I disagree that a beginner should start with Modern philosophy. If you make the comparison to art, it is better to study classical art than Modern art first. Before getting into the abstractions of Modernity, it is good to start with the realities of classicism. Only then do you understand how Modernity and Postmodernity are forms of Idealism, while classicism was forms of Realism. This is instantly apparent in art when you compare Greek sculpture to a Picasso. Once you break a person’s perspective with Idealism there is no going back to Realism.