8 Philosophy Books for Beginners

Starting to read Philosophy can be tricky, especially if you don't know where to start. Although there's no right or wrong place to start, here are 8 book recommendations I have for those getting into Philosophy.

Comment below any books I might've missed!

Timecodes:
0:00 - Getting into Philosophy
0:40 - Why Chronological Order Makes Sense
1:12 - Five Dialogues, Plato
2:50 - Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle
4:08 - Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
5:25 - Discourse on Method, René Descartes
6:28 - Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes
9:14 - An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, John Locke
10:29 - An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, David Hume
12:05 - Candide, Voltaire
13:28 - Further Recommendations
14:14 - Closing

#philosophy #bookrecommendations #reading

[ronaldlindeman]

I'll give you my story about Philosophy. I read a bunch of those big individual books, thinking that would help me understand Philosophy. I really didn't get it as much as I should have. Then years later, what I did was read about 10 different Introduction to Philosophy books. That really worked. They explained each author in a different way, I could see the differences between each of the Philosophers and how they fit behind and ahead of the other authors in history.

I don't know if comparing learning Philosophy is like or not like learning Mathematics or Physics. In Mathematics or Physics, they generally don't teach what a Math or Physics person thought about Math or Physics 3, 000 years ago and then build on that. I think Philosophy should be taught like Math or Physics is taught, by going over each idea and not from Philosopher to Philosopher.

[gailcbull]

I'm a fan of classic literature and read Candide several years ago. I think of it as Voltaire's "angry young man novel". His tutor was devoted to the idea of "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds" and Voltaire argued with his tutor constantly about that perspective. Candide is his way of venting against everything he despised about that worldview while simultaneously mocking an elder that he had no respect for. Voltaire was a very intelligent man so he does this in the most philosophical way, but it's still his angry young man novel.

[chaseopsahl]

Stumbled across your channel! I think I'm gonna enjoy it here!

I just started reading Philosophy. I have been thoroughly enjoying Blaise Pascal's Pensées and Plato's dialogues. Nicomachean Ethics is on my list :)

[perfectjj]

You have a marvelous channel. Keep up the great work!

[jonfibonacci]

Meditations is REALLY good. I've recommended this one many times over the last few months or so. Modern Library has the best version in my opinion.

[alwaysgreatusa]

What is the justification for Philosophy itself ? There is no single right answer where to start, but unless you can justify the time spent reading, thinking, discussing, and writing philosophy, you might be wasting your time -- or, even worse, corrupting your mind and spirit. This line of thinking -- justification in general, and the justification of philosophy in particular, along with the pros and cons of various modes and subjects of education, the values to be achieved in life by engaging in philosophical discussion, and the real possibility that philosophy, or lack thereof, might be a corrupting influence in a people's lives -- especially upon the youth -- are at the heart of the Socratic Dialogues written by Plato. This is especially true of Plato's 'Apology'. Here is recreated the trial of Socrates in which he defends himself against the charges of impiety and of having corrupted the youth through his teaching of philosophy. His defense (or apology) is really a defense (or justification) for philosophy itself. If philosophy has a hero, surely it is Socrates. Moreover, his assertion to the effect that 'an unexamined life is not worth living' is both the unofficial motto and ultimate justification for the whole of philosophy. What better place could one start ? The scene is dramatic, the dialogue easy to follow, the discussion entertaining while being intellectually stimulating. What is the purpose of education? What are the values we should pursue ? What is the Good Life ? Why not begin with the Hero of Philosophy himself defending the practice of philosophy, while on trial for his very life ?

Then, if you want to know what Socrates was really about, in my opinion, you couldn't do better than read Clifford's 'Ethics of Belief' -- which is basically a justification for justified belief and reasoning itself. Then, you might want to read William James' reply to Clifford in James' 'The Will to Believe' -- which is basically a refutation of Clifford's claim that holding beliefs upon faith is immoral and never justified. This debate goes to the heart of philosophy, for whereas philosophy attempts to provide a ground for justifying all true beliefs whatsoever, the possibility that such an attempt is foolhardy -- and perhaps even dangerous to human lives that depend upon taking some things on faith, so as to prevent an inaction that would, in those cases, lead to disaster and death, or worse (read Pascal's 'Wager'). What a fascinating debate ! What are the limits of the rational justification that philosophy ostensibly holds to be so valuable to life -- as in 'an unexamined life is not worth living) ? Here we examine the real value of philosophy itself, and put it on trial !

Speaking for the Prosecution, I give you a most famous, most eloquent, and most persuasive writer and philosopher, Jean Jacques Rousseau and his 'Discourse on the Arts and Sciences' in which he attacks the morality of, not only the arts and sciences, but philosophy and progress as well ! You think he doesn't have a good case ? No, he certainly has one ! I think he is certainly wrong, of course, for I am myself a life-long student of the art of philosophy, but I have to confess, the man makes one damn good case against philosophy, art, and science. He is followed by another great philosopher (or anti-philosopher and anti-Christ) Nietzsche -- who defends art and affirms life while attacking philosophy and religion viciously ! Last, comes the more quiet, yet more devastating attack on philosophy by the logician Ludwig Wittgenstein -- who makes it appear that all philosophical discussion is simply NON-SENSE !

Who speaks to defend philosophy other than Socrates and Clifford ? Well, almost every other philosopher in one way or another -- although each conceives philosophy in his own way, and defends one part of it, while rejecting another (see Hume's defense of empirical, psychological, and mathematical reasoning and his rejection of Metaphysics for example.)

But if philosophy is on trial, where is the judge and jury ? LOOK IN THE MIRROR !

[attention]

Can't go wrong with the Greeks. This is very true. It is a complicated question, and most primary texts will proceed in specifics dealing in an explicate domain. One may not get along with Nicomachean Ethics, but will with Physics and Metaphysics. I completely agree, a book like Candid would really be a great place to start. In fact, a lot of fiction, Goethe, Kafka ect. would be best before jumping into the concepts that influenced these works of fiction. All of these are great mentions, ....except Hobbes. Haha 😅 I kid, I just vehemently disagree with so much he put forward, but he is, of course, important nonetheless.

[Amir_m]

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[philipbaity]

The Consolations of Philosophy is a great introduction

[gaspartiznado]

Read all of these during my undergrad, but it was specifically Plato’s Five Dialogues which was my first book ever. Hooked me ever since.

[simonagree]

For me, everything comes from Bertrand Russell's various introductions to philosophy. You start there, you can get a good overview.

[xaque]

If you’re going to talk about philosophy, please don’t misuse the phrase “begs the question.”
i know the pedantic among us are losing that battle but in a philosophical context, it really grates.

Book-wise, i would recommend these more modern books: Twilight of the Idols by Nietzsche, Reasons and Persons by Parfit, and Philosophical Investigations by wittgenstein. not necessarily easy books but pretty accesible, in that they’re well-written and entertaining and don’t really require an enormous background of information. they basically stand on their own

[dustymccraw]

not a bad list. i would add a couple of items to the list: Epictetus would be a great addition with Marcus Aurelius and stoicism; And, I believe that one of the best books for anyone beginning their studies in Philosophy is Bertrand Russell's "The Problems of Philosophy." In fact, i would recommend that book as the first book to read. one of my undergraduate degrees is in philosophy. And, while there were many books along the path, Russell's book was, and is, a standout.

[JoeBuck-ucbl]

Have you read Frederick Copleston’s pretty famous 11 volume History of Philosophy? It’s supposed to be a more substantial history of philosophy than what you usually find with histories of philosophy. By more substantial I mean that in histories of philosophy you don’t really get a meaty treatment of “Grasping the philosophical concepts”, but as the name implies, just a more general historical rundown of philosophy. Well supposedly Copleston’s massive 11 volume history is supposed to give you the best of both worlds…an understanding of the history of philosophy, AND an understanding of the philosophical concepts as well.

[albinjohnsson]

Unless you have a good education in the humanities or social sciences, I recommend reading some introductory works to the history of philosophy, or history of ideas in general, before diving into the actual philosophy. This way, you'll get a map of the general terrain and you'll be able to understand the texts you read in a broader ideational context. It will also be easier to navigate the field and find your area of interest. I can assure you, works in logic and existentialism, for example, are very very different to read.

[nickbernardo]

I appreciate your book selections. I would like to add one book. Or, more appropriately, a grouping of six books. Any person who cares to learn about philosophy should first read the Organon of Aristotle. It is absolutely imperative to learn how to use syllogistic logic for understanding philosophy. Some books you’ll read by philosophers will be well written, but with flawed logic. It’s imperative to understand logic first and foremost before beginning in philosophy. This is my humble opinion, thank you for reading.

[johneagle]

Thank you. That's exactly what I was looking for.

[HoangNguyen-lcbj]

Thanks for the list! I recently read a book titled "Meandering Sobriety." This is a great book with a collection of 40 stories concerning the philosophy of life and work, a bit humorous and still thought-provoking. Maybe you like it

[omarmadhloom]

Great vid but totally take issue with the Kant jibe (said in jest, of course). I think the Groundwork is an accessible short text for a beginner. Appreciate that as a Kantian I am biased.

[josephromance]

"Beg the you use that in a non-philosophical way?