Books about philosophy and psychology: Easy-to-understand titles that will make you think!

Okay, so I’ve been really getting into this whole philosophy and psychology thing lately. It’s like, the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know, you know? It all started a few months back when I was feeling a bit lost, trying to figure out what life’s all about and stuff.

First, I started poking around online, just Googling random questions that popped into my head. I stumbled upon some interesting articles, but honestly, most of it was way over my head. I felt like there are so many words in there, and I even don’t know any of it. So I decided I needed something more structured, like actual books.

I went to the local bookstore, and oh boy, was that overwhelming! There’s a whole section just for philosophy, and don’t even get me started on the psychology shelves. I spent a good hour just browsing, picking up books, reading the backs, and putting them back down. Finally, I asked one of the bookstore guys for help. I told him I was a total newbie and needed something easy to understand.

First Pick: Simple Tools

He recommended this series called “A Very Short Introduction” from Oxford University Press. He said they’re perfect for beginners, and they have one for both philosophy and psychology. So, I grabbed those two, along with this book called “Great Thinkers: Simple Tools from 60 Great Thinkers to Improve Your Life” It just sounded interesting, you know?

Then: Trying to Read

Getting through them was a bit of a struggle at first, especially the philosophy one. But I kept at it, reading a few pages here and there when I had time. The “Very Short Introduction to Philosophy” gave me a basic overview of the different branches of philosophy and some of the big names, and the psychology one explained some fundamental concepts in a simple way.

More Books

After those, I felt confident enough to try something a bit more challenging. Someone online suggested “Sophie’s World” by Jostein Gaarder, which is like a novel that teaches you about philosophy. And let me tell you, that book blew my mind! It’s so engaging and easy to follow, and it made me think about things I’d never even considered before. I also picked up “The Psychology Book” by Nigel C. Benson, as I wanted to delve deeper into psychology and its various branches. Benson’s book provided a comprehensive overview, although I admit some parts were still challenging.

Going Deeper

From there, I started exploring books by specific philosophers and psychologists. I read “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl, which is about his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and his theory of logotherapy. That one really hit me hard. I also read “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman, which is all about how our brains work and the biases we have. It’s a bit dense, but super fascinating. I just learned about cognitive biases yesterday and now everything people do around me looks so obvious. And “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain was another great find, especially since I’m an introvert myself.

It’s a Journey

So yeah, that’s where I am right now. I’m still very much a beginner, but I’m loving the journey. It’s like I’ve opened a door to a whole new world, and I can’t wait to see where it leads. I just want to read more and understand more, and also learn more about myself and my mind. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely worth it. If you’re thinking about getting into philosophy or psychology, I say go for it! Just start with the easy stuff and work your way up. You won’t regret it.