10 Must-Read Books For Anyone Interested In Philosophy

Philosophy books can open your eyes to new ways of thinking and help you develop a more disciplined, informed approach to life. The best philosophical books explain complex topics using simple language and true-life examples that illustrate concepts explored in nihilism, aesthetics, logic and metaphysics. After reading good books about philosophy, you can examine your own personal beliefs from a more informed perspective. Whether you are interested in moral or political philosophy or want to read a more modern take, you can find what you are looking for in these powerful books. This list of great books about philosophy includes takes from the ancient to the contemporary era.

Top Philosophical Books

Philosophy books encompass anything that examines the acquisition of knowledge, creation of values, and logic of reason. Classical philosophy includes thoughts from ancient Greeks and Romans, like famous authors Plato and Aristotle. Modern philosophy includes thinkers from the 17^th century on, building on the work of Medieval and Renaissance philosophers.

Fiction also includes philosophical themes. For instance, any novelist who examines ethics and morality touches on philosophy. Horror, mystery and sci-fi are great vehicles for this type of intellectual inquiry, as they often involve extreme circumstances. This list includes nonfiction books ranked on the uniqueness of their insights, academic rigor of their hypotheses, commercial popularity and enduring value.

10. Poetics by Aristotle (4th century B.C.)

Aristotle published the first Greek work to examine dramatic theory from a philosophical point of view, underscoring the importance of the arts in building a strong society. He divides the forms of poetry into distinctive groups and observes the differences in how they mimic real life.

This book is best for drama lovers or fans of Greek mythology. Aristotle’s Poetics is available from publisher Penguin Random House.

9. Second Treatise of Government by John Locke (1689)

Considered one of the classics of political philosophy that forms the basis for modern liberalism, Second Treatise of Government considers the basic elements of human nature. It covers debates over tolerance and just government, segueing into more contemporary concerns about citizens’ essential freedoms and how to uphold them.

This book is best for anyone who wants to learn more about liberalism. John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government is available from publisher Oxford University Press.

8. Afropessimism by Frank B. Wilderson III (2020)

Frank B. Wilderson III’s accessible yet intellectual look at how race impacts moral and political decisions was longlisted for the National Book Award. He delves into the history of Black enslavement in the United States and how it continues to impact people today, not shying away from tough ethical questions.

This book is best for anyone interested in identity and history. Frank B. Wilderson III’s Afropessimism is available from publisher W.W. Norton.

7. Intention by G.E.M. Anscombe (1957)

Intention is one of the philosophical cornerstones of the 20th century. G.E.M. Anscombe examines how intention can (unintentionally) set us up for problems that are deceptively hard to solve. She looks at agency and people’s reasons for acting the way they do. The book was hailed at publication as a work of genius.

This book is best for anyone interested in philosophy that examines action. G.E.M. Anscombe’s Intention is available from publisher Harvard University Press.

6. Confessions by Augustine of Hippo (circa A.D. 400)

Augustine of Hippo, also known as St. Augustine, grew up with parents on either side of the religious spectrum, with one an active non-believer. The saint’s musings on how he came to embrace Christianity make for one of the best philosophical books about Christian doctrine.

This book is best for those seeking cross-disciplinary works. Augustine of Hippo’s Confessions is available from publisher Penguin Random House.

5. Bodies that Matter by Judith Butler (1993)

Philosopher Judith Butler (they/them) has developed powerful theories on gender. Their work, often cited by feminist and queer theory scholars, challenges conventional notions of gender and argues that power “constrains” sex. They also explore performative sex and gender roles, taking inspiration from great literature in their work.

This book is best for anyone interested in gender identity. Judith Butler’s Bodies that Matter is available from publisher Routledge.

4. The Art of War by Sun Tzu (5th century B.C.)

The famed Chinese military treatise devotes each of 13 chapters to different military tactics and is arguably the most famous book on the philosophy of war. It looks at the moral imperatives of war and how each side can argue it is just. Sun Tzu highlights unity, not army size, as a critical success factor.

This book is best for those interested in the philosophy of war. Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is available from publisher Penguin Random House.

3. Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft (1792)

Mary Wollstonecraft’s extended essay is one of the first works of feminist philosophy. Her response to critics arguing against women’s education doesn’t call for a gender revolution but does lay out the ways education could help women better support their families and become more than just wives.

This book is best for anyone curious about early feminist theory. Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Women is available from publisher Penguin Random House.

2. The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir (1949)

One of the most influential (and controversial) philosophy books ever published, The Second Sex helped spark the second wave of feminism. De Beauvoir begins with the question, “What is woman?” and how women have been defined as other, i.e., not men. She also rejects traditional views of what women are supposed to be.

This book is best for anyone interested in women’s treatment in the past. Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex is available from publisher Penguin Random House.

1. Republic by Plato (375 B.C.)

Plato penned one of the most influential philosophy books in history with this examination of justice and whether the just man is happier than the unjust man. Using Socratic dialogue, Plato proposes a utopian state called Kallipolis and considers the nature of current regimes compared to the ideal.

This book is best for anyone interested in ethics or self help books. Plato’s Republic is available from publisher Penguin Random House.

Bottom Line

Philosophy books can give you a new perspective on issues and educate you. Choosing any of these works will expand your mind and prompt new questions worth answering in your own daily life.