#70 Philosophize This! - A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy

The book begins with Sophie Amundsen, a 14-year-old Norwegian girl, who starts a correspondence course in philosophy after receiving mysterious letters and packages. She is taught by the philosopher Alberto Knox, who guides her through the history of Western philosophy, from pre-Socratic thinkers to Jean-Paul Sartre. As Sophie delves deeper into philosophy, she uncovers a complex narrative involving another girl, Hilde, and her father, Albert Knag, who is the author of the philosophical manuscript. The story intertwines philosophy with a meta-fictional plot, where Sophie and Alberto eventually escape Knag's imagination and enter a new existence as spirits, interacting weakly with the real world.

In this book, Bertrand Russell delves into the core problems of philosophy, particularly focusing on epistemology. He examines the distinction between appearance and reality, the nature of matter, and the types of knowledge we can have. Russell introduces concepts such as 'sense-data' and contrasts them with physical objects, questioning the existence of external objects independent of our perception. He also discusses the theories of various philosophers, including Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, and others, to lay the foundation for philosophical inquiry. The book emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and the value of philosophy in challenging common sense and habitual beliefs.

Published in 1942, 'The Stranger' tells the story of Meursault, a Frenchman living in Algiers, who is characterized by his emotional detachment and apathy. The novel begins with Meursault's indifferent reaction to his mother's death and follows his journey through a series of events, including a senseless murder, which leads to his trial and sentencing. Camus uses Meursault's story to illustrate his philosophy of the absurd, highlighting the lack of inherent meaning in life and the importance of accepting and living with this reality. The novel also explores the tensions between French colonialists and native Algerians, reflecting Camus's own experiences and critiques of colonialism.

In 'The Outsider,' Colin Wilson examines the psyche of the Outsider through the lives and works of various literary and cultural figures such as Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Hermann Hesse, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The book delves into the Outsider's experience of dislocation and his struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems devoid of it. Wilson argues that the Outsider is a metaphysical man who seeks a transcending meaning and purpose for human existence, often feeling isolated and disconnected from society. The book is both a study of the Outsider's predicament and an impassioned call for a new form of existentialism that could provide a satisfying and objective religious understanding of life.

Philosophy: The Basics is a comprehensive introduction to key areas of philosophy, including the existence of God, ethics, politics, science, mind, and art. The book explores these themes in a straightforward manner, making philosophy accessible to all readers. The fifth edition includes a new chapter on animals and updated further reading sections.