I want to learn about the world but I don't know where to start. All my knowledge about history, literature, etc. comes from memes on this site. People say "start with the Greeks" but I don't even know what context the Greeks are in.
I feel I am going to be wasting a lot of time learning things the wrong way because I have no guide. I don't even know what to look for. I'm lost in a sea of information bros.
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Philosophy began with the ancient Greeks. Then throughout the ages elite European education prioritized ancient Greek literature, mythology, philosophy and history. It became a shared language of the elites and many future works of philosophy and literature reference ancient Greece under the assumption that the person reading it would be familiar with those basic building blocks of education. It's also why lit atheists will still encourage people to read the Bible (for a similar reason).
Do not stress yourself out about it. Education can be a lifelong endeavour. It is a marathon not a race. Go at your own pace and aim to develop a foundational understanding of subjects you are interested in. Good luck.
Socrates/Wittgenstein dichotomy. Start with the Greeks and stop where you feel comfortable. If you make it all the way through to Wittgenstein then you have reached the advanced stage of knowing nothing.
I came to the Greeks too late in life. My worldview was already established. I'll never be able to really understand or relate to them. Feels bad.
how old are we talking?
I didon’t seriously approach the classics until my mid 30s. They simply were not part of my formative years
Start with general history. I listen to Will Durant's The Story of Civilization audiobooks, for example. There is The Penguin History of Europe in form of audiobooks also.
After that you can try to read/listen to a book about history of philosophy (by A.C. Grayling, for example).
>After that you can try to read/listen to a book about history of philosophy (by A.C. Grayling, for example).
And after that you can try to read a book about the history of art. "History of..." books are pretty good for general knowledge.
>I don't even know what to look for.
Reviews on Amazon
Books on annas-archive.org
Audiobooks on audiobookbay.is
If you are interested in philosophy, you can check this list
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_important_publications_in_philosophy
It is worthwhile to start with important topics like Greek philosophy and such (and there are good recommendations in the thread already), but don't feel bad if you find yourself getting bored. You can always come back to them. Additionally, reading/learning anything at all puts yourself ahead of millions of people.
I was in a similar situation, and I started with books that people "should have" already read. High school books like "Catcher in the Rye" or "Of Mice and Men". They're short and easy to read, which made it easy for me to keep going.
Good luck, anon.
You should read The Anatomy of Melancholy
You made my day, fine sir!
Taste of an intellectual gentleman!
>Bows down
google the Trivium and the Quadrivium. Learn those skills. Learn to play an instrument. Pick classical books and read them. Learn Latin and old greek.
Anytime frog, we're here if you need us. Hours and availability may vary, but otherwise, anytime.
How old are you?
Honest answer, there's no shortcut, and there's no escaping the wrong way along the path. Just start with anything you feel like and don't make it a school project because you'll start hating it pretty soon.
You don't have a deadline. You don't have to show off to anyone. Do it for yourself, and knowledge will come.
Try reading something you are interested in. When you encounter notions you don't know - google, take notes, read more... That's basucally it.
Good luck!
If you have a hard time reading, pick up some children’s books with pictures. Unironically. Don’t dive into something too big. They have a general overarching narrative, that’s well summarized. If something grabs your interest you can dig into that specific aspect of history and go from there. You can’t run until you learn to walk and training your brain to be engaged with the media is more important.
If you’re having a hard time finding the time to sit down. Get into audiobooks. Easy to be working with your hands, keeping busy while listening.
I’m currently looking through The Columbia Encyclopedia. Holds a good vocab list of important names, dates, and countries with historic context.
Fun history of the world video that is rather informative:
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If I had to start over from Zero, trying to not be too biased to my own personal tastes these are some of the books i'd read first:
Edith Hamilton's "Mythology" and "The Greek way"
Anthony Kenny's Philosophy of History.
Afterwards read the most essential philosophical works, you'll know which these are by then.
From Dawn to Decadence
Mary Oliver's poetry handbok
Hobsbawm's "Age of series" for 1800-1991. And Will Durant's series for the Rest.