How should we read him? But to fulfill its aim a considerably larger group of philosophers would need to be invited to select their ‘most important’ works, and each should have more than three picks. His first book, The Infinite, was considered an ‘authoritative overview of a topic of considerable philosophical importance’. He chooses the best books on (or by) David Hume. This is done by a combination of reflection (to determine what is the right course of action) and thoughtful repetition (in order to ingrain good habits). Orientalism is considered essential reading in pretty much every humanities department, from history to media studies and philosophy. Agree about the Investigations. In its depth, breadth, fertility, and endless capacity to stimulate and to fascinate, it stands as an unrivalled monument to philosophical excellence. But it's not all lighthearted; since it includes a lot of the major philosophical thinkers, you will definitely be asking yourself plenty of heavy-hitting, disquieting questions throughout. I eventually settled on Spinoza’s Ethics. Immanuel Kant was born in Königsberg, lived in Königsberg, and never travelled very far from Königsberg—but his mind ranged across vast territories, says Oxford philosophy professor, Adrian Moore. Adrian Moore is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford, whose main philosophical areas of focus include Kant, Wittgenstein, history of philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of mathematics and philosophy of logic. "The Great Philosophers" is an interesting book, but unlike some other reviewers I would hesitate about recommending it to beginners in the subject like myself. “Up to us,” as he says, are our judgments, our values, and our actions. He was one of the great intellectuals of the 20th century, but a people person with little interest in publishing books. In 1957, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature for illuminating “the problems of the human conscience in our times.” Here, Camus expert Jamie Lombardi talks us through the books that best capture his work and the moral dilemmas he sought to explore. Biletzki A, Matar A. Ludwig Wittgenstein. A woman goes on vacation to an undefined European country and ends up running into a violent mess. When it comes to the most important philosophy books, the foundational book for the entire spectrum of moral philosophies known as virtue ethics. He argued that it's nearly impossible for anyone to know anything outside of their own world without using language, as using words and speech is the primary mode of communication, yet language constructs our entire experience of reality. According to Epictetus, the most fundamental thing is to internalise the dichotomy between things that are in our power and things that aren’t, and then focus our energy and resources on the former while facing the latter with equanimity. But, we also see the high emphasis placed on the value of harmony; in particular social harmony. Peter Hacker introduces us to perhaps the most important philosopher since Kant, and explains why Wittgenstein would be horrified by Noam Chomsky. When it comes to the big names in philosophy, very few people think of women and the books that make the canon have, traditionally, almost always been written by European or American men. Nicholas Cronk, General Editor of the Complete Works of Voltaire gives a detailed look at the polymathic philosophe. Five Books participates in the Amazon Associate program and earns money from qualifying purchases. Nietzsche F. The Birth of Tragedy: Hellenism and Pessimism. Below we have compiled a list of 10 Best Philosophy Books everyone must read to gain a better understanding of western ... as far as I know, he is the last great system-builder, the last philosopher in the traditional sense, who set out to create an entire picture of the world. Like that annoying friend who always kills the vibe at a dinner party for the sake of a really meaningful conversation, philosophy loves to make you wrestle with those hard-hitting questions. In other words, if you're a beginner and just want to get a foundational understanding, or you're interested in studying but aren't sure which direction you'll take, this book will fit the bill. All have been said of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, some with more reason than others. It's an important book to revisit right now, especially considering the implications of climate change. Previously, Robert P. George served as chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), and before that on the President’s Council on Bioethics and as a presidential appointee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Arthur Schopenhauer was a German philosopher who held a deeply pessimistic view of the world. And yet, he made important contributions to a number of areas of philosophy and had a deep influence on other philosophers. Taking to his cherished second-hand desk with a hatchet because a drawer won’t open, Victor Eremita, Kierkegaard’s pseudonymous editor of Either/Or, finds a stash of papers hidden in a secret compartment. The best books by and about the great philosophers, as recommended by some of the leading philosophers working today. Yet, it remains vitally relevant even today, as women’s roles and rights in society continue to be challenged. Along with Galileo, Descartes’ was the first great modern scientist, the founder of the mechanical philosophy on which all subsequent science rests. Stephen Houlgate, a philosopher at Warwick University, gives us an in-depth look at Hegel. Either/Or is like a labyrinth, and there is no clear-cut path or conclusion to which lifestyle readers ought to choose or reach. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The idea of cause and effect for example; we can’t conclude by pure reason that there is a thing called ’cause and effect’, nor by observation can we conclude that, because all we actually see is one thing after another.