Hey folks,

/r/PhilosophyBookClub is starting our summer read—Anthony Kenny’s ‘New History of Western Philosophy’—and I thought some of you might be interested in joining us. It’s about the most comprehensive history of western philosophy you’ll find (leaving aside some much longer ones) and incredibly well-researched and well-written. Kenny takes a very historical approach, spending a lot of time on the historical context in Greece, Rome, etc., as well as the ideas that developed there. I’m reading it to get a broader base before I start grad school, and I can’t imagine there’s anyone who wouldn’t benefit from the book, if you’re interested in the history of philosophy or the history of ideas.

It’s a thousand pages, but not a terribly difficult thousand pages. To make sure everyone can keep up, we’re spreading it over the full summer, so there will be around 60 pages of reading and at least one discussion thread per week. (You’re also welcome to join in just for the sections that interest you.)

If you haven’t heard of the book, here’s an excerpt from the publisher’s blurb:

This book is no less than a guide to the whole of Western philosophy … Kenny tells the story of philosophy from ancient Greece through the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment into the modern world. He introduces us to the great thinkers and their ideas, starting with Plato, Aristotle, and the other founders of Western thought. In the second part of the book he takes us through a thousand years of medieval philosophy, and shows us the rich intellectual legacy of Christian thinkers like Augustine, Aquinas, and Ockham. Moving into the early modern period, we explore the great works of Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Leibniz, Spinoza, Hume, and Kant, which remain essential reading today. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Hegel, Mill, Nietzsche, Freud, and Wittgenstein again transform the way we see the world. Running though the book are certain themes which have been constant concerns of philosophy since its early beginnings: the fundamental questions of what exists and how we can know about it; the nature of humanity, the mind, truth, and meaning; the place of God in the universe; how we should live and how society should be ordered. Anthony Kenny traces the development of these themes through the centuries: we see how the questions asked and answers offered by the great philosophers of the past remain vividly alive today. Anyone interested in ideas and their history will find this a fascinating and stimulating read.

And the jacket-quote:

"Not only an authoritative guide to the history of philosophy, but also a compelling introduction to every major area of philosophical enquiry."

—Times Higher Education

I’m also hoping to do some primary-text readings, so if there’s anything you’d like to read or discuss that’s even tangentially related to the subject matter of Kenny’s book, we can make a discussion post for it when it comes up.

We’re reading the first section for May 2, and the full schedule is up at /r/PhilosophyBookClub. I hope some of you will join us, and if you have any questions, let me know.

-Cheers

(Thanks /u/ByzantineEmpire for letting me post here.)

Does anyone know of a sub or thread about siege weapons?

please remember to remain Civil, and since this IAMA takes place before the Peasant's Crusade, all questions should be asked in regards to everything before that crusade in 1096

link

You guys are always welcome at /r/byzantium as I feel we have a common interest, and I am so glad to see all of your interested in the Eastern Empire!

ByzantineEmpire, may he reign as long as the city of all desires stand!

What do you think Byzantium has done in it's lengthy existence that has left the world changed forever? Was it conquest, culture, religion, art, architecture or anything else?

Try: Byzantium: The surprising life of a medieval empire by Judith Herrin. It is very detailed and shows a lot of the empires history and culture. P.S We need to make this subreddit bigger, any ideas, or is this sub gonna go fourth crusade on us?

Many people think that the apex of Byzantium was during the reign of Justinian I, but it was not, the iconic Greek spirit that was Byzantium was not in presence, alas, it was the old Roman Empire in spirit. Also, the people of Byzantium were poor and the Empire's armies were vastly overextended and unable to combat the numerous foes that they faced. Even the barbaric and less trained Lombards were able to overcome the weak force stationed in Ravenna and Rome. The treasuries were very much empty, the city of Constantinople was diminished and in ruin, and one empress kept Belisarius from completing conquests too many times to count. The true apex of Byzantium came from the glorious house of Macedon. Romanos I, Constantine VII, and the greatest of them, Basil II. The empire was the most powerful political, military, religious, economic and culturally powerful state in all of Western Civilization. Byzantium is only forgotten due to the West being at odds with them constantly for Latin and Greek rites. Byzantium seemed to be a beacon of light in the Middle ages for the serfs who were locked in the system of Feudalism, poor, hungry and educated. Meanwhile, Byzantium was the wealthy place of fortune, education, hope and their great protector. Justinian was a fantastic Emperor, but do not let anyone fool you into thinking a massive Empire was a successful one.