Philosophy Book Recommendations

One of the joys of being a college philosophy instructor, especially in our increasingly digital age, is that students still ask me for accessible book recommendations. Professional philosophical literature can often be dense, technical, and intimidating for newcomers. Below, I have included a number of books that have had a profound impact on me, both as a student and now as a teacher.

I have tried to select titles that can be appreciated by philosophy majors and non-majors alike, and that are readily available through libraries, bookstores, or online retailers.

Please note that this list is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is a collection of books that I believe provide engaging entry points into philosophical questions and ways of thinking. I will continue to update this page regularly and expand the recommendations within specific philosophical sub-disciplines.

General History and Overview of Philosophy

The History of Philosophy by A.C. Grayling

The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell

Think: A Compelling Introduction by Simon Blackburn

The Four Heavens by David Stuart

The Outward Path by Sebastian Purcell

Logic and Critical Thinking

An Introduction to Probability and Inductive Logic by Ian Hacking

Philosophy of Science

Making Modern Science by Peter Bowler and Iwan Rhys Morus

What is This Thing Called Science? by A.F. Chalmers

Philosophy of Science, A Very Short Introduction by Samir Okasha

The Empirical Stance by Bas Van Fraassen

Classical and Hellenistic Philosophy

Epictetus: The Complete Works, Edited by Robin Waterfield

How to Be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci

Existentialism

At the Existentialist Cafe by Sarah Bakewell

The Stranger by Albert Camus

Nauseau by Jean-Paul Sartre

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir

Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Frederich Nietzsche