Which philosophers must I read?

We’ve compiled our “must-read” philosophical books.

• Apology of Socrates by Plato.
• Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.
• The discourse on method by Descartes.
• Candide or Optimism by Voltaire.
• Beyond good and evil by Nietzsche.
• Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky.
• The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Kundera.

How do I decide what to read in a philosophy book?

To decide you’ll need to fully understand the ideas being presented and the rhetorical strategies employed. Philosophical writings are dense and difficult. When reading, set realistic goals. While reading a page of a novel can take as little as thirty seconds, some pages in philosophy require at least ten minutes or even more.

Is the philosophy book the best philosophy book for beginners?

There are a ton of beautiful illustrations that help make complex philosophical discussions far more digestible to the casual reader. In short, The Philosophy Book is easily one of the best philosophy books for beginners to get into before tackling the harder original texts. Also check out our list of 13 best Bibles for children! 3.

How can I improve my philosophical reading skills?

To build great philosophical reading skills you’ll need to cultivate some philosophical empathy and self-criticism. Writing philosophy is challenging. Be empathetic: after you come up with some possible criticism, imagine taking the role of your opponent and try to answer your criticisms.

What is a very short introduction to philosophy?

As the name suggests, each book in this series serves as a quick introduction on a specific topic, packaged as a pocket-sized read. For example, Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction provides an insightful summary of key themes relating to ethics, identity, knowledge, and more.