Philosophy Books That Don’t Feel Like a Textbook
“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” ― Socrates
Why are we here? What is this all for? And what is truly meant to be? Questions like these have driven thinkers and dreamers for centuries. Philosophy, otherwise known as the study of the fundamental nature of reality and our existence, has long been a topic that has felt out of reach — reserved for academic minds and intellectual circles. Thankfully, there are a number of authors and philosophers who’ve taken much of the intimidation out of philosophy. The following books will invite you to ponder, go deeper, and become wiser.
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Add to BookshelfI Think, Therefore I Draw
by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein
This is not your average philosophy textbook. I Think, Therefore I Draw is a hilarious new exploration of philosophy through cartoons. Bestselling authors Cathcart and Klein cover topics as diverse as religion, gender, knowledge, morality, and the meaning of life (or the lack thereof) and give a thorough introduction to all of the primary debates in philosophy. Packed with dozens of witty cartoons and profound philosophical insight, this book is an excellent reprieve for philosophers and an introduction for the philosophically curious. Whether you read it to understand philosophy better or have a good laugh, this book brings delight while exploring our deepest thoughts.
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$17.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Arguing for a Better World
by Arianne Shahvisi
We all know there are certain kinds of questions that result in a knee-jerk reaction, especially if they touch on your belief system. Sometimes providing a reason for your reaction can be challenging and lead to a conversational stalemate — especially when faced with a political, generational, or cultural divide. In Arguing for a Better World, philosopher Arianne Shahvisi demonstrates the relevance of philosophy to our everyday lives by examining the uncomfortable questions that arise at the dinner table, on social media, or in deep, late-night conversations. By showing you how to work through thorny moral questions by examining their parts, this book will show you how to identify and defend your positions.
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$20.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Life Is Hard
by Kieran Setiya
As the title suggests, life is hard, and sometimes you need a good book to help make getting by a little easier. Setiya draws from ancient and modern philosophy, fiction, history, memoir, film, comedy, social science, and her own experiences to give you a map for navigating rough terrain. Named a “Best Book Of The Year” by The New Yorker and The Economist, Life Is Hard gives you the guidance to cope with pain, make new friends, grieve a loss, fail with grace, confront injustice, and search for meaning in life. And by countering calls to “live your best life,” this book makes finding your way finally feel more accessible.
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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A Philosophy of Walking
by Frederic Gros
For lovers of the afternoon walk, pick up A Philosophy of Walking, an insightful manifesto for putting one foot in front of the other. Authored by French bestseller, leading thinker, and philosopher Frédéric Gros, this book explores the various ways we get from A to B — the pilgrimage, the promenade, the protest march, the nature ramble — and reveals what each path says about us. From Henry David Thoreau and John Muir to Gandhi and Nietzsche, Gros also explores how walking has influenced history’s greatest thinkers. Read this to look deeper at one of life’s most simple, daily actions.
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$19.95Buy from Other Retailers:
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There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness
by Carlo Rovelli
Prepare to embark on an accessible and enlightening voyage through science, literature, philosophy, and politics with this book. Authored by one of the world’s most prominent physicists and fearless free spirit, Carlo Rovelli, There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness is an inviting gateway to the universe and its teachings — but with Rovelli’s unique brand of clarity and wit. From the meaning of atheism to mind-altering psychedelic substances and the future of physics to the power of uncertainty, this is not your typical philosophy book, and that’s precisely why you’ll love it.
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Don’t Worry
by Shunmyo Masuno
Did you know that 90% of your worries simply won’t come true? Discover why in Don’t Worry, a highly practical, internationally bestselling guide by the renowned Zen Buddhist author Shunmyo Masuno. In reading, you’ll learn to stop seeking, stop rushing, and stop obsessing through the principles of Buddhist philosophy. The reviews say it all, with one noting how this book is “an approachable yet flexible guide to making Zen practice a habit.” From lessons on how to not compare yourself to lessons on how to take in less information, Masuno will leave you as a calmer, more relaxed, and more positive version of yourself.
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$22.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Eat Me
by Kenny Shopsin and Carolynn Carreño
Let’s spice up this list, shall we? This will be the most profound — and profane — cookbook you’ll ever read. With more than 120 recipes, Kenny Shopsin, legendary (and legendarily eccentric, ill-tempered, and lovable) chef, is sure to leave you stunned, laughing, and hungry. His personal philosophy (aka rants) ranges from how the customer is not always right to the art of griddling and from how to run a small, ethical, and humane business to how we all should learn to cook in a Goodnight Moon world. Read this for a dose of Shopsin’s own brand of philosophical thinking — and when you are in the mood for cooking.
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$40.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Talk Dirty to Me
by Sallie Tisdale
If you’re looking for a more provocative look at philosophy, then this is the book for you. In Talk Dirty To Me, Tisdale guides you through her field research of peep shows and XXX stores and invites you to create your own “intimate philosophies.” In a frank and funny approach, Tisdale opens up a conversation that many are too afraid to start (especially in academia) to explore sex through the lens of gender and desire, romance and pornography, prostitution and morality, and fantasies and orgasm. As an award-winning essayist, Tisdale’s approach makes talking about sex less awkward and more thrilling. Read it … if you’re tempted.
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$19.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The History of Philosophy
by A. C. Grayling
The History of Philosophy is said to be the first authoritative and accessible single-volume history of philosophy to cover both Western and Eastern traditions. This book is your go-to for those interested in the rich history behind the world’s greatest thinkers. You’ll be drawn into a journey from the age of the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates through Christianity’s capture of the European mind, from the Renaissance and Enlightenment to Mill, Nietzsche, Sartre, and, finally, philosophy today. This type of book will inspire you to scribble in, highlight, or bookmark so you can come back to its insights again and again.
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$22.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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What’s the Point of Philosophy?
by DK
Are you thinking of teaching your kids about philosophy or learning alongside them? DK’s book seamlessly answers why philosophy is essential and what’s so great about it to get kids thinking more critically about the world around them and showcase how philosophy has changed the world, one wild, crazy idea at a time. If philosophy feels daunting (which it does for many — even adults), What’s the Point of Philosophy? is a great place to start understanding everything from why the concept of equality has many sides to the theories on why humans exist. With its clear, accessible text, this middle-grade book is appealing to all ages.
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$19.99Buy from Other Retailers:
