I changed my mind about philosophy when I discovered philosophy books that challenged my thinking and provided me with timeless wisdom. here is a list of the best philosophy books to help you avoid mistakes and learn to live better.
everyone has weaknesses, limits and sufferings, even philosophers. the only difference is that they passed on what they learned from their discoveries and experiences, so we can all learn from them.
You are reading: Top 10 philosophy books
all of us who have entered philosophy have a love or hate relationship with study.
The truth is that not all philosophy books are fun to read. but many of them are funny and sometimes become practical guides that help people find meaning and reason.
📚 Do you like to read? Take a look at these 20 books that will change your life
sophie’s world by jostein gaarder
We start our list with something light that newcomers to philosophy books can read and enjoy. The novel tells the story of 14-year-old Sophie who, perplexed with life, takes philosophy lessons from the old masters. She later finds out that the life she lived is not the reality she thought it was and she longs to escape from it.
This book is a great way to explore many of the questions that have posed philosophers throughout history. Like Sophie, we begin to have questions about our existence and purpose during this age.
Despite being written for a young audience, the book can be enjoyed by anyone of any age. in fact, the book makes philosophy more fun and understandable to read.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
immanuel kant’s critique of pure reason
Avid enthusiasts of the 18th-century German philosopher regard this book as his greatest masterpiece, and it laid the foundation for all of his philosophical work. here, he speaks of the limitations of knowledge using pure reason. Drawing heavily on the works of Hume, Kant sought to determine whether our knowledge is indeed limited to experience.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
meditation on the first philosophy of rene descartes
The book is a diary of six meditations distributed over six days. the seventeenth-century French philosopher rules out believing anything that cannot be proven with absolute certainty. his meditations focus on what he believes without a doubt. To this day this book is widely read by lovers of philosophy.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
tao te ching of lao zi
We move from Western philosophy to Eastern philosophy with a classic from an ancient Chinese philosopher: Lao Zi. the book has been the standard of Chinese thought and spirituality for centuries. he laid the foundations of Taoism with teachings on peace, balance and harmony with the main goal of helping people live full and fulfilling lives.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
tractatus logico-philosophicus of ludwig wittgenstein
The Austrian-British studied logic and philosophy of mind. his teacher described him as the perfect example of a domineering and passionate genius. this 75-page book is the only philosophical work published in his lifetime. a book that continues to offer wisdom each time it is read, it is recognized worldwide as a masterpiece.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
letters of a seneca stoic
If we’re being honest enough, there are only a few people in our lives who offer good advice. In his time, Seneca filled that role and was a trusted adviser to his friends. The book reveals the letters he wrote to friends who dealt with pain, failure, poverty, wealth, and success, among many other things. he embraced practical philosophy, learning from everyday life and whoever and wherever wisdom comes from.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
Heraclitus fragments
The Greek of Ephesus is known for his belief in constant change, and all things are one (logos). curiously, it was said that his life was lonely. in this book he talks about politics, theology and the universe. he also talks about unity of mind, character and how it affects one’s destiny.
buy: kindle / paperback
man’s search for meaning by viktor frankl
See Also: Book List: 11 Books for Business Success in the Cannabis Industry | Goldleaf
The meaning of life is something we often ask ourselves in various phases of life. Frankl does not attempt to reveal the meaning of life in a one-size-fits-all explanation. instead, he warns everyone that our actions shape that meaning when life calls for it.
In the book, the psychologist takes the men to a concentration camp. there, the man learns that the only thing he has control over is his attitude. Circumstances may or may not change, but what we make of those circumstances shapes our definition of life.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
beyond good and evil by friedrich nietzsche
Not everyone will agree with another man’s philosophy. such is the case of the German philosopher. he was a cultural critic who opposed dogmatism and the belief that there is a truth and that it can be known.
In the book, he rejects the views of ancient philosophers on morality. for him, the presumption that intentions separate good and bad men only leads to oppression.
Nietzsche is known for his belief that man must discover what morality and truth are for himself. to do this, each man must experience and suffer before arriving at what he finds to be true and good. then there is no certainty that the truth can be found. Supposedly, the philosopher died of madness, but his work encourages us to think about how our judgments affect others.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
the prince of nicolo machiavelli
The Italian diplomat is often referred to as the father of modern political science. this particular work dates back to the sixteenth century, but the philosophy that many can relate to it to this day. In the book, Machiavelli moves away from theory to explain political reality. he discussed the principles of government and how the prince is expected to provide stability during his reign.
See Also: Preview – 2019-2020 Book Selections — VSLA
buy: kindle / paperback / audiobook (free with audible trial)
final thoughts
every philosopher tries, with his best words and wisdom, to order life the way he sees works. aside from that, reading philosophy raises thought-provoking questions.
You may not agree with everything philosophers say, but it is important to recognize the importance of philosophy in life. philosophy aims to improve life through the quality of thought. better thinking leads to awareness, tolerance and patience. that’s what the world needs right now.
See Also: 50 Must-Read Psychology Books (Best Complete List)