General Interest
|
|
|
The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics analyses the explicitly or implicitly anti-Rand critics who knew her in life and have made numerous critical claims about her that are widely accepted - at least by people who wish to discount her philosophy. |
|
|
Why People Believe Weird Things, by the founder of the Skeptics Society, covers topics such as Holocaust denial, creationism, alien abductions, Satanism, near-death experiences and psychics. Shermer is at his best when debunking weird claims with facts (e.g. on psychics and the facts of Holocaust denial), but sometimes descends into unnecessary ad hominem (e.g. the personalities in Holocaust denial, and his rather thin "older/younger son" psychologising on mystical scientists), and at his worst makes himself a case study in weird beliefs with his poor arguments on Objectivism. But overall an interesting and useful book. |
|
|
A complex but fascinating book with multiple levels of self-referential meaning, essentially an exposition of the meaning of Godel's Theorem (that formal systems cannot be both complete and consistent). Note: the philosophical and cognitive implications of Godel's Theorem are discussed in "Holes in The Heart of Reason". |
|
|
Principle-Centered Leadership is interesting both practically as it has some practical value in business and life, and philosophically, in not only correctly identifying the importance of principles in life, but even getting them partially right - all starting from a Christian perspective. Nevertheless the Christian perspective does lead the author astray. |
|
|
1984 is Orwell's famous novel set in a dystopic future where "Big Brother" is watching and individual choice, freedom and happiness are crushed. |
|
|
The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy made Douglas Adams' name, first as a radio show then as a "trilogy of 5 books". So hilarious in places it can make you cry, Adams has a keen wit and clever turn of phrase, satirising everything from marketeers to philosophy. Marred, especially in the later books, by rather dark and depressing philosophical undertones (indeed, overtones), nevertheless don't miss out on these. |
|
|
A collection of the unpublished works of the late Douglas Adams, including unfinished fiction and non-fiction essays, all in his inimitable style. |
|
|
Richard Feynman was a great scientist and I find books by and about him fascinating. In this one he delves into philosophy. While his epistemology is excellent, as you'd expect from a scientist of his calibre and intelligence, his ethics and politics is less convincing. |
|
|
Essays on 12 selected "great philosophers" from ancient to modern, explaining their history and thoughts. While the choices are often curious (Marx is included, Aristotle is not), an interesting insight into their minds by specialists - even if you are left thinking "why did anyone take this seriously?" |