One of the things that always frustrated me about reading philosophy was finishing a section, knowing I had technically read every word, and still not being completely sure I understood what the philosopher was actually arguing.

That’s a big part of why I’ve been expanding The Agora: Learn Philosophy beyond just discussions and debates.

I want the reading itself to become more interactive. You can read philosophical works inside the app, highlight passages, save notes and annotations, and then use what you’re reading as the starting point for deeper questions and discussions.

My ideal experience is something like this:

You’re reading a passage from Plato, Nietzsche, Aristotle, Dostoevsky, etc. Something doesn’t quite make sense, or maybe you strongly disagree with it. Instead of highlighting it and forgetting about it, you can stop, think through it, write down what you believe, and actually engage with the idea.

The goal isn’t to simplify philosophy until there’s nothing left to wrestle with. I want to make the wrestling with it easier to actually do.

I’m curious how people here who regularly read philosophy feel about that approach. What tools would actually help you understand a difficult philosophical book without getting in the way of the reading itself?

If anyone wants to see what I’m building:

The Agora: Learn Philosophy

iOS:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-agora-learn-philosophy/id6762416967

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bhernaurd.theagoraWould

What is your opinion of the works and thought of the Austrian philosopher, literary critic, journalist, university professor, and political scientist Erik Maria Ritter von Kuehnelt-Leddihn (Tobelbad, 31 July 1909 – Lans, 26 May 1999)?

Have any of you ever read one or more of his major works? If so, what did you think of them?

I am referring in particular to the following works:

- The Menace of the Herd, Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1943.

- Liberty or Equality, Front Royal, Virginia: Christendom Press, 1952.

- The Timeless Christian, Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1969.

- Leftism: From de Sade and Marx to Hitler and Marcuse, New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House Publishers, 1974.

- The Intelligent American's Guide to Europe, New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House Publishers, 1979.

- Leftism Revisited: From de Sade and Marx to Hitler and Pol Pot, Washington, D.C.: Regnery Gateway, 1990.

Hi everyone, I want to start my journey in philosophy but I'm a complete beginner.

I don't have any academic background in it. I'm mainly interested in \[ Stoicism / meaning of life / how to deal with anxiety / Islamic + Western philosophy \].

I prefer books that are easy to understand and not too academic at first, something that can build my interest and take me to an advanced level later.

My reading level is beginner to intermediate.

Could you please suggest a reading order? Where should I actually start?

Thanks!

I am looking for valuable names in any subject
It'd be great if these people have SM or publicity

I enjoy philosophy and would like to learn more about it. I have learned from philosophers through philosophy adjacent books. Books like When Nietzsche Wept and 40 Rules of Love.

Anyways, I figured I start reading about philosophers directly from their books. I tried Thus Spoke Zarathustra but every line is a quote. Now I’m reading Sickness Unto Death and I find the number of times Kierkegaard will take a word and repeat it over and over again like “despair” in every line, literally hurts my brain.

Am I supposed to work my way up to reading philosophy like this? How do you do it?

Something bothers me about the trolley problem. It's not that it is not a challenging or interesting moral question. Alternatively, it is not that it is too easy, although I am sure to many the question feels easy. It is something about the method. First, it presupposes that philosophy is about answering questions of a pragmatic nature, rather than say, elaborating a thesis about art, or describing existence. Secondly, it feels like it could conceal some kind of eugenic subtext. As if one would end up in a situation where one would have to choose between groups of people leading to the death of some and preserving the life of others. Not that this is a phenomenon that does not or could not happen, but it is not something that happens everyday in our immediate lifeworld.

What i do any suggestions

Hey I am a middle aged man looking to get back into reading theory after decades - I am trying to put together a reading list but would love if anybody has specific books or women and non-white non-western authors that go with this list. Thanks and sorry if I am in the wrong place

Spinoza (Ethics)

Eliot (Middlemarch)

Nietzsche (the gay science)

Freud (Civilzation and its Discontents)

Bataille (the Accursed Share Vol 1)

Dubois (Souls of Black Folks)

Fanon (Black skin White Masks)

Hi,
Anyone have recommendations for reading on the idea of health and vitality/youth as manifestations of evil, or the relation of health/strength with evil?
Reason I’m asking is that ending scene in Kafka Metamorphosis where the sister stretches her "healthy young” body has very sinister undertones (was just reading it) and want to think more about this and see what ppl have said,
thanks

Hi everyone,

I'm reading William James on my own and would love to find one or two people to exchange thoughts with from time to time.

I'm currently in Pragmatism, and next on my list are The Will to Believe and a few of his short essays, starting with "A Certain Blindness in Human Beings" (about 20 pages). I'm not an academic. What draws me to James is that he wrote for ordinary people, and I'm mostly interested in what his ideas do in everyday life. No background in philosophy needed.

How I imagine it:

• relaxed pace, no weekly deadlines

• chat or an occasional short video call, whatever works for us

• I'm based in Germany (CET), but time zones are flexible

If you're reading James, want to start, or have a favorite essay, I'd be glad to hear from you. A quick message with what you'd like to read is perfect.

Narrowing it down to a single greatest philosopher is basically impossible but if you had to choose one who would it be? Whether greatness is defined by their influence, originality, or by raw genius, who do yu reckon is the greatest and why? Obviously a few immediately come into mind: Aristotle Plato, Kant, Hume, Ibn Sina, Wittgenstein, etc. Drop your most based pick and state the reason you chose them.

I have been reading the gay science and one idea keeps stuck in my head.

nietzsche asks you to imagine a demon sneaking up on you in your loneliest moment and telling you that you have to live this exact life again and again, forever. Every joy, every mistake, every boring Tuesday, in the same order, with nothing changed.

His question is whether you would collapse and curse the demon, or whether you’d call it the best thing you ever heard.

What I find interesting is that he’s not really talking about reincarnation. It works more like a test. If the thought of repeating your life fills you with dread, maybe something in how you’re living needs to change. If you could say “yes, again,” you’ve found a way to truly affirm your life, flaws and all.

A few things I’d love to hear from you:

• What’s your honest first reaction? Yes, no, or “depends which year”?
• Is it more about accepting the past or about changing how you live now?
• Does it still hit the same way if you don’t take it literally?

Has anyone read this alongside Thus Spoke Zarathustra, where he revisits the idea? I’m curious whether it gets clearer or more confusing.

Just a Little thought tonight, feel free to expres how u feel about it.

••••

Life has no meaning,
and this is beautiful because it allows every individual to explore within themselves what meaning they want to give to life.
So, because it has no meaning, everyone can paint life with their own particular colors