The Apology
The trial and death of Socrates, exploring justice and the examined life.
The Republic
The cave allegory and the nature of reality and knowledge.
Nicomachean Ethics
The foundation of Western ethics and the good life.
Letters from a Stoic
Seneca's letters on how to live well.
The Consolation of Philosophy
Philosophy as consolation, written while awaiting execution.
Meditations on First Philosophy
I think, therefore I am - the foundation of modern philosophy.
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
Hume's skeptical inquiry into human understanding.
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
Kant's groundwork for moral philosophy.
Essays and Aphorisms
Schopenhauer's essays on life, suffering, and wisdom.
Beyond Good and Evil
Nietzsche's critique of morality and the will to power.
Thus Spoke Zarathustra
Zarathustra's teachings on the Übermensch and eternal recurrence.
Pragmatism
James on the practical consequences of beliefs.
The Problems of Philosophy
Russell's accessible introduction to philosophy.
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus
The limits of language and the world.
Being and Time
Heidegger on the question of Being.
The Myth of Sisyphus
The absurd and the question of suicide.
The Second Sex
One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.
Two Concepts of Liberty
Berlin on positive and negative liberty.
What Is It Like to Be a Bat?
What is it like to be a bat? On consciousness.
Reasons and Persons
Parfit on personal identity and what matters.
Famine, Affluence, and Morality
Singer on our obligations to the global poor.
After Virtue
MacIntyre on virtue ethics and moral philosophy.
The Therapy of Desire
Nussbaum on emotions and human flourishing.
Philosophy: A Complete Guide
Accessible introductions to great philosophers.
Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?
Harvard's famous course on justice and ethics.
The Art of War
Ancient wisdom on strategy and conflict.
The Book of Five Rings
The samurai's guide to strategy and life.
Zhuangzi
Taoist parables and philosophy.