Reviews
When I heard this was a book about Western thought, Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates came to mind first. I began reading with a somewhat heavy heart, thinking of these philosophers who were regular characters in the ethics and morality textbooks we studied in school. But as I read, it felt closer to a general-interest book than a philosophy textbook. It offers a light introduction to Western thought through ten minutes of humanities reading a day. It was easy to skim along. The book is made up of
Human beings love stories. Because we live with uncertainty and the unknowable, we constantly consider possibilities and simulate future events in our minds as we try to make good choices and judgments. Stories help us do all of this in combination. This book gathers stories that convey Western thought. It is a bit like a Western version of anecdotes from Eastern classics. Some episodes are ingenious and strange, others moving and lingering; some are historical and factual, while others are
Strengthen your emotional resilience with ten minutes of humanities reading a day. Trace Western thought through anecdotes about ancient philosophers, artists, politicians, and scientists! Philosophy is called the foundation of all learning, but it has always seemed profound and difficult, so I have hesitated to pick up books about it. I would reread the same passages several times, get stuck on parts I could not understand, and make little progress. But not every philosophy book is like that.
*Western Thought at a Café* Western thought is grounded in the human interior and revolution. As you read, you encounter many familiar names of philosophers and thinkers. Western philosophy is generally said to have originated in Greece. Plato, Aristotle, and others left behind many sayings that reflected their times. Socrates’ wife Xanthippe is known as the archetype of a shrewish wife. Many people wonder how Socrates came to marry her. He spoke about it by way of comparison: “Those who want
Western philosophy can be said to have begun in Greece around 600 BCE. Ancient Western philosophy refers to the period from then through the fifth or sixth century CE. Among the philosophers of this era are the well-known Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato. Medieval Western philosophy was based on Christianity and divided into patristic and scholastic philosophy. Its philosophers include Anselm and Thomas Aquinas. Modern philosophy developed through the Renaissance, the Reformation, the growth of
Through anecdotes about ancient philosophers, artists, politicians, and scientists, this book traces the development of Western thought. Philosophical reflection can offer standards and inspiration for addressing the many challenges and problems we face in modern society. Western philosophy began in Greece and spread outward. Accounts of the world from Plato, Aristotle, Thales, Heraclitus, and others introduce the philosophy of sages who sought life’s truths and the meaning of human will.
“Oh? They’re different! Eastern philosophy, Western thought? What is this, why are they different?” That was my first question. Philosophy sees the questions that arise in human life as a process of reflection in pursuit of truth, while thought refers to knowledge and a theoretical system gained through reflection, rather than the activity of pursuing truth itself. In that sense, philosophy can offer as many answers as there are different people, while thought is like a fixed awareness: a
Why do we want to study the humanities? What perspectives should we bring to thought and philosophy, which are among their most fundamental and important fields, and how can we use them in real life? This book explores those questions. It focuses mainly on Western thought and philosophy, explaining the ideas and theories of various philosophers as accessibly as possible. Anyone can learn from it, find the values they are looking for, and connect the meaning of the humanities with real life.
Among the books I have read recently was one about the history of science. It introduced an anecdote about a scientist so famous that nearly everyone would recognize his name. The king at the time wondered whether the crown on his head was pure gold and ordered the scientist to find out. The story goes that the scientist could not figure it out no matter how hard he racked his brain, until he discovered the answer while bathing. He cried “Eureka!” and rushed out of the bath without even putting
I hope you will take some time to consider what Western thought is and what we can gain from studying Western philosophy and its various schools of thought. I feel the same way as the writer: when the world becomes harder and harsher to live in, there is more for us to think about. South Korea is in a very difficult situation right now. In such circumstances, almost anything we do can become an object of self-censorship. What should we do then? I always emphasize going back to basics. If we
Ri So-jeong: Western thought encountered at a cafe
This book is the “Western Thought” volume in Himchan Books' ambitious “Reading at a Cafe” series. It introduces the development of Western thought from ancient to modern times through anecdotes, in sections including “Habit Is Second Nature,” “Everything That Exists Is Rational,” and “When Talent Ends, Form Begins.”
Korean title: 카페에서 만난 서양사상
Korean author: 리소정
Korean publisher: 힘찬북스
ISBN-13: 9791190227407
Reviews
When I heard this was a book about Western thought, Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates came to mind first. I began reading with a somewhat heavy heart, thinking of these philosophers who were regular characters in the ethics and morality textbooks we studied in school. But as I read, it felt closer to a general-interest book than a philosophy textbook. It offers a light introduction to Western thought through ten minutes of humanities reading a day. It was easy to skim along. The book is made up of
Human beings love stories. Because we live with uncertainty and the unknowable, we constantly consider possibilities and simulate future events in our minds as we try to make good choices and judgments. Stories help us do all of this in combination. This book gathers stories that convey Western thought. It is a bit like a Western version of anecdotes from Eastern classics. Some episodes are ingenious and strange, others moving and lingering; some are historical and factual, while others are
Strengthen your emotional resilience with ten minutes of humanities reading a day. Trace Western thought through anecdotes about ancient philosophers, artists, politicians, and scientists! Philosophy is called the foundation of all learning, but it has always seemed profound and difficult, so I have hesitated to pick up books about it. I would reread the same passages several times, get stuck on parts I could not understand, and make little progress. But not every philosophy book is like that.
*Western Thought at a Café* Western thought is grounded in the human interior and revolution. As you read, you encounter many familiar names of philosophers and thinkers. Western philosophy is generally said to have originated in Greece. Plato, Aristotle, and others left behind many sayings that reflected their times. Socrates’ wife Xanthippe is known as the archetype of a shrewish wife. Many people wonder how Socrates came to marry her. He spoke about it by way of comparison: “Those who want
Western philosophy can be said to have begun in Greece around 600 BCE. Ancient Western philosophy refers to the period from then through the fifth or sixth century CE. Among the philosophers of this era are the well-known Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato. Medieval Western philosophy was based on Christianity and divided into patristic and scholastic philosophy. Its philosophers include Anselm and Thomas Aquinas. Modern philosophy developed through the Renaissance, the Reformation, the growth of
Through anecdotes about ancient philosophers, artists, politicians, and scientists, this book traces the development of Western thought. Philosophical reflection can offer standards and inspiration for addressing the many challenges and problems we face in modern society. Western philosophy began in Greece and spread outward. Accounts of the world from Plato, Aristotle, Thales, Heraclitus, and others introduce the philosophy of sages who sought life’s truths and the meaning of human will.
“Oh? They’re different! Eastern philosophy, Western thought? What is this, why are they different?” That was my first question. Philosophy sees the questions that arise in human life as a process of reflection in pursuit of truth, while thought refers to knowledge and a theoretical system gained through reflection, rather than the activity of pursuing truth itself. In that sense, philosophy can offer as many answers as there are different people, while thought is like a fixed awareness: a
Why do we want to study the humanities? What perspectives should we bring to thought and philosophy, which are among their most fundamental and important fields, and how can we use them in real life? This book explores those questions. It focuses mainly on Western thought and philosophy, explaining the ideas and theories of various philosophers as accessibly as possible. Anyone can learn from it, find the values they are looking for, and connect the meaning of the humanities with real life.
Among the books I have read recently was one about the history of science. It introduced an anecdote about a scientist so famous that nearly everyone would recognize his name. The king at the time wondered whether the crown on his head was pure gold and ordered the scientist to find out. The story goes that the scientist could not figure it out no matter how hard he racked his brain, until he discovered the answer while bathing. He cried “Eureka!” and rushed out of the bath without even putting
I hope you will take some time to consider what Western thought is and what we can gain from studying Western philosophy and its various schools of thought. I feel the same way as the writer: when the world becomes harder and harsher to live in, there is more for us to think about. South Korea is in a very difficult situation right now. In such circumstances, almost anything we do can become an object of self-censorship. What should we do then? I always emphasize going back to basics. If we
