15 Life-Changing Philosophy Books All Of Us Should Read

SHARE:

15 Life-Changing Philosophy Books All Of Us Should Read

Whether we know it or not, we all secretly love philosophy. Discussing abstract concepts, analyzing the most human internal struggles, and overcoming while understanding the voices in our head—all these are things we benefit from, and they're all related to philosophy.


However, many today tend to avoid philosophical discussion, merely because it comes off as too challenging or academic. We think philosophy is confined to the wide collegiate lecture halls, where an old man in a beard is asking for five-thousand-word essays. Society has somehow conditioned most of us to ignore or even fear philosophy because much of it seems like suffering.


Nevertheless, the study of philosophy is not as academic or complicated as one might believe. The best philosophers of history were not the academic types at all; instead, they lived life and set examples which they wrote down afterwards. Practical and applicable as it is, anyone could understand the philosophy of our forefathers.


So here are the 15 best philosophy books which have shaped societies and cultures throughout human history.


1) "The Nicomachean Ethics" - Aristotle


In the Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle's primary question is: what's the best thing for a human being? The answer he gives is happiness, not as something we feel, but as a specially good kind of life instead. Happiness is made up of several activities in which humans use their best capacities, both the ones that contribute to their flourishing as members of a community and the ones that allow them to engage in god-like contemplation.


2) "The Republic" - Plato


One of the most significant works on philosophy and political theory ever produced, The Republic has formed western thought for thousands of years, and it's still as relevant today as when Plato first wrote it in during the time of Ancient Greece. It is widely regarded as the foundation of Western philosophy. Fashioned in the form of communication between Greek philosopher Socrates and three different interlocutors, The Republic is a search for the notion of an ideal community and the perfect individual within it.


3) "The Enchiridion" - Epictetus


Enchiridion or “manual” has played a critical role in the rise of modern philosophy. As soon as it was translated into the vernacular languages, it immediately became a bestseller among independent intellectuals, anti-Christian thinkers, and philosophers of a subjective cast. It has also been studied and widely quoted by Scottish philosophers such as Francis Hutcheson, Adam Smith, and Adam Ferguson.


4) "The Stranger" - Albert Camus


The Stranger is one of the seminal texts of existentialism and 20th-century literature in general, at least in the context of French and French-Algerian history and culture. Through the story of a typical man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach, Camus has explored what the nakedness of human faced with the absurd.


5) "A Discourse on Inequality" - Jean-Jacques Rousseau


In A Discourse on Inequality Rousseau set out to demonstrate how the growth of civilization corrupts human’s natural happiness and freedom by leading to artificial inequalities of wealth, power, as well as social privilege. Arguing that primitive man was equal to his fellows, Rousseau supports that as societies became more sophisticated, the strongest, as well as the most intelligent members of the community, gained an unnatural advantage over their weaker brethren. Rousseau’s political and social arguments in the Discourse were a greatly influential denunciation of the social conditions of his time and among the most revolutionary documents of the 18th century.


6) "Candide" - Voltaire


Candide was living a simple, sheltered life in “the best of all possible worlds.” However, when Candide fell in love with the wrong woman, his uncle’s young daughter, he was exiled from the baron’s castle and suffered great tragedy and catastrophe, which left him disillusioned and questioning the universe's goodness. Penned in only three days—and secretly published—Voltaire’s legendary satire deftly skewers religious, romantic, and political naïveté with an acerbic and ribald wit that delights to this day.


7) "Faust" - Johann Wolfgang Goethe


A classic of world literature, Faust is a philosophical and poetic drama full of satire, irony, humor, and tragedy. Dr. Faust was a brilliant scholar, who made a contract with the devil, Mephistopheles. The devil would do all Faust asked and seek to grant him such a glorious moment that he would wish it could last for ever.


8) “Fragments” - Heraclitus


If Fragments by Heraclitus were published today, some might think of it less of a philosophical book and more of a book of short poems. Heraclitus’ text is indeed much more poetic than the others on the list, but that does not mean it's any less philosophical than its peers. The philosopher shares his understandings of the world in short and concise sentences. While some can be easily understood, some others might be more abstract, with various interpretations for every reader.


9) “Letters from a Stoic” - Seneca


In Seneca's book, Letters from a Stoic, we read the letters he wrote to his friends, powerful figures of Ancient Rome. These letters teach us about the practical teachings of stoicism: how only this which influences your life is important. Appreciation of pain and hardship, thinking that the ideal way to live our life is to tolerate the difficulties we go through to practice our virtue are some significant lessons of the book.


10) “The Essential Epicurus” - Epicurus


Epicurus was a famous philosopher and teacher of Ancient Greece, best known for having founded the Epicureanism school of philosophy. His thought revolves around simplicity—cutting down on the trivialities and nuances which pester our lives and trimming it down to friendship, joy, and happiness.


11) “Nature and Selected Essays” - Ralph Waldo Emerson


Ralph Waldo Emerson’s selected essays have an amazing way of spurning a reader into motion. So much of philosophy leads us to sit down and think, but Emerson instead encourages us to act and make choices. His essays push the reader to reach his/her potential and make the best choices. Also, unlike the classic peers of his time, Emerson’s essays have the American drive to succeed and persevere.


12) Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl


Viktor Frankl was an honored psychologist of the 20th century. His book, Man’s Search for Meaning, influenced numerous thinkers and scientists of his time. It triggered the question, “What's the meaning of life?”, which might be one of the biggest struggles facing modern human today. So what is the answer? That it is not our question to ask in the first place. It's life itself which asks the problem, and it's our responsibility to determine that meaning in what we do.


13) Essays - Montaigne


Montaigne, like Heraclitus, was concerned with one simple thing: “Inquiring within.” He believed the answer to all of our most challenging questions could be discovered within the self, and, therefore, he dedicated his life to understanding himself, as well as the selves of others. He'd ask himself and people around him extraordinary questions which would make them reveal their inner thoughts. These are the encounters that he shares in his essays.


14) Meditations - Marcus Aurelius


If you're interested in philosophy, then you've probably already heard of Meditations. Meditation is the unique diary and journal of Marcus Aurelius, that served as the Roman emperor during the second century. Every night for the most of his rule, Marcus spent the time to practice his spiritual and mental exercises, personalized rituals which, as he believed, helped him become the ideal self.


15) Essays and Aphorisms - Arthur Schopenhauer


Schopenhauer was a German philosopher of the nineteenth century who along with his peers established the idea that the universe isn't a rational place. His writings in the book Essays and Aphorisms help us in understanding the human “will” and the internal power and drive which pushes us. Schopenhauer also discusses the difference between hope and action. He is primarily concerned with solving problems instead of ruminating over them.

COMMENTS

BLOGGER: 7
  1. I feel very happy to share my great and wonderful testimony with everyone on this site..: I was married for 4 years to my husband and all of a sudden another woman came into the picture he started hating me and he was abusive.but i still loved him with all my heart and wanted him at all cost.... He filed for divorce and my whole life was turning apart and i didn't know what to do, he moved out of the house and abandoned me and the kids... my very close friend told me about trying spiritual means to get my husband back and introduced me to a spell caster so i decided to try it. although i didn't believe in all those things then when he did the special prayers and spell, after 2 days, my husband came back and was pleading that he had realized his mistakes I just couldn't believe it, anyway we are back together now and we are happy in case anyone needs help here is his email address; gbojiespiritualtemple@gmail.com Hisspells is for a better life OR call his number +2349066410185 view my blog :https://mostpowerfulspellcasteronline.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HOW I GOT MY EX HUSBAND BACK WITH THE HELP OF DR PETER THE REAL ONLINE SPELL CASTER WHATSAPP/CALL+2348125435799 MAIL MAGNIFICENTSPELLCAST@GMAIL.COM

      My name is LINDA ROBERT from United State, I want to quickly tell the world that there is a real and effective online spell caster that is powerful and genuine, His name is Dr PETER He helped me recently to reunite my relationship with my husband who left me, When i contacted Dr PETER he cast a love spell for me, and my husband who said he doesn't have anything to do with me again called me and started begging me to come back. he is back now with so much love and care. today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the powers to restore broken relationship back. because i am now happy with my husband. To anyone who is reading this article and needs any help, Dr PETER can also offer any type of help like, Curing of all types of Diseases, Court Cases, Pregnancy Spell, Spiritual protection and lot's more. You can contact him Via his email MAGNIFICENTSPELLCAST@GMAIL.COM and MAGNIFICENTSPELLCAST@YAHOO.COM or CALL/WHATSAPP with his phone number +2348125435799. Website; http://MAGNIFICENTSPELLCAST.WEBSITE2.ME and get your problems solved 100% assured.

      Delete
  2. Excellent collection. I am sure you will also find this information pretty useful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It’s a book on how to be a "A Discourse on Inequality"’, written in the Jean-Jacques Rousseau.Obviously,do my assignment things have transformed a lot, but there a many, many collective truths in it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your sharing is great and meaningful, thank you for sharing.
    bloons tower defense 5

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is the process I went through to get back my online lover who is now my husband to be.
    Note: I got him back through Dr. Wakina love spell by virtue of dr.wakinalovetemple@gmail.com.

    HERE IS HOW IT STARTED:
    I said to Dr. Wakina; Sir, I humbly asked for help in uniting with my online lover, we broke up five months ago. I am writing to you as I have witnessed how your love spell helped my colleague soothe her broken relationship.
    Two years ago, I met an amazing man online via twitter, we bonded within weeks like we have known each other for long even though we were thousands of miles apart. We often talk on the phone, texting and emailing.
    When it was our next step to meet in person and see if there was truly the spark of love we were both feeling deeply. I received a breakup text, he explained how it is difficult for him to move on without his ex-wife. I was heartbroken because I thought I have found the man of my dream. Can you help me?

    HERE IS HOW IT ENDS:
    Dr. Waking revived my hope when I was told that He is my husband and future but He needs to be untied with his past by breaking the bonds of affliction with his ex.
    My colleague’s breakthrough brought everlasting joy to me, I could not have heard of love spell or Dr. Wakina.

    APPRECIATION:
    Why I am happy to share this breakthrough testimony is because the spell worked according to his will and purpose, he is right here with me happy and loving, we are currently planning on getting married.
    I will always appreciate the opportunity given to me to reconnect with my lover by Dr. Wakina, I have confirmed that we are meant to be forever.

    ReplyDelete
  6. One of the factors that makes students apprehensive of assignment help online is the cost of the service. Most of the assignment help seekers think that Online assignment help
    is an expensive affair. We understand that budget is a constraint for college students.

    ReplyDelete

Name

Activism,1307,Art,791,BLM,22,Consciousness,1545,CoVid-19,154,Cures,227,Do it Yourself,112,Documentaries,72,Environment,1478,Fiction,2,Health,765,History,464,Human Intelligence,554,Inspirations,2,Inspiring Stories,4179,Justice,536,Mental Health,16,News,1411,Nutrition,218,Philosophy,309,Photography,1590,Quantum Physics,29,Quizzes & Tests,145,Quotes,113,Relationships,781,Science,1145,Self Improvement,838,Spirituality,248,Sustainability,246,Technology,477,Truth,755,
ltr
item
Thinking Humanity: 15 Life-Changing Philosophy Books All Of Us Should Read
15 Life-Changing Philosophy Books All Of Us Should Read
Whether we know it or not, we all secretly love philosophy.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqgFYYa1ip-LeiQMfq51emQWS4YmHWpeAmRGzPLgE1Pq7-LHTA2mdT5B7g-g8O-lxFfq7gHMHOdO5Qy5Dm-naz9rm7ZLVrPZduvUdMF-1-15pabFLVBfPu9hDaBThyYhI8MtAVjGw8L6L/s1600/15+Life-Changing+Philosophy+Books+All+Of+Us+Should+Read.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqgFYYa1ip-LeiQMfq51emQWS4YmHWpeAmRGzPLgE1Pq7-LHTA2mdT5B7g-g8O-lxFfq7gHMHOdO5Qy5Dm-naz9rm7ZLVrPZduvUdMF-1-15pabFLVBfPu9hDaBThyYhI8MtAVjGw8L6L/s72-c/15+Life-Changing+Philosophy+Books+All+Of+Us+Should+Read.jpg
Thinking Humanity
https://www.thinkinghumanity.com/2018/08/15-life-changing-philosophy-books-all-of-us-should-read.html
https://www.thinkinghumanity.com/
https://www.thinkinghumanity.com/
https://www.thinkinghumanity.com/2018/08/15-life-changing-philosophy-books-all-of-us-should-read.html
true
7064777598104498166
UTF-8
Loaded All Posts Not found any posts VIEW ALL Readmore Reply Cancel reply Delete By Home PAGES POSTS View All RECOMMENDED FOR YOU LABEL ARCHIVE SEARCH ALL POSTS Not found any post match with your request Back Home Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January February March April May June July August September October November December Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec just now 1 minute ago $$1$$ minutes ago 1 hour ago $$1$$ hours ago Yesterday $$1$$ days ago $$1$$ weeks ago more than 5 weeks ago Followers Follow THIS PREMIUM CONTENT IS LOCKED STEP 1: Share to a social network STEP 2: Click the link on your social network Copy All Code Select All Code All codes were copied to your clipboard Can not copy the codes / texts, please press [CTRL]+[C] (or CMD+C with Mac) to copy