Summary of "Ranking Classic Philosophy Books (with Joe Folley)"
Summary of Ranking Classic Philosophy Books (with Joe Folley)
This video features a detailed, wide-ranging discussion and tier ranking of 30 classic philosophy books by two speakers. The focus is on their content, historical context, influence, and personal impressions. The ranking is explicitly subjective and “vibes”-based, acknowledging the difficulty of comparing such diverse works fairly.
General Methodology and Approach to Ranking
- The ranking is arbitrary and based on personal “vibes” rather than strict criteria.
- Historical influence is discussed but deemed insufficient alone, as it tends to favor older texts disproportionately.
- All books discussed are classics and already highly regarded, so even lower-tier rankings indicate significant merit.
- The conversation often blends philosophical analysis with personal reading experiences and contextual anecdotes.
- Books are categorized roughly into tiers: S (highest), A, B, C, D, and F (lowest).
Key Philosophical Works Discussed
1. Plato’s Republic (S Tier)
- Early read by one speaker at age 12, initially over their head.
- Highlights include the tripartite soul theory, political philosophy ambiguity, allegory of the cave, and ring of Gyges.
- Plato’s forms are revolutionary but not fully embraced by the discussants.
- The Republic mixes individual morality and political theory but ends focused on the soul.
- Immense influence on literature (e.g., Tolkien’s Ring of Power) and philosophy.
- Considered an “easy” S-tier due to its breadth, depth, and lasting impact.
2. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (S Tier)
- Favored for clarity, practical ethical guidance, and empirical grounding.
- Emphasizes virtue, flourishing (eudaimonia), and the social nature of humans.
- Aristotle’s ethics are pluralistic and open to exceptions, contrasting with Plato’s idealism.
- Friendship and contemplation are key themes.
- Seen as foundational for ethical theory and due for revival alongside Stoicism.
3. Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations (C Tier)
- Popular modern bestseller with accessible, journal-like style.
- Stoic ethics with a metaphysical framework involving Providence and atoms.
- Criticisms include lack of rigorous arguments and some empirically questionable ideas.
- The empowering message about control over one’s mind resonates widely.
- Seen as less philosophically robust than Plato or Aristotle.
4. Augustine’s Confessions (A Tier)
- Combines autobiography, theology, and philosophy.
- Noted for candidness about faith and doubt, especially regarding time and memory.
- Psychological insight into wrongdoing (e.g., stealing pears “because it was forbidden”).
- Philosophically sophisticated and influential in Christian theology and moral psychology.
5. Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy (B Tier)
- A blend of Stoicism and Christianity, offering consolation in adversity.
- Literary quality praised, philosophical arguments less convincing.
- Emphasizes philosophy as therapeutic and consoling.
6. Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica (A Tier)
- Massive theological and philosophical work with Aristotelian framework.
- Famous for the “Five Ways” arguments for God’s existence.
- Difficult to read without extensive background.
- Highly influential in Catholic theology, less accessible for general readers.
7. Montaigne’s Essays (S Tier)
- Inventor of the personal essay form.
- Skeptical, humble, wide-ranging reflections on human nature and knowledge.
- Praised for literary style, intellectual honesty, and psychological insight.
- Seen as a model for intellectual humility and exploration.
8. Descartes’s Meditations (C Tier)
- Foundational modern philosophy work, introducing methodological skepticism and the cogito.
- Criticized for weak arguments (e.g., cogito, mind-body dualism).
- Correspondence letters are seen as more insightful than the Meditations themselves.
9. Hobbes’s Leviathan (Not Ranked/Uncertain)
- Recognized as a reaction to political chaos (English Civil War).
- Important in social contract theory and empiricism.
- Speakers feel unqualified to rank due to lack of familiarity.
10. Spinoza’s Ethics (S Tier)
- Monistic metaphysics identifying God with nature.
- Comprehensive, axiomatic system; vulnerable to critique but influential.
- Seen as a key figure bridging analytic and continental traditions.
- Influenced German idealists and modern philosophy.
11. Hume’s Treatise of Human Nature (S Tier)
- Radical empiricism and skepticism about self, causality, and religion.
- Post-skeptical constructive philosophy.
- Deeply influential on analytic philosophy and naturalism.
12. Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason (S Tier)
- Landmark work setting the framework for modern philosophy.
- Introduces categories of understanding, phenomena/noumena distinction.
- Difficult but essential for understanding post-Kantian philosophy.
- Influences German idealism, phenomenology, and much more.
13. Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit (A Tier)
- Difficult, complex exploration of consciousness, history, and reason.
- Attempts assumptionless philosophy and dialectical synthesis.
- Influential on Marx, existentialism, and continental thought.
14. Schopenhauer’s The World as Will and Representation (A Tier)
- Pessimistic metaphysics emphasizing will as fundamental reality.
- Psychological insights influential for Nietzsche and existentialism.
- Ethics based on compassion; aesthetics as will’s temporary cessation.
15. Mill’s Utilitarianism (B or C Tier)
- Hedonistic ethical theory emphasizing pleasure as ultimate good.
- Practical but criticized for simplistic grounding of well-being.
- Influential for consequentialism but has theoretical limitations.
16. Kierkegaard’s The Concept of Anxiety (A Tier)
- Explores anxiety as the condition of freedom and choice.
- Foundational for existentialism; complex and difficult text.
- Emphasizes individual responsibility and subjective experience.
17. Frege’s Foundations of Arithmetic (B Tier)
- Ambitious but criticized for uncharitable treatment of opponents.
- Important for mathematical logic and philosophy of language.
- Less favored by speakers compared to Frege’s other works.
18. Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil (A or S Tier)
- Challenges traditional metaphysics and ethics.
- Introduces psychological theories of drives and genealogy of morals.
- Complex and layered, foundational for modern moral psychology.
19. William James’s Pragmatism (B Tier)
- Metaphilosophical approach emphasizing practical consequences of beliefs.
- Contains useful insights but also problematic simplifications.
- Valued for addressing pseudo-issues in philosophy.
20. Heidegger’s Being and Time (B Tier)
- Difficult phenomenological work focusing on being and temporality.
- Introduces concepts like “being-toward-death” and “being-in-the-world.”
- Incomplete and controversial but highly influential.
21. A.J. Ayer’s Language, Truth, and Logic (D Tier)
- Classic logical positivist manifesto.
- Often criticized for being self-refuting and crude.
- Influential historically but mostly superseded by later work.
22. Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus (C Tier)
- Early existentialist work on absurdity and revolt.
- Seen as incomplete compared to Camus’s later writings.
- Philosophically evocative but limited in argumentative depth.
23. Russell’s History of Western Philosophy (F Tier)
- Popular but heavily criticized for inaccuracies and bias.
- Often misrepresents philosophers, especially German idealists.
- Considered misleading and uncharitable.
24. Sartre’s Existentialism is a Humanism (C Tier)
- Accessible introduction to existentialism.
- Presents key ideas like existence preceding essence.
- Criticized for lack of depth and some problematic arguments.
25. Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex (A Tier)
- Groundbreaking feminist existentialist work.
- Empirically rich and applies existentialist ideas to women’s experience.
- Highly influential in feminist theory and philosophy.
26. Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations (A Tier)
- Revolutionary work on language, meaning, and philosophy as therapy.
- Introduces concepts like language games and family resemblance.
- Challenges traditional philosophy and representationalism.
27. Hannah Arendt’s Eichmann in Jerusalem (B Tier)
- Investigates the “banality of evil” through Eichmann’s trial.
- Emphasizes thoughtlessness as a cause of evil acts.
- Important moral and historical reflection, less philosophical rigor.
28. Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation (A Tier)
- Popular and clear argument for animal welfare from utilitarian premises.
- Not philosophically sophisticated but effective applied ethics.
- Influential in animal ethics and social activism.
29. David Lewis’s On the Plurality of Worlds (B or C Tier)
- Defense of concrete modal realism (all possible worlds exist concretely).
- Highly technical and controversial metaphysics.
- Influential but seen as a philosophical dead end by some.
Summary of Tier Rankings
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S Tier Plato’s Republic, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Montaigne’s Essays, Spinoza’s Ethics, Hume’s Treatise of Human Nature, Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil.
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A Tier Augustine’s Confessions, Aquinas’s Summa Theologica, Boethius’s Consolation of Philosophy, Schopenhauer’s The World as Will and Representation, Kierkegaard’s The Concept of Anxiety, Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations, Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation.
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B Tier Mill’s Utilitarianism, William James’s Pragmatism, Heidegger’s Being and Time, Hannah Arendt’s Eichmann in Jerusalem, Frege’s Foundations of Arithmetic, David Lewis’s On the Plurality of Worlds.
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C Tier Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, Descartes’s Meditations, Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus, Sartre’s Existentialism is a Humanism.
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D Tier A.J. Ayer’s Language, Truth, and Logic.
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F Tier Russell’s History of Western Philosophy.
Speakers / Sources Featured
- Joe Folley – Philosopher and host, co-discusses and provides detailed commentary.
- Unnamed co-speaker – Engages with Joe Folley in the discussion, providing complementary views and personal reflections.
- References to other philosophers and scholars throughout the discussion include:
- Julia Annas (on Republic’s political content)
- John Cers (on Marcus Aurelius)
- Bernard Reginster (on Nietzsche)
- Hubert Dreyfus (on Heidegger)
- Anthony Kenny, Frederick Copleston, Michael Dummett, and others (for historical or philosophical context).
Overall, the video is a rich, nuanced conversation blending historical context, philosophical analysis, personal reading experiences, and humor to explore the significance and impact of classic philosophy books.
Category
Educational
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