Introductory books on philosophy

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PadraigPearce

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I’m not sure if I should post this here or in the books forum, but can anyone recommend some good introductory material on Catholic philosophy, particularly on Thomism? I have Jacques Maritain’s Introduction to Philosophy and Peter Kreeft’s Shorter Summa, and I’m slogging through both of them, but even with those I feel I’m missing some background understanding. I’m not looking for anything too simplistic, but I find that even a lot of introductory material presumes the reader has some grounding in philosophy. Oh, and preferably something available on Amazon or at Chapters.

Thanks
 
PadraigPearce said:
I’m not sure if I should post this here or in the books forum, but can anyone recommend some good introductory material on Catholic philosophy, particularly on Thomism? I have Jacques Maritain’s Introduction to Philosophy and Peter Kreeft’s Shorter Summa, and I’m slogging through both of them, but even with those I feel I’m missing some background understanding. I’m not looking for anything too simplistic, but I find that even a lot of introductory material presumes the reader has some grounding in philosophy. Oh, and preferably something available on Amazon or at Chapters.

Thanks
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Talk about “slogging through” books on philosophy, I’ve been “slogging” for awhile now, but I can only read in short bursts of time due to my busy schedule. However, I find 2 books based on Thomism fruitful. One is more readable while the other is more of a textbook (suggested by a very knowledgable poster). You might start with A First Glance at St. Thomas Aquinas–A Handbook For Peeping Thomists by Ralph McInerny (I believe he was a long-time philosophy instructor at Notre Dame U.). It’s easier to read but shallow (because it’s purpose is introductory) compared to the text which goes much deeper into philosophical waters. The title is The General Science of Nature. I’m trying to catch up with the learning I missed in college. Great expectations!!! It’s more difficult outside a classroom situation, but reading on my own is the best I can do for now. (Of course I’m also learning by reading the scholarly posts on this forum). Maybe you’ll find these possibilities worthwhile. I’m sure there are many, many more. Good luck and God bless.

4Horsemen 🙂
 
PadraigPearce said:
I’m not sure if I should post this here or in the books forum, but can anyone recommend some good introductory material on Catholic philosophy, particularly on Thomism? I have Jacques Maritain’s Introduction to Philosophy and Peter Kreeft’s Shorter Summa, and I’m slogging through both of them, but even with those I feel I’m missing some background understanding. I’m not looking for anything too simplistic, but I find that even a lot of introductory material presumes the reader has some grounding in philosophy. Oh, and preferably something available on Amazon or at Chapters.

Thanks
Click to expand...
I think its a great evil that there are not more books out there for those who find it a bit more difficult to understand then others. I’m a slow learner. I have to reflect on things for along time before i truly understand it. It doesn’t help when people use technical jargon. Thats not to say I’m not intelligent. I just take a bit more time. I have struggled for years trying to understand Aquinas and other philosophers.

Well…Have you heard of “Horrigan”?

He has some great material on the basics of philosophy, metaphysics, knowledge, and Thomas. When i say basics, he provides you with everything you need in order to grow and understand, as-long as you are willing to motivate yourself to learn. I’m often cuaght up in a struggle against the sloth-goblins when it comes to learning.
Plus its free. But…I only know that he has free “electronic books” on a website. I know you don’t like that.

I will post the link in about ten minutes. The site might do real copies.
 
G.K. Chesterton’s *Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Dumb Ox *is a very good introduction to Thomism; it is also available online, I think, for free. However, used book stores always have it inexpensively.
 
read the BIBLE instead of your blasphomus phiosophy books.
 
Sophies world. Very simple introduction in a “novel” but accurate form of human philosophy.

Cheers
Dame
 
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