Top 90 Philosophy Books to Read (With Key Ideas)

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Philosophy is the study of fundamental questions about reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

It is a broad and diverse field that encompasses a range of disciplines, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, aesthetics, and logic.

There are many reasons why people might choose to study philosophy.

Some people are drawn to philosophy because they want to explore the fundamental questions of life and gain a better understanding of the world around them.

Others are interested in the way that philosophical ideas and concepts can be applied to practical problems and real-world situations.

Still others are attracted to philosophy because of its emphasis on critical thinking, logical reasoning, and the ability to argue and defend a position.

One of the key benefits of studying philosophy is that it helps us to develop our critical thinking skills and to think more deeply and rigorously about the world around us.

Philosophy encourages us to be open-minded, to consider different perspectives, and to consider the implications of our beliefs and actions.

It also helps us to become more self-aware and reflective, and to consider the values that shape our lives and our decisions.

Here is a list of top philosophy books to read:

1. “The Republic” by Plato (380 BC) – This book discusses the nature of justice and the ideal form of government.
2. “The Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle (350 BC) – This book discusses the concept of eudaimonia (happiness or flourishing) and how it can be achieved.
3. “The Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius (180 AD) – This book discusses Stoic philosophy and the importance of developing a rational and detached perspective in the face of life’s challenges.
4. “The Prince” by Niccolò Machiavelli (1532) – This book discusses the use of power and manipulation in politics and government.
5. “The Discourse on Method” by René Descartes (1637) – This book introduces Descartes’ method of doubt and the concept of “I think, therefore I am.”
6. “The Social Contract” by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1762) – This book discusses the concept of the social contract and the role of government in protecting the natural rights of individuals.
7. “The Critique of Pure Reason” by Immanuel Kant (1781) – This book discusses the nature of knowledge and the limits of reason.
8. “The Spirit of the Laws” by Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1748) – This book discusses the principles of government and the importance of separating powers.
9. “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith (1776) – This book discusses the principles of economics and the role of free markets in promoting wealth and prosperity.
10. “The Critique of Practical Reason” by Immanuel Kant (1788) – This book discusses the nature of morality and the role of reason in guiding moral action.
11. “The Phenomenology of Spirit” by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1807) – This book discusses the concept of the “Absolute” and the development of human consciousness.
12. “The Sorrows of Young Werther” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1774) – This book discusses the role of emotion and passion in shaping human experience.
13. “The World as Will and Representation” by Arthur Schopenhauer (1818) – This book discusses the concept of the “Will” and the role of suffering in human experience.
14. “The Birth of Tragedy” by Friedrich Nietzsche (1872) – This book discusses the role of art and culture in shaping human experience.
15. “The Gay Science” by Friedrich Nietzsche (1882) – This book discusses the role of truth and knowledge in shaping human experience.
16. “The Problems of Philosophy” by Bertrand Russell (1912) – This book introduces the major problems and debates in philosophy, including the nature of knowledge, the existence of God, and the foundations of mathematics.
17. “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” by Adam Smith (1759) – This book discusses the psychological foundations of moral behavior and the role of empathy and sympathy in shaping moral judgment.
18. “The Interpretation of Dreams” by Sigmund Freud (1900) – This book introduces the concept of the unconscious mind and the role of dreams in revealing unconscious desires and conflicts.
19. “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus (1942) – This book discusses the concept of the absurd and the role of meaning and purpose in human experience.
20. “The Philosophy of Freedom” by Erich Fromm (1941) – This book discusses the nature of freedom and the ways in which it can be pursued and achieved.
21. “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” by Thomas S. Kuhn (1962) – This book discusses the nature of scientific change and the role of paradigms in shaping scientific understanding.
22. “The Myth of Mental Illness” by Thomas Szasz (1961) – This book challenges the medical model of mental illness and argues that it is a myth.
23. “The Open Society and Its Enemies” by Karl Popper (1945) – This book discusses the principles of an open society and the dangers of totalitarianism.
24. “The Portable Nietzsche” by Friedrich Nietzsche (1954) – This book is a collection of Nietzsche’s writings on a wide range of topics, including morality, religion, and the nature of the self.
25. “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle (1997) – This book discusses the importance of living in the present moment and the ways in which this can lead to greater peace and fulfillment.
26. “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren (2002) – This book discusses the importance of discovering and pursuing one’s purpose in life.
27. “The Selfish Gene” by Richard Dawkins (1976) – This book introduces the concept of the “selfish gene” and the role of natural selection in shaping evolution.
28. “The Tao Te Ching” by Lao Tzu (6th century BC) – This book discusses the principles of Taoist philosophy and the importance of living in harmony with the natural world.
29. “The Will to Power” by Friedrich Nietzsche (1901) – This book discusses the concept of the “Will to Power” and the role of power and ambition in shaping human experience.
30. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman (2011) – This book discusses the ways in which our thoughts and decisions are influenced by cognitive biases and heuristics.
31. “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” by Friedrich Nietzsche (1883-1885) – This book discusses Nietzsche’s philosophical ideas on the nature of God, morality, and the meaning of life.
32. “Time and Free Will” by Henri Bergson (1889) – This book discusses the nature of time and the role of free will in shaping human experience.
33. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee (1960) – This book explores themes of racism, prejudice, and social justice through the story of a young girl growing up in the Deep South.
34. “Utilitarianism” by John Stuart Mill (1863) – This book discusses the principle of utility, which holds that actions should be guided by the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
35. “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau (1854) – This book discusses the importance of living a simple and self-sufficient life, close to nature.
36. “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy (1869) – This book is a sweeping historical epic that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars.
37. “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë (1847) – This book is a classic romance novel that explores themes of love, passion, and revenge.
38. “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig (1974) – This book is a philosophical meditation on the nature of quality and the role of creativity in problem-solving.
39. “A Brief History of Time” by Stephen Hawking (1988) – This book is an introduction to the fundamental principles of physics and the nature of the universe.
40. “A Theory of Justice” by John Rawls (1971) – This book discusses the principles of justice and the foundations of a just society.
41. “Being and Nothingness” by Jean-Paul Sartre (1943) – This book discusses the nature of consciousness and the role of freedom in shaping human experience.
42. “Beyond Good and Evil” by Friedrich Nietzsche (1886) – This book discusses Nietzsche’s philosophical ideas on the nature of morality and the role of power in shaping human experience.
43. “Capital” by Karl Marx (1867) – This book discusses the principles of Marxist economics and the role of class struggle in shaping history.
44. “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine (1776) – This book argues for the independence of the American colonies from British rule.
45. “Confessions” by Augustine of Hippo (401 AD) – This book is an autobiographical work that explores themes of faith, redemption, and the nature of the self.
46. “Democracy in America” by Alexis de Tocqueville (1835) – This book is a classic work of political theory that discusses the principles and practice of democracy in the United States.
47. “Discourse on the Origin of Inequality” by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1755) – This book discusses the nature of inequality and the role of society in shaping human experience.
48. “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes (1605) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of chivalry, love, and the nature of reality.
49. “Economics in One Lesson” by Henry Hazlitt (1946) – This book is an introduction to the principles of economics and the role of markets in promoting wealth and prosperity.
50. “Essay Concerning Human Understanding” by John Locke (1689) – This book discusses the nature of knowledge and the role of experience in shaping human understanding.
51. “Fear and Trembling” by Søren Kierkegaard (1843) – This book discusses the nature of faith and the role of religious belief in shaping human experience.
52. “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift (1726) – This book is a classic work of satire that explores themes of human nature, politics, and the nature of reality.
53. “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare (1600) – This play is a classic work of literature that explores themes of madness, revenge, and the nature of identity.
54. “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad (1899) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of imperialism, morality, and the human condition.
55. “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison (1952) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of race, identity, and the human condition.
56. “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë (1847) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of love, independence, and the human condition.
57. “Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka (1915) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of isolation, alienation, and the human condition.
58. “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville (1851) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of obsession, fate, and the human condition.
59. “Nausea” by Jean-Paul Sartre (1938) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of identity, meaning, and the human condition.
60. “On Liberty” by John Stuart Mill (1859) – This book discusses the principles of individual liberty and the role of government in protecting it.
61. “On the Genealogy of Morality” by Friedrich Nietzsche (1887) – This book discusses Nietzsche’s philosophical ideas on the nature of morality and its historical development.
62. “On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin (1859) – This book introduces the theory of evolution and the concept of natural selection.
63. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez (1967) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of family, history, and the human condition.
64. “Phenomenology of Spirit” by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1807) – This book discusses the concept of the “Absolute” and the development of human consciousness.
65. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen (1813) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of love, class, and social norms.
66. “The Age of Reason” by Thomas Paine (1794) – This book is a classic work of Enlightenment philosophy that discusses the importance of reason and the dangers of superstition and religious authority.
67. “The Communist Manifesto” by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (1848) – This book outlines the principles of communist ideology and the role of class struggle in shaping history.
68. “The Consolation of Philosophy” by Boethius (524 AD) – This book is a classic work of philosophy that discusses the nature of happiness and the role of reason in shaping human experience.
69. “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” by Edward Gibbon (1776-1789) – This book is a classic work of history that explores the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and the factors that contributed to its collapse.
70. “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri (1308-1321) – This epic poem is a classic work of literature that explores themes of faith, redemption, and the nature of the self.
71. “The Dreadful Lemon Sky” by John D. MacDonald (1974) – This book is a classic work of detective fiction that explores themes of morality, justice, and the human condition.
72. “The Education of Henry Adams” by Henry Adams (1907) – This book is an autobiographical work that discusses the nature of education and the role of experience in shaping human understanding.
73. “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White (1959) – This book is a classic guide to the principles of effective writing and communication.
74. “The Euthyphro” by Plato (380 BC) – This book is a dialogue that discusses the nature of piety and the role of the gods in shaping human experience.
75. “The Federalist Papers” by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay (1787-1788) – This book is a series of essays that discuss the principles of the Constitution and the role of government in promoting the common good.
76. “The Genealogy of Morals” by Friedrich Nietzsche (1887) – This book discusses Nietzsche’s philosophical ideas on the nature of morality and its historical development.
77. “The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money” by John Maynard Keynes (1936) – This book is a classic work of economics that discusses the role of government in managing the economy and addressing unemployment.
78. “The Gorgias” by Plato (380 BC) – This book is a dialogue that discusses the nature of justice and the role of the soul in shaping human experience.
79. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of love, corruption, and the human condition.
80. “The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde (1888) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the human condition.
81. “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell (1949) – This book discusses the concept of the hero’s journey and the role of myths and archetypes in shaping human experience.
82. “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” by Edward Gibbon (1776-1789) – This book is a classic work of history that explores the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and the factors that contributed to its collapse.
83. “The Iliad” by Homer (8th century BC) – This epic poem is a classic work of literature that explores themes of war, honor, and the human condition.
84. “The Inferno” by Dante Alighieri (1308-1321) – This epic poem is a classic work of literature that explores themes of faith, redemption, and the nature of the self.
85. “The Invisible Man” by H.G. Wells (1897) – This book is a classic work of science fiction that explores themes of identity, isolation, and the human condition.
86. “The Kantian Theory of Law and Justice” by Jeremy Waldron (1991) – This book discusses the philosophical ideas of Immanuel Kant on the nature of law and justice.
87. “The King James Bible” (1611) – This is a classic translation of the Bible that has had a significant impact on Western culture and literature
88. “The Law” by Frederic Bastiat (1850) – This book discusses the principles of economic liberty and the role of government in promoting the common good.
89. “The Limits of Power” by Andrew Bacevich (2008) – This book discusses the dangers of overreach and the importance of respecting the limits of power in shaping foreign policy.
90. “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943) – This book is a classic work of literature that explores themes of love, friendship, and the human condition.

Overall, philosophy is an important and valuable field of study because it helps us to understand ourselves, the world around us, and our place in it.

By engaging with philosophical ideas and concepts, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the complexity and beauty of the world, and we can develop the skills and insights that will help us to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

Let me know in the comments below!

If you would like to find more book summaries and recommendations, also check out: “Best Investing & Trading Books of All Time”

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Spencer Li

Spencer is an avid globetrotter who achieved financial freedom in his 20s, while trading & teaching across 70+ countries. As a former professional trader in private equity and proprietary funds, he has over 15 years of market experience, and has been featured on more than 20 occasions in the media.