Best Philosophical Books Top 10 [2024 Update]

What are the best philosophy books you must read? Here you will find the top 10 best philosophical books in the form of an interesting top 10 for beginners and advanced students. Read along…

The top 10 best books about philosophy

1.A Short History of Nearly Everything

In our research, this book has been the best choice because Bryson seeks to understand how we got from there being nothing at all to there being us. He takes as territory everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, attaching himself to a host of the world’s most advanced archaeologists, anthropologists, and mathematicians.

2.The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

According to us, this encyclopedia holds the answers for all the deep thinkers with questions about the world. What is the meaning of life? What is the universe made of? In this book you can read what our eminent philosophers thought about the nature of reality and the fundamental questions we ask ourselves.

3.What’s It All About?: Philosophy and the Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life? In this book, we think that Julian Baggini says there is no single meaning. Instead, meaning can be found in a variety of ways. He breaks down six answers commonly suggested: helping others, serving humanity, being happy, becoming successful, enjoying each day as if it were your last, and “freeing your mind”.

4.Philosophy 101: From Plato and Socrates to Ethics and Metaphysics, an Essential Primer on the History of Thought (Adams 101) 

In our opinion this book cuts out the boring details and exhausting philosophical methodology. Instead, it gives you a lesson in philosophy that keeps you engaged as you explore the fascinating history of human thought and inquisition. Philosophy 101 is packed with entertaining philosophical tidbits, illustrations, and thought puzzles that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

5.100 Famous Philosophy Quotes About Life, Love And Death+ Notebook: Size 120 pages 6×9 inch

The study of philosophy can be a great source of inspiration. To help you find some much-needed healthy inspiration, we rounded up 100 of the best philosophy quotes from famous philosophers and great thinkers. We hope you find them as inspiring, motivating, and hopeful as we do.

6.Destination Earth: A New Philosophy of Travel by a World-Traveler 

More a guide to travel than a travel guide, Destination Earth transforms how you view travel and its relation to Life. According to us it also provides a philosophical framework for embarking on more meaningful and purposeful travels, whether it is an around the world journey, or an exploration of a region, or even a city.

7.The Little Book of Otter Philosophy (The Little Animal Philosophy Books)

In a world that can often seem divided, lonely, and just plain cruel, the otter reminds us of what’s important in life. We chose this one in our top 10 because otters embody pure joy in so many ways – they live for napping, playing, making friends and eating, and forget about the rest.

8.Arguing About Political Philosophy (Arguing About Philosophy)

In our opinion this book is the most complete and interdisciplinary anthology of its kind. Its selections cover both classic philosophical sources such as Hobbes and Rousseau, and contemporary figures like Robert Nozick and G.A. Cohen. Additional excerpts from economists, psychologists, novelists, and legal theorists help students to appreciate the problems and distinctive methodology of political philosophy.

9.Ancient Greece for Kids Through the Lives of its Philosophers, Lawmakers, and Heroes

Kids are fascinated by a story with a plot. Whether these are stories of heroism in scary wars, or of the wisdom and intrigue of ancient kings. This book is our pick because it follows the traditional route of teaching history: through the stories of heroes and kings, with no tribute paid to modern economic and social perspectives.

10.How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

In our opinion, this book takes you on a journey through the thoughts of a Roman Emperor. It is well known that Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic. This philosophy is based on continuous practices. This book can be seen as a guide to this philosophy, helping you in your daily life.

What kind of philosophy books are in this top 10?

This top 10 list contains a varied mix of philosophical books for beginners, advanced, philosophical novels, textbooks, contemporary, new and classic books. There are both books on Western and Eastern philosophy in the list. If you read all the books in this list, you have learned something from everything.

Why would you read philosophy? Ethics without the religion

Why would you read philosophy? One of the reasons philosophy is very useful to read is the ‘goodness’ it wants to bring into the world. Like religions, which contain rules for happiness and socializing, philosophy is also about achieving happiness, peace, and doing the right thing. These lessons that are in philosophy are called ethics.

Read the books and decide for yourself how you want to live

For each book, ask yourself whether you want to live by the ethics commanded or not. So always think carefully with every book. Have fun reading!