Recommendations for introductions to philosophy?

[Cnev]

I know you asked for texts, and I apologize for not suggesting such. But, Stephen West's podcast "Philosophize This!" is wonderful for what you are looking for. He's is very articulate, but quite funny and presents in a way that feels like you're having a light-hearted but very informative conversation with a really smart friend over a few beers. It's also completely free, which is awesome for cheap asses like myself. Love it!

Philosophize This!

He's also on Spotify and Youtube.

[miguel1984]

I have a Spanish edition of Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy by Simon Blackburn in my house, but I have not read it. Is it any good?

[xylokopos]

Stu, one can only assume you are hard at work perfecting your knowledge of German and pre-Classical Greek, so you can immerse yourself in Die Fragmente der Vorsokratiker. But in case you are familiar with Diels' work, there is also Kirk and Raven on the Presocratics. Then, for Socrates and the Sophists, Guthrie is good. At this point, you can pick up Durant's History, if I recall correctly, it begins with Plato. I probably also used Russell's overview at some point, but cannot recommend as I don't really remember. I also don't remember which dictionaries and encyclopedias of philosophy I used during my studies, though I do remember my father had one philosophical dictionary published by the Soviet Academy of Sciences, a good laugh that one.

I promise to be more useful when I find time to return to this topic. In the meantime, you can also check the Thread for Specific Philosophers and/or Philosophical Movements started by Michael.

[Pharpetron]

I'll join the chorus of those praising Tarnas' The Passion of the Western Mind. It's the introductory book I always recommend to anyone who wants an overview of the whole tradition of Western philosophy. While I can't say I feel any sympathy for the jarring New Age ending of the book, it's still the best overview out there.

Scruton's Modern Philosophy is quite good for those wishing to see what the territory looks like from the point of view of a conservative adherent of the analytic stream, but I'd save it for after reading Tarnas.

[teguififthzeal]

"Guide For The Perplexed", E.F. Schumacher

[MTC]

My own introduction to philosophy was to simply read actual works of philosophy recommended to me by teachers, friends and associates. I've read and enjoyed works by Hegel, Nietzsche, Bataille, Adorno, Deleuze, and others. I've never really felt I needed secondary works to help me understand these writers. I think in reading philosophy the best introduction is yourself and the situation you are in.

Nevertheless, for a contemporary introductory text I would nominate Boris Groys: Introduction to Antiphilosophy, which is excellent.