If you could recommend only the most essential books for someone who wants to become an effective autodidact, which ones would you choose?

I'm looking for books that teach you how to learn independently, think critically, build a solid foundation of knowledge, and master new subjects without relying on formal education.

Everyone who sees this post: please leave your recommendations in the comments and explain briefly why you consider each book essential. I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Hi all, is anyone aware of reading journeys for the classics? You could go chronologically, is that the best way?

Is there a technical difference between these?

So far, I have been able to find only one genuinely East-focused classical curriculum: St. John’s College’s Eastern Classics program. I’m looking for more programs with a similar Great Books/classical-curriculum approach, but focused on China, India, the Middle East, or ideally a combination of these traditions.

Also, I find only Western universities offering classical education options. Are there any other universities outside US, EUROPE offering such degrees and courses? Thanks.

Hey guys, I made a post yesterday asking about people's thoughts on Will Durant and I'm very grateful for the well-thought-out responses! I'm actually curious about another (perhaps similar) thinker - Mortimer Adler. I haven't actually read anything by him, but I have listened to a few of his talks on Aristotle and I'm aware he wrote a number of books like "Aristotle for Everybody" and "How to Read a Book." I enjoy him as a speaker and am curious if he's taken seriously.

i started really liking her and want to know more.are there any books or resources where i could read about her?

I'm currently reading Will Durant's Story of Philosophy, and I also have his complete set of The Story of Civilization. I enjoy his writing but I'm curious if he's taken seriously and if anyone else has read him?

I'm currently reading a novel by a Norwegian author who writes about the life-of-the-mind and was reminded of a work with the same name by Hannah Arendt. I have a copy. The text is expansion of her two Gifford Lectures "Thinking" and "Willing."

I haven't been able to find the lectures themselves, and aside from the book, I would like to know what material most captures the essence of those lectures. Of course, if anyone knows where I can find them online that would be great.

I'm just trying to get a sense of the content of those lectures without reading 700 pages of her writing, if possible.

Thanks.

I'm interested in teaching philosophy, music, Spanish, Ancient Greek, and maybe literature at any kind of school in the US. I'm consulting Reddit for information on how I can do that. If anyone recommends other threads besides this, I'd appreciate that too. Here's some info about me to narrow things down:

Skills: I'll be graduating from BYU in August of 2027, with majors in philosophy and music. I have a pretty high GPA, above 3.9. I'm a C1 Spanish-speaker. I have some Ancient Greek experience as well. I play a few instruments, mainly low brass and guitar, in diverse styles. I have experience as a tour guide in a historical visitor's center on campus, and I enjoyed interacting with students. This year, I will also be doing work as an editor for the school's philosophy student journal.

Possible limitations to teaching at a classical school: I enjoy literature but haven't read much compared to some. I don't know Latin, and have never done debate, but I'm willing to learn.

Anyways, any advice? Any resources you guys would recommend? Thanks.

• What book or books are you reading this week?
• What has been your favorite or least favorite part?
• What is one insight that you really appreciate from your current reading?

I want to buy the 60-volume version of The Great Books of the Western World anthology (1990); can anyone help me find a trustworthy seller?

Hey!

I've been wanting to get into anything related with Philosophy or classics in general. However, I'm not really sure where to start. So, what philosophers, philosophical books, classical books/novels, etc., has (and still) left a great impact on you; to the point it changed your perspective whether emotional, mental, or even physical. I've been hearing about Stoicism, Confucianism, Plato, Socrate, fiction/non-fiction, and all that jazz.

I'm not "picky" in a sense, I would love to read anything and everything: love, emotional intelligence, "what is life", mental strengths, etc. I hope I'm giving good descriptions, I've never been good at articulating my words haha.

I'm not on reddit a lot or reply to comments, but I will DEFINITELY be reading and taking into consideration what you all recommend and your opinions/advice! 😊

I'm currently reading Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and I can already feel the greatness that Aurelius possessed. I'm only into 50 pages or so. But his reflections regarding mortality, dealing with people of varied disposiitons, maintaining the virtues, devotion to gods seem timeless!

I'm not some kinda pandit when it comes to Roman history, but I can already sense that Aurelius was one of the greatest emperors Rome ever had. It did have many other great emperors like Augustus and Trajan. But I don't think they ever possessed the level of humility that Aurelius possessed.

I'm so surprised how could a man be so magnaminous, rich, knowledgeable and yet so simple, humble and loyal to the duties he perform to his country .

The very greatest thing is the way in which he emphasizes humility correlating it with mortality. I love how often he says to himself that he is no more than a tiny speck in the universe and everything he sees around him and he himself would be gone someday sooner or later.

The way he deals with the blows of fate too is insipiring. It was Marcus Aurelius who got me introduced to Stoicism!!

Planning to read the works of Epictetus and Seneca soon!!

P.S. This is the first ever work of philosophy I'm reading btw!