logo
10 Must-Read Books For Anyone Interested In Philosophy

10 Must-Read Books For Anyone Interested In Philosophy

Forbes7 days ago
Plato and Aristotle in discussion, 1437, by Luca della Robbia (ca 1400-1482), marble tile, depicts ... More two of the greatest philosophers, who wrote two of the all-time best philosophy books.
Philosophy books can open your eyes to new ways of thinking and help you develop a more disciplined, informed approach to life. The best philosophical books explain complex topics using simple language and true-life examples that illustrate concepts explored in nihilism, aesthetics, logic and metaphysics. After reading good books about philosophy, you can examine your own personal beliefs from a more informed perspective. Whether you are interested in moral or political philosophy or want to read a more modern take, you can find what you are looking for in these powerful books. This list of great books about philosophy includes takes from the ancient to the contemporary era.
Top Philosophical Books
Philosophy books encompass anything that examines the acquisition of knowledge, creation of values, and logic of reason. Classical philosophy includes thoughts from ancient Greeks and Romans, like famous authors Plato and Aristotle. Modern philosophy includes thinkers from the 17th century on, building on the work of Medieval and Renaissance philosophers.
Fiction also includes philosophical themes. For instance, any novelist who examines ethics and morality touches on philosophy. Horror, mystery and sci-fi are great vehicles for this type of intellectual inquiry, as they often involve extreme circumstances. This list includes nonfiction books ranked on the uniqueness of their insights, academic rigor of their hypotheses, commercial popularity and enduring value.
Aristotle published the first Greek work to examine dramatic theory from a philosophical point of view, underscoring the importance of the arts in building a strong society. He divides the forms of poetry into distinctive groups and observes the differences in how they mimic real life.
This book is best for drama lovers or fans of Greek mythology. Aristotle's Poetics is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
Considered one of the classics of political philosophy that forms the basis for modern liberalism, Second Treatise of Government considers the basic elements of human nature. It covers debates over tolerance and just government, segueing into more contemporary concerns about citizens' essential freedoms and how to uphold them.
This book is best for anyone who wants to learn more about liberalism. John Locke's Second Treatise of Government is available from publisher Oxford University Press.
Frank B. Wilderson III's accessible yet intellectual look at how race impacts moral and political decisions was longlisted for the National Book Award. He delves into the history of Black enslavement in the United States and how it continues to impact people today, not shying away from tough ethical questions.
This book is best for anyone interested in identity and history. Frank B. Wilderson III's Afropessimism is available from publisher W.W. Norton.
Intention is one of the philosophical cornerstones of the 20th century. G.E.M. Anscombe examines how intention can (unintentionally) set us up for problems that are deceptively hard to solve. She looks at agency and people's reasons for acting the way they do. The book was hailed at publication as a work of genius.
This book is best for anyone interested in philosophy that examines action. G.E.M. Anscombe's Intention is available from publisher Harvard University Press.
Augustine of Hippo, also known as St. Augustine, grew up with parents on either side of the religious spectrum, with one an active non-believer. The saint's musings on how he came to embrace Christianity make for one of the best philosophical books about Christian doctrine.
This book is best for those seeking cross-disciplinary works. Augustine of Hippo's Confessions is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
Botticelli's 1480 depiction of St. Augustine in his cell. Also known as Augustine of Hippo, he wrote ... More "Confessions," one of the best philosophy books.
Philosopher Judith Butler (they/them) has developed powerful theories on gender. Their work, often cited by feminist and queer theory scholars, challenges conventional notions of gender and argues that power 'constrains' sex. They also explore performative sex and gender roles, taking inspiration from great literature in their work.
This book is best for anyone interested in gender identity. Judith Butler's Bodies that Matter is available from publisher Routledge.
The famed Chinese military treatise devotes each of 13 chapters to different military tactics and is arguably the most famous book on the philosophy of war. It looks at the moral imperatives of war and how each side can argue it is just. Sun Tzu highlights unity, not army size, as a critical success factor.
This book is best for those interested in the philosophy of war. Sun Tzu's The Art of War is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
Mary Wollstonecraft's extended essay is one of the first works of feminist philosophy. Her response to critics arguing against women's education doesn't call for a gender revolution but does lay out the ways education could help women better support their families and become more than just wives.
This book is best for anyone curious about early feminist theory. Mary Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
One of the most influential (and controversial) philosophy books ever published, The Second Sex helped spark the second wave of feminism. De Beauvoir begins with the question, 'What is woman?' and how women have been defined as other, i.e., not men. She also rejects traditional views of what women are supposed to be.
This book is best for anyone interested in women's treatment in the past. Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
Plato penned one of the most influential philosophy books in history with this examination of justice and whether the just man is happier than the unjust man. Using Socratic dialogue, Plato proposes a utopian state called Kallipolis and considers the nature of current regimes compared to the ideal.
This book is best for anyone interested in ethics or self help books. Plato's Republic is available from publisher Penguin Random House.
Bottom Line
Philosophy books can give you a new perspective on issues and educate you. Choosing any of these works will expand your mind and prompt new questions worth answering in your own daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Good Philosophy Books For Beginners?
Reading philosophy can be challenging. By starting with a more accessible text, readers become familiar with foundational philosophical ideas. Here are two good philosophy books for beginners:
Thomas Aquinas's Selected Writings leans heavily on Aristotle's teachings to analyze the relationship between faith and reason from a medieval Christian perspective.
Plato's The Last Days of Socrates breaks down the latter's famed trial in four propulsive dialogues.
What Are Good Philosophical Fiction Novels?
Fiction is a fruitful medium for philosophical inquiry because so many questions can be couched in the form of a story. Two excellent philosophical fiction novels are:
Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder (1991) follows a 14-year-old Norwegian girl who begins lessons on philosophy with a mysterious correspondent.
The Stranger by Albert Camus (1946) tells the story of a man who becomes embroiled in a murder while at an Algerian beach.
What Are Good Moral Philosophy Books?
Moral philosophy focuses on ethics. Two terrific moral philosophy books are:
John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism and Other Essays, which approaches morality by measuring how many people are positively impacted.
Immanuel Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) sets the foundational ground for his future arguments related to ethics.
What Are Good Political Philosophy Books?
Exploring questions related to justice, social justice and social organizing, political philosophy often weighs the obligations of the state versus the individual. Two good political philosophy books are:
Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince (1532) suggests cutthroat tactics for gaining political power, favoring efficiency over ideals.
Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan (1651) outlines the social contract theory and how government can prosper with an absolute sovereign.
What Are Good Modern Philosophy Books?
So much of popular philosophy hails from centuries ago. But modern-day philosophers still make salient points, as in these two exceptional modern philosophy books:
Natural Goodness by Philippa Foot (2003) expands on her views as one of the founders of contemporary virtue ethics, including her critiques of Kant and Nietzsche.
Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination by John Corvino, Ryan T. Anderson and Sherif Girgis (2017) offers differing takes on a slew of religious liberty issues.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

He Read (at Least) 3,599 Books in His Lifetime. Now Anyone Can See His List.
He Read (at Least) 3,599 Books in His Lifetime. Now Anyone Can See His List.

New York Times

time44 minutes ago

  • New York Times

He Read (at Least) 3,599 Books in His Lifetime. Now Anyone Can See His List.

He did not enjoy the nearly 1,000-page 'Ulysses' by James Joyce, nor L. Ron Hubbard's 'Mission Earth,' a 10-volume science fiction series published in the 1980s. But once Dan Pelzer set his mind on reading something, he did not put it down until he was finished. That's how Mr. Pelzer's children said he was able to read 3,599 books from 1962, when he first began jotting his reads down on his language class work sheets while stationed in Nepal with the Peace Corps, to 2023, when his eyesight failed him and he could no longer read. Mr. Pelzer died at 92 on July 1 in Columbus, Ohio, where he had lived for five decades. At the funeral, his daughter, Marci Pelzer, wanted to hand out his reading list to friends and family. But at more than 100 pages, it was not practical to print physical copies. So Ms. Pelzer, 52, had her godson create a website, which guests could access through a QR code on the back of the funeral program. 'I just thought it'd be so cool to give people who cared, who he cared about — to send them away from the funeral with the list,' Ms. Pelzer said. via Marci Pelzer Mr. Pelzer's reading choices were varied. In the 1980s, he read several books on the mental health of adolescents, which Ms. Pelzer said probably served as resources for his job as a social worker at a juvenile correctional facility in Ohio. On the list for 1999: Classics, bildungsromans and autofiction. John Grisham, the prolific author of courtroom dramas, might have been his most-read author, Ms. Pelzer said. And, as his eyesight began to fail him in 2023, Charles Dickens's 'David Copperfield' was the last book he ever read. 'I remember the conversations that we had about books that we both loved,' said Ms. Pelzer. 'He loved reading about religion. He loved memoirs. He loved novels.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Be the Reader You Want to See in the World
Be the Reader You Want to See in the World

Wall Street Journal

time8 hours ago

  • Wall Street Journal

Be the Reader You Want to See in the World

I appreciate Meghan Cox Gurdon's 'Put Down the Phone and Pull Out a Book' (op-ed, July 23) and exercise a 'bit of countercultural aggression' myself on occasion. When at the car dealership or medical office I ask those around me if they would object to my turning off the waiting room television so that I may enjoy reading my book. Replies invariably range from 'not at all' to 'please do' to quiet smiles of approval as I turn the TV off. Cynthia Rouvalis

This Ingredient Doesn't Help Your Pasta Water Boil Quicker, but It's Still Important
This Ingredient Doesn't Help Your Pasta Water Boil Quicker, but It's Still Important

CNET

time17 hours ago

  • CNET

This Ingredient Doesn't Help Your Pasta Water Boil Quicker, but It's Still Important

Pasta is the perfect meal for new cooks. After alll, you just have to drop noodles into boiling water and wait for them to cook, before adding sauce and enjoying your creation. Although it is quite simple, there are still nuances to making perfect penne or linguini that shouldn't go overlooked. Along with pasta's undeniable popularity comes a swell of hacks promising better, faster cooking results. And while some of these viral tips may do some good, many of them are pure farce, according to an Italian chef I spoke with. To learn the biggest pasta-making mistakes folks are making, I talked to professional chef and pasta pro Filippo de Marchi, chef de cuisine at De Majo Restaurant & Terrace. Here's everything you need to know about making the Italian staple. 1. Throwing pasta against a wall to see if it sticks Cooked pasta will indeed stick to a wall but that doesn't mean it's a good way to determine doneness. Laura Ciapponi/Getty "This isn't the best way to check for doneness," says de Marchi. "The texture of the pasta can change when it hits the wall and it doesn't give an accurate indication of whether it's properly cooked." Plus, you're likely to splatter your wall with starchy noodle juice or worse, watch it slide down the wall and behind the stove. Instead, scoop out a single strand and taste it. You'll then be able to tell if it's achieved that perfect al dente texture. 2. Adding olive oil to pasta water Olive oil in your water isn't the best fix for sticky pasta. Alina Bradford/CNET One of the worst offenses, according to Marchi, is adding pricey olive oil to pasta water thinking it will keep noodles from sticking. Olive oil is a necessary addition to most pasta dishes, but save it for the plate. Some folks think it will help keep pasta from sticking when added to boiling pasta water but "the oil just floats on top of the water and doesn't coat the pasta effectively," says de Marchi. "The best way to prevent sticking is to use plenty of water, stir the pasta regularly during the first few minutes of cooking and make sure to use the right size pot for the amount of pasta you're cooking. "This way, the pasta has enough space to move around and cook evenly," he adds. 3. Leaving the pot covered while the pasta is cooking Stopping your pot from boiling over can be as easy as putting a wooden spoon across the top. JannHuizenga/Getty Images "Leaving the lid off the pot while the pasta is cooking is the way to go," advises de Marchi. "This prevents the water from boiling over and helps control the cooking process. Plus, it allows the steam to escape, which helps prevent the water from foaming up and making a starchy mess." As recommended, be sure to also pick an appropriately sized pot so that your pasta cooks evenly. 4. Adding salt and thinking it will help the water boil faster Salt won't get your pasta water boiling significantly faster. Morton Salt/Amazon Based on a recent Reddit discussion, quite a few people are confused about whether adding salt to pasta water makes any real difference. The truth is that salt plays an important role in pasta water, but not when it comes to heat. (Impurities do change the boiling point of water, but the amount of salt you add to pasta water doesn't make a significant difference.) Rather, it's essential to add salt so that the pasta can absorb its flavor. "If you're cooking without enough salt, the pasta can end up tasting a bit bland," warns de Marchi, whose signature dish at NHC Murano Villa is spaghetti alle vongole. The seafood dish hails from the region of ocean-adjacent Venice and consists of vongole (typically clams, garlic, white wine, and chili flakes), sea asparagus, and lemon zest. 5. Draining pasta until it's completely dry Leaving a whisper of pasta water will help the sauce adhere. David Watsky/CNET There is a reason why salted pasta water is held in such high regard. Not only does it contain a delicious brine to enhance sauces, but it also helps the sauce adhere to the pasta itself. "This creates a more cohesive and flavorful dish," argues De Marchi. "A little moisture can go a long way in making your pasta dish extra tasty." 6. Running cooked pasta under water before serving Rinsing pasta after cooking may not be the special trick we all thought it was. Getty Images If you want to subject yourself to a potential injury via a rolling pin or wooden spoon by Nonna, run your cooked pasta under fresh water. "This can remove the starchy coating that helps the sauce adhere to the pasta," says de Marchi. "The residual heat from the pasta helps the sauce to marry with the pasta, creating a more flavorful and cohesive dish. Think of it like a beautiful marriage -- you want the sauce and the pasta to come together and live happily ever after, not to undergo a cold shower right before serving." 7. Precooking sheets of lasagna Not all lasagna recipes require precooked noodles. CNET "Precooking lasagna sheets isn't always necessary, especially if you're using a sauce with plenty of moisture," he says. "In fact, many lasagna recipes call for using the sheets directly without precooking, allowing them to absorb liquid from the sauce and cook during the baking process." Set it, forget it and let the magic happen in the oven. Pasta is not something to overthink or stress over. Its simple preparation makes it all the more enjoyable.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store