"The father of modern philosophy. Philosophy begins in doubt. Descartes shows from a first-person perspective how we doubt belief in an external world. 'I think therefore I am' is all I can be sure of."
"The classic work of transcendental philosophy. Logical demonstration that we live in the phenomenal world, whilst noumenon (things-in-themselves) remains beyond reason."
"Modern analysis of subjectivity and objectivity. Neither viewpoint are reducible to the other. Both have a necessary place for us to live and understand the world."
"Ancient Chinese work describing the Tao: the hidden source of the phenomenal world. Provides guidance for living naturally with Tao. Red Pine's translation also includes useful commentary."
"Schopenhauer took Kant's method, simplified it and saw the connection with Eastern philosophy. I am not totally convinced by his argumentation, eg his criticisms of Kant, but this book is insightful."
"Berkeley's classic work refuting materialism. Even today it's difficult to argue against Berkeley's position. Dancy's commentary in this version are very useful."
"I add this because of its logical criticism of induction. If a valid model of the world is to be constructed from a transcendental foundation, some form of induction is needed, however."
"Wittgenstein followed Kant and Schopenhauer exploring the limits of knowledge. "What can be said at all can be said clearly; and what we cannot talk about we must pass over in silence.""
