Philosophy is a massive subject, posing many questions about our lives, nature, the world, and a whole host of other topics. Baring this in mind it can be difficult to pinpoint the best philosophy textbooks you should spend your time reading.
It has been said that ‘science is what you know, philosophy is what you don’t know, and with a subject like philosophy can you ever know enough? But by asking such important questions, philosophy encourages you to delve deeper into your understanding of the world around you and helps you discover answers for yourself.
If you are a complete philosophy beginner the enormity of the subject can be overwhelming, questions you come across can be huge and unanswerable such as what is knowledge? Or what is the nature of reality?
This list of philosophy books gives you a good insight into the world of philosophy literature and features the most searched textbooks in 2024.
Thank You for Arguing, Fourth Edition (Revised and Updated): What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion
Said to be the ultimate master class in the art of persuasion, this book has teachings from a range of professors including Winston Churchill and Bart Simpson.
Disclosing well-proven secrets from Cicero’s three-step strategy this book teaches you how to persuade an audience to take action. Honest Abe also makes an appearance and shares his trick for lowering audiences’ expectations by purposely pretending to be less knowledgeable to get ahead.
Thank you for arguing also supports your development to ensure you can win more arguments, anger-free. You will begin to frazzle opponents during discussions leaving them confused as to how you so effortlessly get your own way.
Which Way Western Man?
Focusing on Western civilization, this book explores the findings of Simpson, who traveled worldwide and observed many different groups of people and their relationships to the wider world and communities. His findings explain the ‘sickness’ that has taken over Western culture.
Topics within this book include:
- Trickery ingrained in our money system, stating wealth isn’t the ultimate goal. Exploring how troubled people are when forced to use this system.
- The incompatibility of capitalism and the human psyche
- How Feminism is not the liberation of women, but the unsexing of them.
- Quoting multiple sources that confirm the physiological basis of intellect in Africa, these stopped being readily available after World War 2.
The Art of Looking Sideways
The art of looking explores everything linked to visual intelligence, including how the eyes, hands, and brain works as well as what drives imagination.
Full of interesting anecdotes, quotes, images, facts, and somewhat useless information combined with science and his memories Fletcher links verbal and visual ideas revolving around the workings of the human mind.
The ultimate guide to self-awareness, this book sets out to inspire its readers, including odd and unexpected points of view. However, it does not teach you lessons but helps unlock the mind so you can answer them yourself, by sharing wisdom from around the globe.
Demonology: Of King James I – 16 edition
James VI & I, Donald Tyson, James Carmichael
First published in 1597, Demonology, written by King James I, is amongst the most highly regarded pieces of religious literature produced in history. Highly controversial and extremely interesting, now made accessible to thousands more readers due to the annotations made by Donald Tyson.
Also included in this edition are the interpretations from News from Scotland, which recounts the North Berwick witch trials, which were overseen by King James. These have never before been made so accessible to the general reader.
Alongside this account is Tyson explores the King’s obsession with witches, attempts on his life, and a detailed look at magick and witchcraft in the Jacobean period.
McDonaldization of Society – 8th edition
Combining well-known theories with 21st culture this book continues to be highly regarded as one of the best books of modern-day sociological thought. information on current issues such as consumption and globalization help students relate to the subject.
A new chapter explores globalization and how ideas are spreading through a variety of social institutions such as education, medicine, and the criminal justice system.
Many real-life examples help students connect with content and relate to events within their lives, McDonaldization explores the ever-increasing number of fast-food franchises, shopping malls, and other commercial businesses. The impact of these worldwide is evaluated in a post-September 11 era.
Four Agreements (A Toltec Wisdom Book) – 97 edition
“Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive – the risk to be alive and express what we are”. – Don Miguel Ruiz
Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, this book applies this wisdom to our current lifestyles and explores the reason for our self-limiting beliefs that encourage suffering and restrict happiness.
With the healer and shamanic teachers, Don Miguel Ruiz learn how to transfer your life and unlock feelings of freedom, happiness, and love.
The four agreements are:
- Be Impeccable With Your Word,
- Don’t Take Anything Personally,
- Don’t Make Assumptions,
- Always Do Your Best.
The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
Marketed as the best encyclopedia for philosophy this book holds all the answers you’ve been searching for; what is the meaning of life? What is at the bottom of the ocean?
If you are new to the topic of philosophy, let this book introduce you to world-renowned ancient philosophers such as Plato and Confucius. Follow the timeline of famous philosophers right up to the modern-day, getting to know them by reading short biographies and their profound questions.
Includes different philosophical ideas including metaphysics and ethics. This book will aid you to answer any questions you have about the world.
The Essential Epicurus: Letters, Principal Doctrines, Vatican Sayings, and Fragments (Great Books in Philosophy)
Epicurus, Eugene Michael O’Connor
Read the remains of Epicurus’ writings on a range of topics including atomism, physical sensation, morality, the soul, and the nature of the gods. His views are based on material foundations and not metaphysical, he believes one is born, one dies, the end.
This book also contains information linked to another of Epicurus’ writings “Of the nature of things” which is a great read to continue your understanding of this great philosopher’s work.
A review on Goodreads states that the essence of the book is about “how we live and how we ought to live. We live he says by pursuing pleasure and avoiding pain”.
The Problems of Philosophy
Providing an overview of the most notable philosophical achievements, in this book Russell uses his own experiences and thoughts to analyze older arguments within the topic.
Set out to encourage discussion and questioning throughout by the use of his voice to challenge the norm and general thoughts around current topics.
Switching between a professional philosopher and curious reader Russell can both ease transitions between difficult ideas and challenge them to develop critical thinking.
Each chapter builds on previous discussions to thoroughly develop ideas and concepts, so it is a good idea to read this book one chapter at a time.
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: 50th Anniversary Edition
First published in 1962, this book was certainly ahead of its time and challenged the scientific world in ways that are still relevant today.
Reading this book will change the way you think forever, stretching your mind and the way you approach several different problems within science.
Kuhn dares to contradict the notions of long-standing linear scientific progress and says that massive leaps forward in science aren’t made daily or are a gradual experimentational process but rather a light bulb moment that takes place away from ‘normal science’ norms and settings.
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