Philosophy Books
Make sense of it all — or not — with the best philosophy books that cover everything from ancient Greek wisdom to Nietzsche’s existential dilemmas. Pick up an influential classic like The Art of War, reap practical Stoic advice from Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations or, if you dare, tap into the mystical realm with the Three Books of Occult Philosophy.
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Meditations
By Marcus Aurelius, Martin Hammond, Martin Hammond, Diskin Clay
The long-dead Roman emperor’s thoughts and fancies are still so relevant to your everyday ups and downs. Delivered in digestible bits, Meditations is best read one a day to set your mind right—or binge them all and let simmer over time.
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Which philosopher should I read first?
It all depends on whether you're more interested in ancient or modern philosophy. If you want to start with a famous ancient philosopher, then reading books by Plato or stories about his teacher Socrates is a great place to start. If you’re leaning more toward works of modern philosophy, then you must read books by Descartes or Nietzsche. And if you’d rather read works by people still alive today, Malcolm Gladwell is infinitely readable and immensely thought-provoking.
What should I read if I want to get into philosophy?
If you’re a complete philosophy beginner, then reading a comprehensive guide like The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Being Simplified can give you a glimpse into the vast world of philosophers and philosophical concepts, so you can discover what interests you.
Why should we read philosophy?
Reading philosophy books is not just about being entertained, it’s intellectually stimulating, often inspiring the reader to self-reflect, ask questions about life and develop analytical and critical thinking skills.
10 Best Philosophy Books to Expand Your Mind
- On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
- Ethics by Gordon Marino
- Reasons Not to Worry by Brigid Delaney
- Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen
- The Road to Wisdom by Francis S. Collins
- The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
- Revenge of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell



