Every year a slew of new philosophy books are published, works by or about everyone from Aristotle to Žižek and covering everything from aesthetics to Zen. But which ones are actually worth reading? Below our philosophy editor, Nigel Warburton, picks out some of the books that have recently hit the shelves or are out in the next few months (We’ve also included philosophy books that are new in paperback).
How to Live a Good Life: A Guide to Choosing Your Personal Philosophy
by Daniel Kaufman, Massimo Pigliucci & Skye C Cleary
“Socrates was onto something, we think: examining your life, at least from time to time, may help you make small corrections to your life’s course, if need be, and occasionally may even prompt you to make some radical changes to your unfolding path.”
Are you an existentialist? A Stoic? Or does Buddhism have more appeal? In How to Live a Good Life: A Guide to Choosing Your Personal Philosophy, philosophers Skye Cleary, Massimo Pigliucci and Dan Kaufman gather together essays by 15 thinkers, with each presenting the philosophy they’ve chosen to guide their lives.
How to Teach Philosophy to Your Dog: Exploring the Big Questions in Life
by Anthony McGowan
‘We’re doing philosophy now, and that means following the argument wherever it leads, like that time you chased a rabbit and ended up with your head stuck in a hole.’
Anthony McGowan, a long-acclaimed author of children’s and adult books alike, has just released an entertaining, lively book that skips through the debates of modern philosophy. Read our philosophy editor Nigel Warburton’s review.
Secularism: A Very Short Introduction
by Andrew Copson
Secularism: A Very Short Introduction by Andrew Copson is the perfect book to get a good grip on this important and relevant subject.
A Theory of Jerks and Other Philosophical Misadventures
by Eric Schwitzgebel
What is the difference between a jerk and an asshole? A Theory of Jerks and Other Philosophical Misadventures by Eric Schwitzgebel explores this and other important issues.
Lessons in Stoicism: What Ancient Philosophers Teach Us about How to Live
by John Sellars
Lessons in Stoicism “is a short popular guide to Stoicism aimed at a wide audience,” according to the author, John Sellars. Our philosophy editor, Nigel Warburton, has reviewed Lessons in Stoicism below.
Anger and Forgiveness: Resentment, Generosity, and Justice
by Martha Nussbaum
***One of the Best Philosophy Books of 2016, recommended by Nigel Warburton***
“Socrates felt that the written word was a bad thing for philosophy (and life) because although it looked intelligent, every time you asked a question it always gave the same response, whoever asked the question.” Read more...
The Best Philosophy Books of 2019
Nigel Warburton, Philosopher
The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship That Shaped Modern Thought
by Dennis Rasmussen
***One of the Best Philosophy Books of 2016, recommended by Nigel Warburton***
