10 Must-Read Books For Anyone Interested In Philosophy
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.
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