A Passion for Wisdom: A Very Brief History of Philosophy

Rating:
Summary: Recommended for students of all ages
Review: I am an engineering professor and have spent the last 30 years trying to compensate for my weak liberal arts education.

Robert Solomon has been a godsend in terms of providing clear, insightful teachings on philosophy. He's written overviews as well as some very nice books and tapes (The Teaching Company) focused on existentialism.

This particular book (written with his major collaborator Kathleen Higgins) is not a typical superficial survey. Rather, it is a distillation of their catholic knowledge gained through years of study and teaching philosophy. A real tour de force filled with the insights and connections that only great teachers can give. I highly recommend it for students of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: A Useful and Witty Guide
Review: Solomon/Higgins "A Passion for Wisdom" is a small but rich book outlining the history of philosophical ideas, including Chinese, Buddhist, Native American, Arab and other cultures. It is a useful reference and witty in writing style which encourages one's own philosophical or investigative studies. Philosophy is openness to the world. We are excited, yet disturbed. We need to be better listeners to be more open.

I recommend reading "A Passion for Wisdom" first and then a more in-depth study by reading Solomon/Higgins "A Short History of Philosophy" second. Other book recommendations following Solomon/Higgins: Durant's "The Story of Philosophy," T.Z. Lavine's "From Socrates to Sartre," and perhaps Russell's "A History of Western Philosophy."

Rating:
Summary: A Pleasure
Review: The authors are gifted with an objective detachment from their subject so that every philosopher discussed seems to be their favorite...until they move on to the next.

The absence of polemics makes for a light reading in an otherwise onerous subject.

This is the best introduction to philosophy that one could hope to begin from.

Sincere thanks to the authors!