“Ideas are interesting, but people are vastly more so.”
Is there such a thing as good or evil? What is the purpose of life? How do you feel happy? For as long as humans have had the capacity to think about the unknown, Philosophy has been the attempt to make sense of the world and our relationships with it. However, with such existential topics in play, it can often be an overwhelming and frustrating subject to know where to even get started.
Thankfully, there have been plenty of experts on hand to supply us with accessible and compelling guidebooks designed to make sense of everything from the beliefs of influential Philosophers to the fundamentals of abstract concepts. Join us here at What We Reading for the best Philosophy books for beginners!
Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction – Edward Craig
Kicking off our list of the best Philosophy books for beginners is the Oxford University Press’ snappy guidebook on the subject.
This series is centred around introducing some of the must-know principles behind a range of subjects, with Edward Craig taking the reins as they tackle the world of Philosophy. In his book, Craig explores the influential legacies of Western Philosophers such as Plato, Socrates and Descartes, whilst also providing a decent summary of themes relating to ethics and morality, identity and knowledge.
Philosophy As A Way Of Life: Spiritual Exercises From Socrates To Foucault – Pierre Hadot
In Philosophy As A Way Of Life, Pierre Hadot demonstrates how individuals can practically apply Philosophy in their everyday lives, challenging the common perception of the subject as a niche intellectual field filled with speculation, scrutiny, and examination.
Hadot, one of the most acclaimed authors of practical Philosophy, takes readers on a journey from the days of Socrates, chronicling the spiritual exercises that can find a home in Philosophical discourse. He also explains how these exercises can be applied to help improve a reader’s quality of life by fostering an understanding of the art of living.
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The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained (DK Big Ideas) – DK
In terms of accessibility, there are few Philosophy books for beginners better than DK’s The Philosophy Book. DK do a stellar job in getting readers to think like a Philsopher by encouraging them to tackle some of the biggest conundrums on the subject. From whether there is such a thing as absolute good/evil to what it means to exist, every chapter in the book opens with a quote from a famous figure to highlight the logic behind their ideology.
From the ancient Greeks to the Enlightenment and Romantic movements, The Philosophy Book comes with eye-catching illustrations that help readers make sense of more complex subjects, combining overall for a sweeping guidebook that is always digestible.
What Does It All Mean?: A Very Short Introduction To Philosophy – Thomas Nagel
Compared to other Philosophy books for beginners included in this list, Thomas Nagel’s What Does It All Mean? stands out for being a more personalised approach to the fundamentals of the subject.
Mixing in his own opinions and musings alongside some of the most fundamental topics in the field, this blended approach is a formula some readers may find more accessible, and perhaps even more interesting, than other entry-level books that prioritise things being more orderly.
At The Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, And Apricot Cocktails – Sarah Bakewell
Have you ever wondered what it would be like sitting down with all of history’s best philosophers, and sharing lattes in a trendy coffee bar? Sarah Bakewell’s At The Existentialist Cafe is about as close as we’re going to get to that.
One of the best Philosophy books for beginners, Bakewell expertly weaves together the lives and ideologies of figures ranging from Simone de Beauvoir, Iris Murdoch and Hannah Arendt, along with roughly 70 others, to create one of the most comprehensive introductions to some of the biggest names from 20th-century Philosophy.
Philosophy 101 (An Essential Primer On The History Of Thought) – Paul Kleinman
Author Paul Kleinman skillfully breaks down history’s most iconic Philosophers and their complex ideas into snappy and simple explanations in his book, Philosophy 101. Kleinman skates through history, condensing everyone from Plato to Heidegger into manageable segments that swap out the complex jargon for more practical and accessible language any newcomer to Philosophy can make sense of.
Few resources out there provide a more comprehensive run-through on how Philosophy has evolved over the years.
The Philosopher Queens: The Lives And Legacies Of Philosophy’s Unsung Women – Rebecca Buxton And Lisa Whiting
Male thinkers have long dominated the subject of Philosophy. Thankfully, authors Rebecca Buxton and Lisa Whiting go a considerable way in amending this with their acclaimed work, The Philosopher Queens.
This Philosophy book stands out as one of the best choices for beginners seeking to learn more about the most influential women whom history has marginalised and overlooked. Containing twenty-one essays on the likes of Diotima, Ban Zhao and Azizah Y. al-Hibri, The Philosopher Queens covers a diverse range of compelling ideologies and figures that more people should know about.
Think: A Compelling Introduction To Philosophy – Simon Blackburn
Simon Blackburn is the author of Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy as well as Think: A Compelling Introduction To Philosophy, meaning there are few better guides to grasping the basics of the subject.
One of the most well-structured books on understanding the core themes and subjects Philosophers have always grappled with, Think does a wonderful job of explaining why Philosophy is so important, and how attempting to make sense of life, meaning and purpose will always remain a timeless pursuit.
Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide To Life’s Big Questions – Garrett J. Deweese And J.P. Moreland
Have you ever found yourself wondering about some of the biggest Philosophical questions, only to be overawed by some of the conclusions you reach? Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult has you covered!
Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult, designed to inspire readers into thinking more by developing abstract theories with clear and practical examples that help put everything into context, is one of the best Philosophy books for beginners looking to make sense of the world and their place in it.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
