A Stroll Through Philosophical Milestones: A Suggested Reading Order

Exploring the works of great philosophers can be a profoundly enriching journey. This article outlines a suggested order to immerse yourself in some of the most influential thinkers from ancient to contemporary philosophy.

Introduction to the Golden Age of Philosophy

For those beginning their journey through philosophy, it is crucial to focus on the period around 1900. This decade, spanning between 1880 and 1920, is often referred to as the 'Golden Age of Philosophy'. In this era, many of the foundational intellectual frameworks of modern philosophy were established, and several influential thinkers contributed to the field. Notable philosophers include Gottlob Frege, Bertrand Russell, Alfred North Whitehead, G.E. Moore, and Charles Peirce, among others. This era also includes significant figures from the East, such as Sri Aurobindo Ghose and Nishida Kitaro.

A Suggested Reading List

Below is a suggested order to introduce you to key philosophical ideas gradually, moving from ancient to modern philosophy:

Ancient Philosophy (ca. 4th century BCE - 5th century CE)

Plato Aristotle

Begin your journey with Plato's The Republic for his profound insights on justice and the ideal state. Moving on to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and Politics will further deepen your understanding of virtue ethics and political philosophy.

Medieval Philosophy (ca. 5th century - 15th century)

St. Augustine St. Thomas Aquinas

Read Confessions by St. Augustine to gain insight into the personal encounter with faith and reason. St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica offers a masterful synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy.

Renaissance Philosophy (14th - 17th century)

Machiavelli Descartes

Turn to Machiavelli's The Prince for a pragmatic view on power and politics. Meditations on First Philosophy by Descartes introduces fundamental questions of existence and knowledge.

Early Modern Philosophy (16th - 18th century)

Hobbes Locke Rousseau

Hobbes' Leviathan discusses social contract theory and the nature of human beings. Locke's Two Treatises of Government explores natural rights and government legitimacy. Rousseau's The Social Contract delves into freedom and equality in society.

19th Century Philosophy (18th - 19th century)

Kant Hegel Nietzsche

Engage with Kant's Critique of Pure Reason and Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals to explore epistemology and ethics. Phenomenology of Spirit by Hegel introduces dialectical thinking. Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra and Beyond Good and Evil challenge traditional morality and philosophy.

20th Century Philosophy (20th century)

Wittgenstein Heidegger Sartre

Dive into Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations for a deep exploration of language and meaning. Read Heidegger's Being and Time to investigate existence and being. Finally, study Sartre's Being and Nothingness to engage with existentialist themes.

Contemporary Philosophy (20th - 21st century)

Foucault Derrida

Conclude with Foucault's Discipline and Punish to examine power and social institutions. Derrida's Of Grammatology introduces deconstruction and critiques traditional metaphysics.

Tips for Reading

Take Notes: Jot down key ideas and your reflections to help with comprehension and retention. Discuss with Others: Engaging with a community can deepen your understanding and provide new perspectives. Be Patient: Some texts are dense and may require multiple readings. Take your time to fully grasp the concepts.

This order is not definitive, and you can adjust it based on your interests and goals. Enjoy exploring the profound insights of these great thinkers and the journeys they embarked upon in philosophy.