10 recommended books to start reading philosophy

Entering the world of philosophy can be overwhelming. Firstly, because the language and concepts used can be complex for readers. Secondly, because there are a large number of books that we can turn to, but not all of them are the most appropriate to introduce us to this field. Therefore, we will propose a list of 10 books to start reading philosophy.

The selection was designed to provide works that present a clear and accessible introduction. This way, These books will take us through those fundamental questions of this discipline: what is philosophy? What are your most important problems? How can we achieve happiness? What does she have to tell us about the reality we have to live? To mention a few.

Why start reading philosophy?

The importance of philosophy is linked to various areas of human life. These include everyday experience, individual existence, culture and history. In this regard, as the book maintains Why read philosophy today?, this discipline seeks understand the meaning of reality and life, encompassing it in its entirety.

For this reason, his reflections are guided by existential experience and the daily concerns that affect ordinary people. In this way, the following list of books to start reading philosophy seeks to introduce the beginning reader to the topics and concepts that have concerned great thinkers since the beginning of this discipline.

1. History of philosophy without fear or tremblingby Fernando Savater

This work was written by Fernando Savater, who was born in 1947. He is a Spanish philosopher, professor and writer, recognized for his popularization texts and cultural criticism. He is mainly dedicated to ethical reflection, having published several books and articles on this topic. Likewise, he is a political analyst with a lot of influence in contemporary Spain.

This book presents the history of Western philosophy. She does this through dialogue, humor, and enjoyable writing. In this way, the author uses as a resource, throughout his entire work, the approach to the reader’s everyday life. For this reason, it represents an excellent book to start reading philosophy.

His writing makes this work suitable for any beginner reader in this discipline. So, It seeks to introduce you to the fundamental questions and concepts of the best-known philosophers.

2. The fatigue societyby Byung-Chul Han

If what you are looking for is a philosophical critique of contemporary society, this is an excellent option to start reading philosophy. Its writer is the South Korean philosopher and essayist Byung-Chul Han. His works are characterized by making a critical reflection of the world in which we live..

In particular, this work maintains that The disease of the 21st century is excess positivity. This concludes in a tired society, affected by different psychological pathologies. According to Han, we are witnessing a performance society concerned with maximizing its productivity at all times.

This would cause a disarmament of one’s own self. That is to say, The contemporary subject is characterized by exhaustion, fatigue and suffocation. The cause of this is capitalist society, with its mandate of overproduction and overperformance.

Therefore, this work invites us to reflect, through a non-academic philosophical discourse, on the world in which we live: what is happening in our current society? What is the disease of our era?

3. Dolphins, sex and utopias: twelve essays to take philosophy to the streetsby Mary Midgley

In this work, Mary Midgley addresses fundamental questions of philosophy. She does it in a practical way, without complications and without getting entangled in complex debates. Her goal is make this discipline accessible and relevant to its readers.

In this book the aurora exposes the concept of “philosophical plumbing”, through which Make a comparison between plumbing and philosophy. Midgley proposes that both are necessary activities that arise when the world and the system in which we live do not function properly.

4. Nicomachean Ethicsby Aristotle

This work of the Greek philosopher Aristotle It is one of the ethics treatises with the greatest impact, which is why it represents a classic to introduce us to ethical and moral reflection. It is a book that inaugurates this type of reflection as a branch of philosophy.

The questions that motivate this book are what kind of life makes human beings happy? How to achieve a good life? According to this, The ultimate goal of human life is happiness. It is achieved through the cultivation of virtues that lead us towards a good life.

5. The problems of philosophyby Bertrand Russell

This book, published in 1912 by Bertrand Russell, lists a series of typical questions that philosophy has asked throughout history: is there any knowledge so certain that no human being can doubt it? What is the existence of matter? What is an idea? What is the nature of matter?

Thus, Russell tries to answer these questions through well-known examples. by the reader. In turn, in the development of the book he defines the concerns of philosophy. Therefore, if you want to delve into the world of philosophical questions, this is one of the most suitable books to start reading philosophy.

6. Hypokeimenonby Javier Hernández-Pacheco

This work can be considered as an introductory manual to philosophy. It is a historical study in which the thoughts of philosophers of the past are presented. Mostly, Its pages cover the problems and enigmas that these have had in their time.

So its author, Javier Hernández-Pacheco, seeks to rethink the origin of tradition. This is achieved through a journey through different periods in the history of philosophy, but not before warning the reader the following: they must read the book quickly. Curious, right?

7. political philosophy, by Mario Bunge

Political philosophy is an interesting discipline and, to a certain extent, necessary to understand the world in which we live. This book offers us an approach to the concepts and debates of this discipline today.

In this way, it seeks to be a introduction to current political philosophy. To do this, it provides us with definitions and problematizes our reality. Its author, Mario Bunge, is an Argentine philosopher, critic and physicist. His works are of great influence in several countries around the world.

8. Apology of Socratesby Plato

In this platonic dialogue, Plato recounts the speech his teacher Socrates gave when he was accused and sentenced to death.since he was denounced for corrupting youth and not believing in gods.

Likewise, this book exposes Socratic ethics and the philosopher’s way of thinking, in addition to the ideas that cost him his life. It represents the most reliable text to approach the thought of Socrates. Because of this, it is an excellent book to start reading ancient philosophy.

9. Discourse of the methodby René Descartes

This work by the French philosopher René Descartes was published for the first time in 1637. It makes a introduction to the scientific essays and fundamental ideas of this philosopher, which will later be developed in other of his books. Thus, he demonstrates the four principles for defining and demonstrating science.

The importance of this book lies in the great esteem that Descartes gave to reason, clarity and distinction as criteria of truth. This was a decisive step to replace the principle of authority centered on religious beliefs with the free examination of reason.

10. They thought it first: philosophers excluded from memoryby María Luisa Femenías

In general, we are used to hearing the names of male philosophers. Only in the 20th century have some women philosophers appeared on the scene. However, did you know that they have always thought, even since ancient times? Consequently, this is one of the books to start reading philosophy made and thought by women.

Its author, María Luisa Femenías, is an Argentine philosopher and writer. Her work focuses on gender studies, multiculturalism, and violence against women. She holds in her book that The contributions of women to philosophy have been made invisible and undervalued.

Because of this, in her work she seeks to repair the discrimination and inequality that women philosophers have suffered. She achieves this through a historical journey from ancient times to our contemporary times. So, exposes the names of 18 female philosophers with their respective contributions to the discipline.

Start your path through philosophy

Starting the path towards this discipline can be difficult at first. This is due to the complexity of its language and its abstract concepts. Therefore, these 10 books to start reading philosophy are ideal to start your philosophical adventure, since These works synthesize, problematize and criticize philosophy and society itself.

However, don’t forget that this is the beginning. Each page you read will bring you closer to understanding better what this discipline is about and will be part of the path that will lead you to conquer the understanding of more complex works. Therefore, Enter this world and do not stop cultivating your philosophical wisdom.

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