20 Best Books On Philosophy Of Life (2023 Update)

The new york times bestselling author of the geography of bliss embarks on a rollicking intellectual journey, following in the footsteps of history’s greatest thinkers and showing us how each—from epicurus to gandhi, thoreau to beauvoir—offers practical and spiritual lessons for today’s unsettled times. face regrets. sustain hope. eric weiner combines his twin passions for philosophy and global travel in a pilgrimage that uncovers surprising life lessons from great thinkers around the world, from rousseau to nietzsche, confucius to simone weil. traveling by train (the most thoughtful mode of transport), he journeys thousands of miles, making stops in athens, delhi, wyoming, coney island, frankfurt, and points in between to reconnect with philosophy’s original purpose: teaching us how to lead wiser, more meaningful lives. in the socrates express, weiner invites us to voyage alongside him on his life-changing pursuit of wisdom and discovery as he attempts to find answers to our most vital questions.

Pierre hadot is arguably one of the most influential and wide-ranging historians of ancient philosophy writing today. as well as having an important influence on the work of michel foucault, hadot's work has been pivotal in the development of contemporary french philosophy. his work is currently concerned with a redefinition of modern philosophy through a study of ancient life and ancient philosophical texts. this book presents a history of spiritual exercises from socrates to early christianity, an account of their decline in modern philosophy, and a discussion of the different conceptions of philosophy that have accompanied the trajectory and fate of the theory and practice of spiritual exercises. hadot's book demonstrates the extent to which philosophy has been, and still is, above all else a way of seeing and of being in the world.

Before they were the stuff of dry college courses, the twelve thinkers showcased here were radical, sometimes persecuted, thought pioneers. they also meant their work to be useful, rather than theoretical. as a college student plagued by panic attacks and depression, jules evans found a powerful kind of self-help in the ancients. they saved his life” and prompted his five-year journey to find how others were currently using classical philosophy. along the way he met the founders of cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt), who have turned ancient thought into the evidence-based science used by millions of therapists today. he speaks with the director of the u.s. army's new resilience program, which employs ancient techniques to help build inner strength. from anarchists to astronauts, skeptic summer camps to stoic conferences, he finds living lessons in happiness, fortitude, and fulfillment, at work and at home, for self and community, in love and loss.

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.

Timeless advice on the art of living well, from the celebrated penguin great ideas seriesthe writings of the ancient roman philosopher seneca offer powerful insights into stoicism, morality and the importance of reason, and continue to provide profound guidance to many through their eloquence, lucidity and wisdom.throughout history, some books have changed the world. they have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. they have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. they have enriched lives – and destroyed them.

What makes for a good life? in the best things in life, distinguished philosopher thomas hurka takes a fresh look at these perennial questions as they arise for us now in the 21st century. what activities bring us the most joy? while religion, literature, popular psychology, and everyday wisdom all grapple with these questions, philosophy more than anything else uses the tools of reason to make important distinctions, cut away irrelevancies, and distill these issues down to their essentials. unlike many philosophers, he stresses that there isn't just one good in life but many: pleasure, as epicurus argued, is indeed one, but knowledge, as socrates contended, is another, as is achievement.

What if only 10 minutes of specific action a day could turn your life completely around? what if you ditched the "i have no time" excuse and consistently focused on a key goal for 10 minutes a day? imagine steadily chipping away at your dreams even in busy weeks – without being stopped by life's constant craziness. – michal stawicki's "10-minute philosophy" is easily understood. by successfully employing it, michal has transformed from a miserable cog in a corporation into an international bestselling author and business owner. – using the same principles in wildly different areas (including weight loss, speed reading, home schooling, time management, and overcoming shyness) he achieved his desired goals every time. michal describes his experience in five books which have already helped tens of thousands of his readers to improve their lives. – these are now available in this single volume (over 280 pages!), at an enticing discount. – weight loss – the fitness expert next door – how i and 1539 other common folks have lost a significant amount of weight, and you can too! get to the bottom line of weight loss. you don't need to become a fitness encyclopedia to lose weight. – you'll discover how to successfully establish: – an incentive to start- a mindset to persevere- creativity to fine tune your tactics- consistency to stay the course – speed reading – learn to read with great speed! only 10 minutes a day! looking for a no nonsense approach to speed reading? in this book, you'll: – learn about speed reading obstacles and techniques- choose the techniques that suit you best- learn about my "10-minute philosophy" and 10 minute speed reading program- find links to 8 free, online speed reading resources- adapt my program to your needs – home schooling – release your kid's dormant genius in just 10 minutes a day – help your kid achieve great results by following simple, daily disciplines"release your kid's dormant genius" is a guideline for success, it is not a "magic snake-oil cure." inside the book you will find: -how to identify and fix your child's problem areas-the successful techniques i used to help my son turn his performance around-7 tips on how to creating your 10 minute teaching program – time management – your dreams can coexist with your life – the first two chapters deal with the philosophy of building a productive mindset; after all, time management is all about having the right attitudes. the remainder of the book delves right into specific techniques you can easily implement. – overcoming shyness – from shy to hi – discover practical methods to help you feel at ease and confident in all areas of your life. – from shy to hi is a no-nonsense approach to overcoming the painful discomfort of bashfulness. – in from shy to hi, you'll discover: -the mindset that will encourage you to beat timidity-successful strategies from others who have overcome their restrictive habits-a full 21-day blueprint to turn your coyness into self-assurance-personal success stories, tactics for a variety of circumstances, and much, much more! take action; change your life. – those five areas are just examples – a deep dive into practical applications of the universal "10-minute philosophy". applying this philosophy consistently will enable you to have success in any area of your life. – grab your copy today and start improving your life in just 10 minutes a day!

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

What is love? is lying always wrong? is beauty a matter of fact, or a matter of taste? what is discrimination? the answers to these questions, and more, are examined in philosophy for teens: questioning life's big ideas, an in-depth, teenager-friendly look at the philosophy behind everyday issues. the authors examine some of life's biggest topics, such as: lying, cheating, love, beauty, the role of government, hate, and prejudice. both sides of the debates are covered on every issue, with information from some of the world's most noted philosophers included in a conversational style that teenagers will love. each chapter includes discussions questions, thought experiments, exercises and activities, and community action steps to help students make reasoned, informed decisions about some of life's greatest debates. examining life's big ideas and discovering their own opinions have never been easier or more exciting for today's teens.

Winner of the 2015 hiett prize in the humanities. sometimes it seems like you need a phd just to open a book of philosophy. scott samuelson thinks this is tragic, for our lives as well as for philosophy. in the deepest human life he takes philosophy back from the specialists and restores it to its proper place at the center of our humanity, rediscovering it as our most profound effort toward understanding, as a way of life that anyone can live. exploring the works of some of history’s most important thinkers in the context of the everyday struggles of his students, he guides us through the most vexing quandaries of our existence—and shows just how enriching the examined life can be. samuelson begins at the beginning: with socrates, working his most famous assertion—that wisdom is knowing that one knows nothing—into a method, a way of approaching our greatest mysteries. from there he springboards into a rich history of philosophy and the ways its journey is encoded in our own quests for meaning. he ruminates on epicurus against the sonic backdrop of crickets and restaurant goers in iowa city. he follows the stoics into the cell where james stockdale spent seven years as a prisoner of war. he spins with al-ghazali first in doubt, then in the ecstasy of the divine. and he gets the philosophy education of his life when one of his students, who authorized a risky surgery for her son that inadvertently led to his death, asks with tears in her eyes if kant was right, if it really is the motive that matters and not the consequences. through heartbreaking stories, humanizing biographies, accessible theory, and evocative interludes like “on wine and bicycles” or “on zombies and superheroes ,” he invests philosophy with the personal and vice versa. the result is a book that is at once a primer and a reassurance—that the most important questions endure, coming to life in each of us.

Winner of the 2015 hiett prize in the humanities. sometimes it seems like you need a phd just to open a book of philosophy. scott samuelson thinks this is tragic, for our lives as well as for philosophy. in the deepest human life he takes philosophy back from the specialists and restores it to its proper place at the center of our humanity, rediscovering it as our most profound effort toward understanding, as a way of life that anyone can live. exploring the works of some of history’s most important thinkers in the context of the everyday struggles of his students, he guides us through the most vexing quandaries of our existence—and shows just how enriching the examined life can be. samuelson begins at the beginning: with socrates, working his most famous assertion—that wisdom is knowing that one knows nothing—into a method, a way of approaching our greatest mysteries. from there he springboards into a rich history of philosophy and the ways its journey is encoded in our own quests for meaning. he ruminates on epicurus against the sonic backdrop of crickets and restaurant goers in iowa city. he follows the stoics into the cell where james stockdale spent seven years as a prisoner of war. he spins with al-ghazali first in doubt, then in the ecstasy of the divine. and he gets the philosophy education of his life when one of his students, who authorized a risky surgery for her son that inadvertently led to his death, asks with tears in her eyes if kant was right, if it really is the motive that matters and not the consequences. through heartbreaking stories, humanizing biographies, accessible theory, and evocative interludes like “on wine and bicycles” or “on zombies and superheroes ,” he invests philosophy with the personal and vice versa. the result is a book that is at once a primer and a reassurance—that the most important questions endure, coming to life in each of us.

French philosophy and meditation expert fabrice midal's the three-minute philosopher includes forty brief essays for tapping into a deeper understanding of your existence, with experiences that will transform, enlighten, and invite you to see the world in a new way. philosophy takes us by surprise. it challenges us, awakens us, and opens our minds. it does not tell us to be "wise" or to be a perfect being, but instead to nurture our own humanity. philosophical thinking is the antithesis of the rampant dogmatism that dominates so much public discussion, of the vehemently expressed opinions of those who think they know everything and who insist you agree with them. self-proclaimed experts tell us to listen to and obey their injunctions, but philosophers encourage us to think for ourselves. fabrice midal teaches the power of trusting in our own thoughts and strengthening our connection to humanity, as he guides us through the inspirational ideas of forty writers, artists, thinkers, and seers from baudelaire to nietzsche, emily dickinson to toni morrison, pablo picasso to james baldwin, and of course, socrates to aristotle.

#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.

A great philosopher once observed, "philosophers let theories get in the way of what they and everybody else know." in the midst of a culture permeated by philosophies that seek to redefine the universally available meaning of what it is to be human, fr. you will find such tools in these pages that explore what it means to be human with metaphysical, anthropological, and ethical dimensions. but this book does more than offer tools for seeing and understanding. it is a refutation of philosophies which prize love of theory over love of truth; a rebuke of any metaphysics that cannot account for itself; a refutation of anthropologies which are unworthy of the human person; and a refutation of ethical systems which reduce the great dignity and destiny of the human person. most importantly, this book is a prescription for an alternative: it is a real philosophy for real people, wherein the best of classical philosophy finds its fulfillment, expressed in a contemporary idiom that is accessible to the layman and plausible to the scholar. it offers a catalog of errors with their refutations, and a map for living a truly human life. it is a portable error-detector, while providing a basis for knowing and presenting the truth.

Jean francois-revel, a pillar of french intellectual life in our time, became world famous for his challenges to both communism and christianity. twenty-seven years ago, his son, matthieu ricard, gave up a promising career as a scientist to study tibetan buddhism — not as a detached observer but by immersing himself in its practice under the guidance of its greatest living masters.meeting in an inn overlooking katmandu, these two profoundly thoughtful men explored the questions that have occupied humankind throughout its history. does life have meaning? what is consciousness? is man free? what is the value of scientific and material progress? why is there suffering, war, and hatred?

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.

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

This book is a wonderful introduction to one of history's greatest figures: marcus aurelius. his life and this book are a clear guide for those facing adversity, seeking tranquility and pursuing excellence.ryan holiday, bestselling author of the obstacle is the way and the daily stoicthe life changing principles of stoicism taught through the story of its most famous proponent. roman emperor marcus aurelius was the last famous stoic philosopher of the ancient world. the meditations, his personal journal, survives to this day as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. robertson shows how marcus used philosophical doctrines and therapeutic practices to build emotional resilience and endure tremendous adversity, and guides readers through applying the same methods to their own lives.combining remarkable stories from marcus’s life with insights from modern psychology and the enduring wisdom of his philosophy.

Tragic sense of life is a book of philosophical reflection which considers the nature and transience of humanity, the trials – physical, societal and emotional – of existence, together with death and the afterlife. a superb treatise whereby the author's intellect is unleashed upon a variety of questions, this text combines the passionate liveliness found in unamuno's fictional efforts with a thought-provoking gravitas cast upon life and living. the towering ambitions of man are shown to pale in the face of limitations and reality: immortality, the greatest aspiration of all, is but an impossibility. the title, in alluding to tragedy, foretells the author's argument that life and human nature have a strong streak of absurdity. in the final chapter, the author compares the classic story of don quixote – the man whose mad ambition led him to ride his horse in four directions at once – with everyday human life.

Tragic sense of life is a book of philosophical reflection which considers the nature and transience of humanity, the trials – physical, societal and emotional – of existence, together with death and the afterlife. a superb treatise whereby the author's intellect is unleashed upon a variety of questions, this text combines the passionate liveliness found in unamuno's fictional efforts with a thought-provoking gravitas cast upon life and living. the towering ambitions of man are shown to pale in the face of limitations and reality: immortality, the greatest aspiration of all, is but an impossibility. the title, in alluding to tragedy, foretells the author's argument that life and human nature have a strong streak of absurdity. in the final chapter, the author compares the classic story of don quixote – the man whose mad ambition led him to ride his horse in four directions at once – with everyday human life.