It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Thinking) (100 B).

The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy: the Lion, the Witch and the Worldview  (100 CHR).

Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts (100 HAR).

The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy: One Book to Rule Them All (100 L).

Seinfeld and Philosophy: A Book about Everything and Nothing (100 SEI).

Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful Than You Can Possibly Imagine (100 STA).

Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice, and the Socratic Way (100 S).

Woody Allen and Philosophy: You Mean My Whole Fallacy is Wrong? (100 Woo).

©2006 Sterling Heights Public Library. The Sterling Heights Public Library is responsible only for those pages bearing the Sterling Heights Public Library name and or logo. The Library is not responsible for the content, accuracy or availability of any external sites linked to these pages.