10 Best Philosophy Books Of 2020 To Add To Your Reading List

1. The Laws Of Human Nature by Robert Greene

This book combines philosophy with ancient wisdom to answer questions in a contemporary text on what motivates us to do the things we do.

The author uses the motive that since we are all social animals, our lives are somewhat dependant on the interaction we have with others. In other words, if we do not learn what causes others to act the way they do, society will never be successful.

If you are seeking self-control assistance, this book could unlock the way to get it.

2. Start With Why by Simon Sinek

The author is responsible for creating a movement in 2009 that helped people feel more inspired at work and how to share that feeling with co-workers and clients. Following that, millions of people have been impacted by Sinek’s ideas.

This book explores the “why” behind successful products, concepts, and services. He has influential leaders explain the details that led to their success and uses this as a strategy for anyone to use to become a strong leader.

3. Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder

We said earlier that philosophy books were deep. Well, this one is but happens to be written in an easy-to-understand format. The author wrote this volume as a novel.

In it, 14-year-old Sophie embarks on a journey where she is working as an apprentice for an aging philosopher. As the story unfolds, Sophie learns the history of philosophy and picks up several lessons based on historic philosophers.

It is a unique way to teach various thought methods.

4. Plato: Five Dialogues by Plato

What library on philosophy would be complete without a book by one of the most famous of the ancient philosophers?

Plato, who happened to be Socarates’ most famous student, provides five dialogues in this book. Each one presents great ideas, writing, and philosophy. It may read a little awkward in places but that is just a result of the translation.

If you are hoping to gain a piece of greater knowledge from one of the masters, you can’t go wrong with this book at all.

5. Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E Frankl

Nothing sums up the nuts and bolts of philosophy quite like the title of this book. In it, the author tells the story of his time spent in Nazi death camps.

With over 12-million copies sold, the lessons found on the pages have intrigued multiple generations and is built around the concept that there is no way to avoid suffering. However, we do have the ability to manage how we deal with it and how to learn from suffering as we move on.

This is a must-have for sure.

6. Beyond Good & Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche

Originally published in 1886, this book expands on ideas that the author had already published in previous volumes.

He takes a dim view of philosophers who came before him and aims at the common philosophical theme that good and evil are opposites. He claims that both are the same but contain different expressions of impulses.

For a very interesting look at what good and evil truly are, this volume will get you thinking on a different path.

7. The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle

Again, no book collection on philosophy is complete without a book by this ancient philosopher.

The basic theme of this book revolves around Aristotle’s question of “What is the best thing for people?” His answer focuses on the ability to live a good life which creates happiness. The philosopher goes on to explain that happiness allows us to participate in activities that help us to build our specific strengths

The result is a strong and resilient society

8. Flow: The Psychology Of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Part of the authors Discworld series, this volume traces a teen named Mort who has been taken under the apprenticeship of Death.

If you have been following the series you will already be acquainted with the character Death which has made appearances in each of the books in the collection.

Thanks to Mort, Death experiences a slight change in personality becoming more sympathetic and a likeable character. The rest you’ll have to discover on your own.