The 50 best philosophy books
The best philosophy books ranked: Stoicism, existentialism, ethics, political philosophy and ancient classics. A top 50 with where to read each one.
Philosophy asks the questions that never go away: how to live, what is right, what is real. The list includes the ancient texts, from Plato to Marcus Aurelius, modern classics from Nietzsche to Sartre and accessible introductions that make the subject easier to enter.
These are editorial picks, ranked for readability and lasting appeal, and nobody pays to be on the list. Not sure where to start? Try the book finder and get three picks for your mood.
Top 50 philosophy books, ranked
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Meditations
The private notes of a Roman emperor.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
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The Republic
A dialogue on justice and the ideal state.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Nicomachean Ethics
On virtue, happiness and the good life.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Beyond Good and Evil
A critique of past philosophers and morality.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Thus Spoke Zarathustra
A philosophical novel about the Superman.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
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The Prince
A guide to political power.
- Thoughtful
- Gripping
Where to read
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Leviathan
The social contract and sovereign power.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Critique of Pure Reason
The limits of human knowledge.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Being and Nothingness
An essay on phenomenological ontology.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Existentialism Is a Humanism
A short introduction to existentialism.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Myth of Sisyphus
An essay on the absurd.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Sophie's World
A novel about the history of philosophy.
- Thoughtful
- Cozy
Where to read
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The Problems of Philosophy
A short introduction to philosophy.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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A History of Western Philosophy
From the Greeks to the twentieth century.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Letters from a Stoic
Letters on virtue and living well.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
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Enchiridion
A short handbook of Stoic philosophy.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
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Discourses and Selected Writings
Longer teachings of the Stoic.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Daily Stoic
366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance and the art of living.
- Inspiring
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Consolations of Philosophy
How philosophers can help with everyday troubles.
- Thoughtful
- Cozy
Where to read
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The Tao Te Ching
The foundational text of Taoism.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
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The Art of War
The ancient Chinese treatise on strategy.
- Thoughtful
- Gripping
Where to read
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The Analects
Sayings of the Chinese sage.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Walden
Two years living in a cabin by Walden Pond.
- Thoughtful
- Cozy
Where to read
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Civil Disobedience
On resisting unjust government.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Self-Reliance
The essay on individualism.
- Inspiring
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Symposium
A dialogue on the nature of love.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Apology
The defence speech of Socrates.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Phaedo
Socrates' last day and the immortality of the soul.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Discourse on Method
"I think, therefore I am."
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Meditations on First Philosophy
A search for certain knowledge.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Ethics
A geometric exposition of God, mind and nature.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
On knowledge, causation and miracles.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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On Liberty
The nature and limits of individual freedom.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Utilitarianism
The greatest happiness principle.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Social Contract
On political authority and the general will.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Fear and Trembling
On faith and Abraham.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The World as Will and Representation
A pessimistic philosophy of will.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Being and Time
On the meaning of being.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Second Sex
A foundational work of feminist philosophy.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Ethics of Ambiguity
On freedom and responsibility.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Human Condition
On labour, work and action.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Eichmann in Jerusalem
A report on the banality of evil.
- Thoughtful
- Gripping
Where to read
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The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
How science changes through paradigm shifts.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Justice
What's the right thing to do?
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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A Theory of Justice
Justice as fairness.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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Anarchy, State, and Utopia
A libertarian philosophy of the state.
- Thoughtful
Where to read
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The Tao of Pooh
Taoist principles explained through Winnie-the-Pooh.
- Cozy
- Funny
Where to read
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
A father and son ride across America.
- Thoughtful
- Gripping
Where to read
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The Book of Tea
A short essay on tea and Japanese aesthetics.
- Thoughtful
- Cozy
Where to read
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Siddhartha
A man's search for enlightenment.
- Thoughtful
- Inspiring
Where to read
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Types of philosophy books
Looking for something more specific? These are the main kinds of philosophy, with the sort of story or subject each one covers.
Stoicism
Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus.
Existentialism
Sartre, Camus and Kierkegaard.
Ancient Greek philosophy
Plato and Aristotle.
Eastern philosophy
The Tao Te Ching, the Analects and Zen.
Political philosophy
Justice, liberty and power.
Introductions to philosophy
Sophie's World and Russell.
Want to write and publish your own philosophy book?
Many readers of this page are also writers. The stores in the lists above are where readers find books, while Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, Lulu and Draft2Digital are the tools authors use to publish and distribute a book to those stores. You can also publish to Barnes & Noble Press and Google Play Books directly.
Our free KDP calculators help with print cost, royalties and cover size, and our publishing services can take care of setup for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which philosophy book should I read first?
Sophie's World is a gentle introduction. For something short and practical, try Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
Is Stoicism the same as philosophy?
Stoicism is one school of ancient philosophy, and an unusually practical one.
Where can I read or buy the best philosophy books?
Each of the 50 books has links to Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble and Google Play Books. Authors who want to publish their own philosophy book can start with our free guides to Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu and Draft2Digital.
Not sure what to read next?
Pick a genre and a mood and the book finder will suggest three books to try.