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  • A Little History of Philosophy

  • By: Nigel Warburton
  • Narrated by: Kris Dyer
  • Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,727 ratings)
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A Little History of Philosophy

By: Nigel Warburton
Narrated by: Kris Dyer
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Editor reviews

The fascinating subject of Philosophy is revealed in A Little History of Philosophy, written by British philosopher and best-selling author Nigel Warburton with an audiobook narration by Kris Dyer. Taking listeners all the way back to the philosophers of ancient Greece and working his way through the most notable philosophers in history, hear the fascinating topics that have been discussed over the course of time and see the parallels between them – for at its core, philosophy is an attempt to answer those fundamental questions - who are we? Why are we here? Who or what created us? Available now from Audible.

Summary

Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality and how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them how little they genuinely understood.

This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy and explores their most compelling ideas about the world and how best to live in it. In forty brief chapters, Nigel Warburton guides us on a chronological tour of the major ideas in the history of philosophy. He provides interesting and often quirky stories of the lives and deaths of thought-provoking philosophers from Socrates, who chose to die by hemlock poisoning rather than live on without the freedom to think for himself, to Peter Singer, who asks the disquieting philosophical and ethical questions that haunt our own times.

Warburton not only makes philosophy accessible, he offers inspiration to think, argue, reason, and ask in the tradition of Socrates. A Little History of Philosophy presents the grand sweep of humanity's search for philosophical understanding and invites all to join in the discussion.

©2011 Nigel Warburton (P)2014 Audible Studios

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What listeners say about A Little History of Philosophy

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

fact checking is important

some of the thoughts have been wrongly interpreted: stoicism and macciavelli. stoicism is not the disabling of emotion. It is the understanding that not everything in life is easy. Instead of complaining they are compelled to brace the storm in acceptance of the according emotions and to not let it get to you. It never says that you cannot have emotions, it says that your emotions although important ought to not impede your choice making process. Then Macciavelli wrote the prince not to say that the end justify the means but to warm the common people who are being ruled over that that is what happens. It was to learn from it and therefore be able to see when governments are going the wrong direction.

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72 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Philosophy Bites

Loved it. Not too heavy going for the person in the street (me). The author also does the excellent philosophy bites podcast. Recommended.

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42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Tremendous overview of western philosophy

If you could sum up A Little History of Philosophy in three words, what would they be?

Engaging, thought-provoking and concise.

What did you like best about this story?

I've heard nearly all of the their names, but really I never had a clear concept of the ideas of the major western philosophers, until I listened to this book. In a remarkably easy-to-listen-to style, the author presents a neat, somewhat superficial but pithy summary of arguably the 40 most important and influential western philosophers in modern history. From Socrates and Plato through to Peter Singer, he introduces the person, his key ideas and contributions to thought, and how others received his or her ideas.I know more now than I did before, and have enjoyed listening to this book so much I'm going to listen to it again.

Have you listened to any of Kris Dyer’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Haven't listened to any of Kris's other performances. I thought he had some slightly unusual pronunciation - a long 'a' in "Isaac" and two equally-emphasized syllables in "at-om" jarred slightly for me, but he is a clear, warm-voiced reader and I would happily listen to more.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me thirsty for more of the same - and I wonder if there is a similarly concise, masterly overview of eastern philosophy available in a similar format?

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended - accessible, interesting, and thought provoking stuff, which makes me realise a lot of the moral or intellectual questions which we all ponder from time to time are well-rehearsed, categorised, and have been thoroughly explored by philosophers who - for the most part - have something to say on the subjects which merits a bit of our attention. Five stars.

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36 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Great History of Philosophy

What did you like most about A Little History of Philosophy?

I can understand it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The author and his funny, clear way of presenting difficult philosophical ideas.

What about Kris Dyer’s performance did you like?

The voice has character---an old fashioned word my father use to use to judge people.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Well--philosophy isn't a novel but great ideas esp the discussion of Witgenstein was outstanding.

Any additional comments?

Great book, great listen--so much better than Bertrand Russell's who is just too smart for me. HIs discussion always fly over my head.

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35 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly fascinating from start to finish.

Excellently read by the narrator, this book shines a light on the core ideas of some of the world's greatest thinkers. Devoting a chapter to each person, the author gives you just enough information as to be satisfying, while also leaving you with the desire to seek out more specifics about the works of Socrotes, Mill, Sartre, and Singer.

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Top quality

If you're looking for a quality audio book that will explain Western philosophy to you, then this is it. Starting chronologically from Socrates to the present day, it charts all of the most notable philosophers and their various ideas. It is supremely well written and narrated, as well as being very informative without being too high-brow. Highly recommended.

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26 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful

absolutely loved it! listened to it everywhere, in the bath, walking to work, everywhere. highly recommended.

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20 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Easy read of a difficult subject.

Superb sampler of an often dense and difficult subject beautiful easy read......Loved it


Would recommend as an introduction to all the major philosophers and there work.

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18 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A great entry into philosophy

A great entry into philosophy which leaves me wanting to learn more on the subject.

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16 people found this helpful

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Good book

Not a bad book on introduction to philosophy! Not super in depth but encourages firther reading and research. Really enjoyed it and will be reading some further books!

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15 people found this helpful