Episteme

Great topic. I own an early edition of Brittanica’s great books, you might want to check out that list too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Books_of_the_Western_World

Each one I read becomes an absolute favorite but the all time must read for me so far is “War and Peace”. Other favorites: Discourse on Method by Descartes and The Law by Bastiat (not usually on great books lists, but represents a large body of liberal thought from the 19th century). I’m working on the Brothers Karamazov right now, which I think you would like.

“The Hero with a Thousand Faces” – Joseph Campbell “The Elements of Style” – Strunk & White

Walden Tale of Genji (I can’t believe this isn’t on that list)

I own the 60-book Brittanica’s set, as well as the 100 greatest books from the Franklin Library (gorgeous books, not considered estate collectibles, they still are leather covered with 24 karat gilt edges and good paper, pleasurable to read). I consider those 2 sets as an acceptable “core” of a private library for anyone who wants to have a semblance of a Renaissance education, liberally assisted with additional texts.

“Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand should be on the list. Great idea though — I love to read and there are so many good books out there.

Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance.

Strange, I was going to recommend some Joseph Campbell, too. I thought “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” was out of print?

As far as I know, all of Campbell’s works that have been in print still are. There are a lot of books, and quite a few videos, too. Of real interest is the interview he did with Bill Moyer titled “The Power of Myth.” Check Amazon.

I don’t know how I missed this post, but it is an excellent one.

I looked the linked article though, and think that it would be beneficial to structure some of these points in such a way that show a progression of thoughts. For example, to attack Kierkergaard’s Either/Or you would really like to have Hegel’s Phenomenology down, which requires Critique of Pure Reason, which is a result of Berkeley + Descartes + Malabranche…..

And for what it’s worth for Descartes’ Meditations not to be there is a glaring omission.

For the record, Rand never said anything interesting that Aristotle or Nietzsche didn’t say before she did ( as much as she makes a big noise about NOT being a Nietzschean ). And don’t try to convince me she has a coherent moral theory either, I know what happened after a certain heiress scratched her marble fireplace.

BTW. Buy hardback.

I should like to mention the need to venture away from philosophy, once in a while, and to stay current in maintaining the structure of society, one can do no harm and great good by getting familiar with sciences.

I have a few books concerning nuclear, molecular, atomic and quantum physics(most of which blend), and a few on water treatment and distribution.

Just thought I’d throw in a category to see what other’s thought about it.

What is higher thought worth when a civilization cannot last to speak the conclusions, both truths and lies?

-=T=-