20 Best Books For Philosophy (2023 Update)

An innovative and accessible guide to more than 2,000 years of thought to the complete novice learning about philosophy can be daunting � the philosophy book changes all that. with the use of powerful and easy-to-follow images, succinct quotations, and explanations that are easily understandable, this book cuts through any misunderstandings to demystify the subject. each chapter is organised chronologically, and covers not only the big ideas, but the philosophers who first voiced them, as well as cross-referencing with earlier and later ideas and thinkers. the philosophy book untangles knotty theories and sheds light on abstract concepts, and is perfect for anyone with a general interest in how our social, political, and ethical ideas are formed, as well as students of philosophy and politics. covers major and niche topics, from moral ethics to philosophies of religion

Discover how our big social, political and ethical ideas are formed with the philosophy book. – part of the fascinating big ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. learn about philosophy in this overview guide to the subject, great for beginners looking to learn and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! the philosophy book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. – the philosophy book is the perfect introduction to philosophy, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. here you’ll discover how key concepts in philosophy have shaped our world, with authoritative articles that explore big ideas. learn about everyone who’s contributed to the flow of world philosophy, from antiquity to the modern age, through superb mind maps explaining the line of thought. your philosophical questions, simply explained – if you thought it was difficult to learn philosophy and its many concepts, the philosophy book presents the key ideas in a clear layout. what is the universe made of? and work your way through the different branches of philosophy such as metaphysics and ethics, from ancient and modern thinkers. – with millions of copies sold worldwide, the philosophy book is part of the award-winning big ideas series from dk. the series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

A deluxe special edition of the ancient classic written by the roman emperor known as “the philosopher” meditations is a series of personal journals written by marcus aurelius, emperor of rome from 169 to 180 ad. marcus was one of the leaders of stoicism, a philosophy of personal ethics which sought resilience and virtue through personal action and responsibility. stoicism, viewed as a foundation of modern self-help, has inspired many personal development and psychotherapy approaches through to the present day. meditations is perhaps the most important source of our modern understanding of stoic philosophy. its twelve books chronicle different stages of marcus aurelius’ life and ideas. although he ruled during the pax romana, the age of relative peace and stability throughout the empire, his reign was marked by near-constant military conflict and a devastating plague which killed upwards of five million people. aurelius’ writings give modern readers an unprecedented look into the “spiritual exercises” which helped him through his tumultuous life and strengthened his patience, empathy, generosity, self-knowledge and emotional health. the private reflections recorded in the meditations were never meant to be published, rather they were a source for marcus’ own guidance and self-improvement, and jotted down by campfires or in military tents on the roman front. the lessons, insights and perspectives contained within this remarkable work are just as relevant today as they were two millennia ago. this volume: presents the timeless wisdom of emperor marcus aurelius and his stoic philosophy, with new research on his life and times contains valuable insights on topics such as resilience, moderation and emotional control discusses how to live “in agreement with nature” and abide by strong ethical principles part of the bestselling capstone classics series edited by tom butler-bowdon, this attractive, high-quality hardcover volume includes: an original introduction by marcus aurelius authority and stoicism expert donald robertson, author of how to think like a roman emperor. a modernised, up to date version of the classic george long translation. meditations: the philosophy classic is a volume which will occupy a prominent place in any library for years to come.

Life's ultimate questions is unique among introductory philosophy textbooks. by synthesizing three distinct approaches — topical, historical, and worldview/conceptual systems — it affords students a breadth and depth of perspective previously unavailable in standard introductory texts. part one, six conceptual systems, explores the philosophies of: naturalism, plato, aristotle, plotinus, augustine, and aquinas. part two, important problems in philosophy, sheds light on: the law of noncontradiction, possible words, epistemology i: whatever happened to truth?, epistemology ii: a tale of two systems, epistemology iii: reformed epistemology, god i: the existence of god, god ii: the nature of god, metaphysics: some questions about indeterminism, ethics i: the downward path, ethics ii: the upward path, human nature: the mind-body problem and survival after death

Author: russell, bertrand | description: hailed as lucid and magisterial by "the" "observer," this book is universally acclaimed as the outstanding one-volume work on the subject of western philosophy. considered to be one of the most important philosophical works of all time, the "history of western philosophy" is a dazzlingly unique exploration of the ideologies of significant philosophers throughout the ages from plato and aristotle through to spinoza, kant and the twentieth century. written by a man who changed the history of philosophy himself, this is an account that has never been rivaled since its first publication over sixty years ago. since its first publication in 1945, lord russell s "a history of western philosophy" is still unparalleled in its comprehensiveness, its clarity, its erudition, its grace, and its wit. in seventy-six chapters he traces philosophy from the rise of greek civilization to the emergence of logical analysis in the twentieth century. among the philosophers considered are: pythagoras, heracl

Now updated and with a fresh new look, the highly successful the story of philosophy traces more than 2,500 years of western philosophy, from plato and aristotle in ancient greece to saint augustine and medieval philosophy, the golden century of german philosophy, bertrand russell and albert camus of the modern era, and much more. world-renowned philosopher and professor bryan magee expertly guides your exploration through the major philosophical issues, the important questions, and the key contributions of the great philosophers in this illustrated, accessible guide.discover the great thinkers in their historical contexts and learn the influences that shaped their lives and work. in the story of philosophy, revised and updated, each philosophical movement includes profiles of key philosophers and their important works, historical contexts and influences, important quotes, and other related people and ideas.

A deluxe, high-quality edition of friedrich nietzsche’s seminal work beyond good and evil is one of the final books by german philosopher friedrich nietzsche. this landmark work continues to be one of the most well-known and influential explorations of moral and ethical philosophy ever conceived. expanding on the concepts from his previous work thus spoke zarathustra, nietzsche adopts a polemic approach to past philosophers who, in his view, lacked critical sense in accepting flawed premises in their consideration of morality. the metaphysics of morality, nietzsche argues, should not assume that a good man is simply the opposite of an evil man, rather merely different expression of humanity’s common basic impulses. controversial in its time, as well as hotly debated in the present, nietzsche’s work moves beyond conventional ethics to suggest that a universal morality for all human beings in non-existent – perception, reason and experience are not static, but change according to an individual’s perspective and interpretation. the work further argues that philosophic traditions such as “truth,” “self-consciousness” and “free will” are merely inventions of western morality and that the “will to power” is the real driving force of all human behaviour. this volume: critiques the belief that actions, including domination or injury to the weak, can be universally objectionable explores themes of religion and “master and slave” morality includes a collection of stunning aphorisms and observations of the human condition part of the bestselling capstone classics series edited by tom butler-bowdon,this collectible, hard-back edition of beyond good and evil provides an accessible and insightful introduction by leading nietzsche authority dr christopher janaway. this deluxe volume is perfect for anyone with interest in philosophy, psychology, science, history and literature.

More than two thousand years ago, aristotle established unique standards of philosophic inquiry, observation, and judgment. this book offers a contemporary reevaluation of the philosophy of the master of western thought, and shows his vital, continuing influence in our modern world.

Unabridged private reflections of the emperor of rome, on how one is to exist in a world of chaos. meditations by marcus aurelius and in the most accepted translation by george long, is a book that belongs on everyone's shelf. a favorite of bill clinton and john steinbeck, and influencer of many others for 2,000 years, it is as relevant today to those in power struggles over empires and boardrooms as it was when it was first recorded.

#1 national bestseller #1 international bestsellerwhat does everyone in the modern world need to know? renowned psychologist jordan b. peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.humorous, surprising and informative, dr. peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.what does the nervous system of the lowly lobster have to tell us about standing up straight (with our shoulders back) and about success in life? why did ancient egyptians worship the capacity to pay careful attention as the highest of gods? what dreadful paths do people tread when they become resentful, arrogant and vengeful? peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 rules for life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers.

Nietzsche's mature masterpiece, beyond good and evil considers the origins and nature of judeo-christian morality; the end of philosophical dogmatism and beginning of perspectivism; the questionable virtues of science and scholarship; liberal democracy, nationalism, and women's emancipation.

Nearly two thousand years after it was written, meditations remains profoundly relevant for anyone seeking to lead a meaningful life. few ancient works have been as influential as the meditations of marcus aurelius, philosopher and emperor of rome (a.d. 161-180). a series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. marcuss insights and advice–on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others–have made the meditations required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. for anyone who struggles to reconcile the demands of leadership with a concern for personal integrity and spiritual well-being, the meditations remains as relevant now as it was two thousand years ago. in gregory hayss new translation–the first in thirty-five years–marcuss thoughts speak with a new immediacy. in fresh and unencumbered english, hays vividly conveys the spareness and compression of the original greek text. never before have marcuss insights been so directly and powerfully presented. with an introduction that outlines marcuss life and career, the essentials of stoic doctrine, the style and construction of the meditations, and the works ongoing influence, this edition makes it possible to fully rediscover the thoughts of one of the most enlightened and intelligent leaders of any era.

Esteemed for providing the best available translations, philosophic classics: modern philosophy, features complete works or complete sections of the most important works by the major thinkers, as well as shorter samples from transitional thinkers. first published in 1961, forrest e. baird's revision of philosophic classics, pearson education's long-standing anthology (available in split volumes), continues the tradition of providing generations of students with high quality course material. using the complete works, or where appropriate, complete sections of works, this anthology allows philosophers to speak directly to students.

The first ever global overview of philosophy: how it developed around the world and impacted the cultures in which it flourished, now in paperback." there to fill the sapiens-size hole in your life" – the observerin this groundbreaking global overview of philosophy, julian baggini travels the world to provide a wide-ranging map of human thought.one of the great unexplained wonders of human history is that written philosophy flowered entirely separately in china, india and ancient greece at more or less the same time. these early philosophies have had a profound impact on the development of distinctive cultures in different parts of the world. interviewing thinkers from around the globe, baggini asks questions such as: why is the west is more individualistic than the east? what makes secularism a less powerful force in the islamic world than in europe? and how has china resisted pressures for greater political freedom?

From one of the major figures of twentieth-century intellectual life, an incisive critique of faith and reason in the secular age originally published in 1958, critique of religion and philosophy is walter kaufmann's luminous appraisal of the orthodoxies of his day. although he was a philosopher first and foremost, kaufmann was not immune to the wellsprings from which religion originates, considering it to be among the most vital and radical expressions of the human intellect. in this panoramic and uniquely personal book, he tests the limits of faith and reason in our secular age. kaufmann discusses topics ranging from positivism and existentialism to language, scripture, and eros, and shares his views on thinkers such as plato, aquinas, kant, bultmann, niebuhr, and freud. challenging, playful, and disarmingly honest, critique of religion and philosophy is as bold and provocative as when it was first published.

Relax, unwind and soak up the wisdom of the sloth with the slowest page turner you'll ever read. – from tidying and hygge, to living lagom, the endless pressure to be happier, live better, sleep soundly, and eat mindfully can be exhausting. but this year's lifestyle trend finally delivers the perfect antidote – welcome to the year of the sloth. – sloths are mindfulness in action. contemplative, deliberate, relaxed, and focused. they resist the rat race, the incessant pressures from society to be more productive, and they don't care how many steps they've logged on their fitness tracker. long-limbed, a little bit shaggy, and a lot wide-eyed, they're wonderful creatures, not to mention completely adorable. – here you can enjoy take-it-slow wisdom inspired by sloths; including advice on sleep (more restorative than a 6am run), eating and 'exercise' (sloths are the original pioneers of slow food and yoga after all), work (did you know that lazy people have higher iqs?), family life, and love. – dispelling over-complicated myths about productivity, this brilliant book confirms that it really is ok to be a sloth.

Relax, unwind and soak up the wisdom of the sloth with the slowest page turner you'll ever read. – from tidying and hygge, to living lagom, the endless pressure to be happier, live better, sleep soundly, and eat mindfully can be exhausting. but this year's lifestyle trend finally delivers the perfect antidote – welcome to the year of the sloth. – sloths are mindfulness in action. contemplative, deliberate, relaxed, and focused. they resist the rat race, the incessant pressures from society to be more productive, and they don't care how many steps they've logged on their fitness tracker. long-limbed, a little bit shaggy, and a lot wide-eyed, they're wonderful creatures, not to mention completely adorable. – here you can enjoy take-it-slow wisdom inspired by sloths; including advice on sleep (more restorative than a 6am run), eating and 'exercise' (sloths are the original pioneers of slow food and yoga after all), work (did you know that lazy people have higher iqs?), family life, and love. – dispelling over-complicated myths about productivity, this brilliant book confirms that it really is ok to be a sloth.

Philosophy, 100 essential thinkers tells the story of philosophic thought, from the ancient greeks to w.v.o. quine, america's greatest living philosopher up until his death on christmas day, 2000. while covering all of the greats of philosophy (plato, socrates, spinoza, hobbes, rousseau, kierkegaard, nietzsche, wittgenstein, de beauvoir and camus, to name just a few), this book also includes many who are not seen primarily as philosophers, such as darwin, freud, adam smith, william james, and einstein. taking up the fundamental questions asked by philosophers, such as-what does it mean to live a good life? what is justice? full of thought-provoking quotations, biographical detail, and clear explanations, philosophy is food for the intellectually curious. who am i? this engaging and accessible book invites the reader to explore the questions and arguments of philosophy through the work of one hundred of the greatest thinkers within the western intellectual tradition. covering philosophical, scientific, political and religious thought over a period of 2500 years, philosophy will serve as an excellent guide for those interested in knowing about individual thinkers-such as plato, aristotle, rousseau and nietzsche, to name just a few-and the questions and observations that inspired them to write. by presenting individual thinkers, details of their lives and the concerns and circumstances that motivated them, this book makes philosophy come to life as a relevant and meaningful approach to thinking about the contemporary world. a lucid and engaging book full of thought-provoking quotations, as well as clear explanations and definitions, philosophy is sure to encourage students and laymen alike to investigate further. philosophy includes a 10-page glossary that defines 69 terms including aesthetics, concept, essence, materialism, natural law, theism and verifiability.

Philosophers certainly like to make life sound awfully complicated, whether they're wondering if a falling tree still makes a sound if there's nobody around to hear it (berkeley) or declaring that everything in the universe is in a state of flux (heraclitus). but is philosophy really so complicated? and is it really as irrelevant as it sometimes seems?

The new edition of this introductory text presents, in an accessible way, classical and contemporary readings on topics central to and representative of all major periods of the western philosophical tradition. the book presents 55 readings (23 of which are new to the fourth edition) on seven topics: epistemology, philosophy of religion, metaphysics, personal identity and immortality, free will and determinism, ethics, and political and social philosophy. pedagogical features make these readings accessible and interesting to beginning students. all the introductions and biographical sketches have been revised for the fourth edition, as have the study questions and glossary. the explanatory footnotes and the stylistic modernization of texts are new to the fourth edition.