myrmidex

joined 1 year ago
[–] myrmidex@slrpnk.net 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Do give Russell's History of Western Philosophy a try. It places those books into a much needed context. When I first picked up that book, it was out of a hope to learn more about philosophy, but after finishing it, I only had those three books on my 'definitely must read' list. I know there's a companion book to Das Kapital written by David Harvey, but he's not the easiest to read either. And Marx, omfg, that mofo has a way of dancing around things for pages on end through the most labyrinthine sentences, so I can definitely commiserate! It took me months to get through the whole thing. Luckily I was in the middle of a move, without TV or computer, so that helped a lot :)

[–] myrmidex@slrpnk.net 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Wow perfect, thanks! I'd love to join the book club but I ditched Discord. This Bookwyrm instance will hopefully cure my itch! :)

[–] myrmidex@slrpnk.net 19 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Plato's Republic.

I got really interested by its description in Bertrand Russell's History of Western Philosophy. After reading the book, I realized how arbitrary the setup of current society is. Then I followed it up with More's Utopia and Marx' Das Kapital. A true Big Bang for my political views.

“Every now and then a man’s mind is stretched by a new idea or sensation, and never shrinks back to its former dimensions.” ― Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., Autocrat of the Breakfast Table

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