Beginner-Friendly Philosophy Books

General Overview of the History of Philosophy

1. Peter Adamson - History of Philosophy without any Gaps

   • Six volumes covering classical philosophy, Islamic/Arabic, Indian, Byzantine, Renaissance philosophy, etc.
   • Written in a conversational tone, making it beginner-friendly.
   • Originally a podcast.
   • Expensive in hardback; paperbacks are cheaper.

2. Frederick Copleston - A History of Philosophy

   • 11 volumes covering Western philosophy from ancient Greece to the early 20th century.
   • Currently out of print but available second-hand.
   • Less focus on non-Western philosophy.
   • Used by many as a preparatory resource for PhD exams.
   • Includes unique volume on Russian philosophy.

3. Bertrand Russell - History of Western Philosophy

   • Single volume, under $30.
   • Criticized for misrepresenting philosophers he disagrees with, like Hegel.
   • More about Russell's views than a neutral history.

Classical Greek Philosophy

1. Plato - Five Dialogues

   • Accessible; includes important dialogues like Euthyphro and the story of Socrates' trial.
   • Followed by The Republic if interested.

2. Aristotle - Nicomachean Ethics

   • Insightful on moral philosophy but can be complex.
   • Aristotle Reader recommended for a broader overview.

3. Various Authors - Hellenistic Philosophy

   • Translated by Gerson and Inwood.
   • Anthology of readings from Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans.

Roman Philosophy

1. Epictetus - Complete Works

   • Stoic, practical advice on life.

2. Marcus Aurelius - Meditations

   • Stoic journal; accessible.
   • Highly recommended translation by Robin Waterfield.

3. Seneca - Moral Letters and Hardship and Happiness

   • Practical Stoic philosophy.
   • Best edition: University of Chicago Press.

4. Boethius - The Consolation of Philosophy

   • Neoplatonic work written in prison; dialogic format.
   • Recommended: Penguin Classics Edition.

Eastern Philosophy

1. Classical Chinese Philosophy

   • Brian W. Van Norden: Anthology and introduction.
   • Four Chinese Classics: Daodejing, Zhuangzi, Analects, and Mencius.

2. Classical Indian Philosophy

   • Dipolar Sarma: Anthology introduction.

Medieval Philosophy

1. Essential Readings with Commentary

   • Inclusive of many perspectives.

2. Metaphysical Themes by Robert Pasnau

   • Overview of medieval metaphysics.

3. St. Augustine - Confessions

   • Autobiographical with strong Neoplatonic influences.

Modern Philosophy

1. René Descartes - Meditations

   • Accessibility makes it a good starting point for the rationalist tradition.

2. John Locke - An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

   • Accessible introduction to empiricism.

3. Immanuel Kant - Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

   • Intro to Kantian ethics; more accessible than other works.

Late Modern Philosophy

1. Mary Wollstonecraft - A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

   • Key feminist text.

2. John Stuart Mill - On Liberty and Utilitarianism

   • Essentials of 19th-century political philosophy.

3. Friedrich Nietzsche - Beyond Good and Evil and The Gay Science

   • Challenges conventional morality; beautiful, engaging writing.
   • Recommended editions from Cambridge.

4. Karl Marx - Marx-Engels Reader by Robert Tucker

   • Intro to Marxist thought; includes abbreviated key texts.

Pragmatism

1. William James - Pragmatism
   • Introduction to American pragmatism.

20th Century Philosophy

1. Simone de Beauvoir - The Second Sex

   • Foundational feminist text.

2. Jean-Paul Sartre - Existentialism is a Humanism

   • Introductory existentialist text.

3. Bertrand Russell - The Problems of Philosophy

   • Intro to philosophy from Russell's perspective.

4. A.J. Ayer - Language, Truth and Logic

   • Logical positivism, influential in analytic philosophy.

5. J.L. Austin - How To Do Things with Words

   • Introduction to speech act theory and pragmatics.