Quote:
Originally Posted by peter12
What I do not like about the summaries is that they have an automatic imposition of the author's bias on what is supposed to be neutral commentary. Readers are fooled into thinking a certain concept, instead of just thinking for themselves. Just go for a polemic or actually read a few of the Old Books.
There are some extraordinarily good commentaries done by the Straussians, and Eric Voegelin, however. If you get Plato's Republic, get the Allan Bloom translation (Strauss' greatest student) for the critical essay following the primary text.
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True, though I should make it known to the OP that the book I suggested is not comprised of summaries, but is simply excerpts of the myriad works that have transformed Western thought.
It might seem quite laborious by how many pages are involved, but each thinker is allotted anywhere between 20 and 50 pages, and can be easily read in a sitting. You will not understand all of them, but a brief context is provided by the editor that does not impose itself on the work itself.
It is true that it only gives a "snapshot" of the authors work, but given your desire for an introduction, this is about as good as it will get from my experience.
As an addition to Plato's republic, I would recommend reading some of the Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau. Also, Locke, Nietzsche, Paine, Sartre are worth a look. Research authors, and knowing what interests you, select a compelling work and just read through it.
Oh, and Aristotle was bestowed the title of father of Western thought - for good reason. Might want to check him out as well.