Preparing to Study Philosophy
The best way to prepare for a philosophy course is to start doing philosophy. This is easier in company than alone, so seek out your local philosophy club or society. If you live near Hatfield, you are welcome to come to our free talks. In London, you might get involved with Philosophy For All. Philosophy clubs exist all over the country, though they are sometimes hard to track down.
Philosophy is a difficult subject to study without some guidance, so do not be put off if you find some of the reading hard. If a passage seems too difficult, skip it and return to it later. It is better to read just one book carefully than to attempt to read several books rapidly.
The first textbook you will need for Introduction to Philosophy (the main first-year module) is:
Reading Philosophy: Selected Texts with a Method for Beginners edited by Guttenplan, Hornsby and Janaway. WileyBlackwell,2002.
Read the introduction and any chapter that takes your fancy. Later in the course you will need:
The Meaning of Life edited by E.D. Klemke. New York; Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Some good preparatory readings on ethical philosophy are:
Being Good, Simon Blackburn. Oxford University Press. 2002.
Exploring Ethics: A Traveller's Tale. Almond, B Oxford: Blackwell. 1998.
Blackwell Guide to Ethical Theory. Lafollette, H. (ed.) Oxford: Blackwell. 1999.
Some recent general Introductions to Philosophy:
Think. Blackburn, S. Oxford: OUP. 1999.
A Brief History of Western Philosophy. Kenny, A. Oxford: Blackwell. 1998.