Question on Introductory Books

[Nemra]

What do you think of the "A Very Short Introduction" book series?

In retrospect, do you think they can actually introduce you to the subject? Is it an overall good place to start studying subjects?

[Joseph Maynor]

The Very Short Intros are hit and miss.  These are all great IMO.

Theology by Robert F. Ford
The Beats by David Sterritt
Tibetan Buddhism by Matthew T. Kapstein
Wittgenstein by A.C. Grayling
Christianity by Linda Woodhead
Indian Philosophy by Sue Hamilton
Aristotle by Jonathan Barnes
Kant by Roger Scruton

Edited 4 hours ago by Joseph Maynor

[kavaris]

Its a good question, and im gonna look for a book on short introductions (likely yous are touching on~anything that crosses the multiple realms we've been talking about... Religion, Philosophy, Physiology/Biology or Ancient Medicine... Grammar, or Languages, or the Arts... Logic, as well as Spiritual or Mystical things that counter, or compliment Rational Logic)

And on the topic of Religion ~ or the realm right before, this word  "soteriology" -> The study or doctrine of salvation  definitely applies to Christianity. I just so happened to be looking at it in this moment.

Edit: There might be a title for the study of "that which exists right before Christianity" but i dont know what it is, and its fairly new if it does exist, or atleast i didnt know there was a such thing, beyond "the study of antiquity"? Maybe?

@Joseph Maynor Oh okay. That actually helps alot. Theology is gonna be, "The study of the nature of God and religious truth",

Aristotle i of course know well, and thats gonna be the following (These are basically what Aristotle's treatises are called too):
1. Logic -> technical explanations for categories around substance, quantity and quality, statements, affirmations, earliest language around "logic"
2. Pychology, Biology
3. Metaphysics, or First Principles & Being; Metaphysics referring to qua being; substance; form and matter; et caetera
4. Ethics and Politics - how to live and organize society
5. Rhetoric and Poetics (which is on language, persuasion, art)

p.s. i had written on Aristotle, so i had categories all laid out in front of me already, lol. Anyway, yous can use that to find books.

Edited 4 hours ago by kavaris

[Nemra]

Thank you guys.

[Nemra]

I must say that the succinctness of their book titles makes them very alluring to read.