One does not become more intelligent or wise simply by being born in a more modern age. The knowledge and understanding of previous generations is not absorbed through some default means.
No. To gain that knowledge we must read. We must actively seek out those shoulders before we can stand on them, and I for one am tired of stumbling upon profound wisdom that should have been part of my early education. Here’s what I’m doing about it:
http://www.interleaves.org/~rteeter/grtinfluential.html
I am building a master book list. Please let me know, either by comments here or via email, what you think should be included. The only criteria is that they should be must-reads — i.e. books that should, in your opinion, be required reading of all humans during secondary education and/or university. I’d prefer your favorite classics, but new books are fine too.
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Great topic. I own an early edition of Brittanica’s great books, you might want to check out that list too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GreatBooksoftheWestern_World
Each one I read becomes an absolute favorite but the all time must read for me so far is “War and Peace”. Other favorites: Discourse on Method by Descartes and The Law by Bastiat (not usually on great books lists, but represents a large body of liberal thought from the 19th century). I’m working on the Brothers Karamazov right now, which I think you would like.
Comment by Jon Robinson — 6/21/2007 @ 2:46 am
“The Hero with a Thousand Faces” - Joseph Campbell “The Elements of Style” - Strunk & White
Comment by Jason — 6/21/2007 @ 9:50 am
Walden Tale of Genji (I can’t believe this isn’t on that list)
I own the 60-book Brittanica’s set, as well as the 100 greatest books from the Franklin Library (gorgeous books, not considered estate collectibles, they still are leather covered with 24 karat gilt edges and good paper, pleasurable to read). I consider those 2 sets as an acceptable “core” of a private library for anyone who wants to have a semblance of a Renaissance education, liberally assisted with additional texts.
Comment by Michael S Black — 6/21/2007 @ 11:44 am
“Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand should be on the list. Great idea though — I love to read and there are so many good books out there.
Comment by ncloud — 6/21/2007 @ 4:52 pm
Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance.
Comment by Jason Ormes — 6/22/2007 @ 2:43 pm
Strange, I was going to recommend some Joseph Campbell, too. I thought “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” was out of print?
Comment by Matt — 6/23/2007 @ 6:25 pm
As far as I know, all of Campbell’s works that have been in print still are. There are a lot of books, and quite a few videos, too. Of real interest is the interview he did with Bill Moyer titled “The Power of Myth.” Check Amazon.
Comment by Jason — 6/24/2007 @ 8:27 pm
I don’t know how I missed this post, but it is an excellent one.
I looked the linked article though, and think that it would be beneficial to structure some of these points in such a way that show a progression of thoughts. For example, to attack Kierkergaard’s Either/Or you would really like to have Hegel’s Phenomenology down, which requires Critique of Pure Reason, which is a result of Berkeley + Descartes + Malabranche…..
And for what it’s worth for Descartes’ Meditations not to be there is a glaring omission.
For the record, Rand never said anything interesting that Aristotle or Nietzsche didn’t say before she did ( as much as she makes a big noise about NOT being a Nietzschean ). And don’t try to convince me she has a coherent moral theory either, I know what happened after a certain heiress scratched her marble fireplace.
Comment by Steven G. Harms — 7/26/2007 @ 2:40 pm
BTW. Buy hardback.
Comment by Steven G. Harms — 7/26/2007 @ 2:53 pm
[...] I read about a “Most Influential Books” list via Daniel Miessler’s post “Episteme”. I commented that it was a bit presumptuous to believe that the reader of the 100 list would [...]
Pingback by stevengharms.com » Blog Archive » A Mind-Map to Western Philosophy — 8/18/2007 @ 5:27 pm
[...] philosophy. It attempts to chart the relationship context between the various books mentioned in my Episteme post from a while back. Steven writes: Recently I read about a “Most Influential Books” list [...]
Pingback by A Mind-Map to Western Philosophy | dmiessler.com — 8/19/2007 @ 4:49 am
[...] Stephen G. Harms is creating a mind map of western philosophy to aid readers of Daniel Miessler’s “most influential books” list. [...]
Pingback by RadiantThought » Blog Archive » A Mind-Map to Western Philosophy — 8/20/2007 @ 4:24 am
I should like to mention the need to venture away from philosophy, once in a while, and to stay current in maintaining the structure of society, one can do no harm and great good by getting familiar with sciences.
I have a few books concerning nuclear, molecular, atomic and quantum physics(most of which blend), and a few on water treatment and distribution.
Just thought I’d throw in a category to see what other’s thought about it.
What is higher thought worth when a civilization cannot last to speak the conclusions, both truths and lies?
-=T=-
Comment by TIMM — 8/20/2007 @ 8:32 am
[...] Episteme Related books: [...]
Pingback by Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov — 8/20/2008 @ 5:27 pm