Philosophy from every tradition, and the books members write and love, of every kind. Each has its own page: what it is, why read it, where to start, and what members thought. Put books on your shelf, rate what you have read, and add the books you think everyone should know.
The Myth of Sisyphus Albert Camus
Albert Camus · 1942
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.3 · 3 reviews
Beginner Continental
The Nasirean Ethics Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī
Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī · 1235; revised later
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Persian
The Need for Roots Simone Weil
Simone Weil · 1949 (written 1943)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Continental
The New Negro Alain Locke (editor)
Alain Locke (editor) · 1925
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Essays Intermediate African & Africana
The New Science Giambattista Vico
Giambattista Vico · 1725; revised 1730 and 1744
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
History Advanced Modern European
The Open Society and Its Enemies Karl Popper
Karl Popper · 1945
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Analytic
The Origins of Totalitarianism Hannah Arendt
Hannah Arendt · 1951; enlarged 1958
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
History Advanced Continental
The Ornament of the Middle Way (Madhyamakālaṃkāra) Śāntarakṣita
Śāntarakṣita · 8th century CE
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Buddhist
The Passion of the Western Mind Richard Tarnas
Richard Tarnas · 1991
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
History Intermediate Modern European
The Passions of the Soul René Descartes
René Descartes · 1649
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Modern European
The Path of Beauty Li Zehou
Li Zehou · 1981
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
History Intermediate Chinese
The Path of Purification (Visuddhimagga) Buddhaghosa
Buddhaghosa · c. 5th century CE
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Buddhist
The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life Michael Puett and Christine Gross-Loh
Michael Puett and Christine Gross-Loh · 2016
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Beginner Chinese
The Philosophy of Illumination Shihāb al-Dīn Suhrawardī
Shihāb al-Dīn Suhrawardī · 1186
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Persian
The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten Julian Baggini
Julian Baggini · 2005
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Beginner Analytic
The Plague Albert Camus
Albert Camus · 1947
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Fiction Intermediate Continental
The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch Attributed to Huineng (compiled by his disciple Fahai, with later revisions)
Attributed to Huineng (compiled by his disciple Fahai, with later revisions) · 8th century (earliest Dunhuang manuscript); expanded editions later
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.5 · 2 reviews
Beginner Buddhist
The Politics of Reality Marilyn Frye
Marilyn Frye · 1983
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Essays Intermediate Analytic
The Postmodern Condition Jean-François Lyotard
Jean-François Lyotard · 1979
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Intermediate Continental
The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity Toby Ord
Toby Ord · 2020
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Beginner Analytic
The Prince Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli · Written 1513; published 1532
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Beginner Modern European
The Principles of Psychology William James
William James · 1890
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced American
The Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy Anne Conway
Anne Conway · Written c. 1670s; published 1690 (Latin), 1692 (English)
★★★★★ ★★★★★ No reviews yet
Advanced Modern European
The Problems of Philosophy Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell · 1912
★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.5 · 2 reviews
Beginner Analytic