Best philosophy book

[Charlie]

What is your philosophy book you like best?

 

I like "Poor Richard´s Almanack" from Benjamin Franklin and "The Wisdom of Life" from Arthur Schopenhauer.

 

They are very much "Munger-style" written. Short, sharp and focused to the point. 

 

 

[adventurer]

Schopenhauers "Aphorisms" are truly good. I read them 2-3 times myself and they have a strong connection to Stoicism which is highly en vogue right now (Marc Aurel, Epictetus and Seneca). 

With these two books you are referring to how to conduct a good life. There are of course many other fields within philosophy but since this is what many people are concerned with when turning to philosophy one may also find interesting:

 

- Aristotles` "Nicomachean Ethics" (though far more "dry" and academic)
- Michele de Montaigne`s "Essais" (very good, also has a strong relation to stoicism)

- Bertrand Russells` "The Conquest of Happiness"

I have many more but they are most prominent when it comes to how to conduct a good life. 

Edited 9 hours ago by adventurer

[Eldad]

The History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell (also a famous philosopher) is very good for an in-depth overview. 
 

But unlike Russell, I agree with Blaise Pascal in believing in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and not of the philosophers and of the learned. Therefore IMO, the best book for studying truth, knowledge, and realty would be the Holy Bible and Jesus would be the best explainer of that truth. 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Eldad

[cubsfan]

9 hours ago, Charlie said:

What is your philosophy book you like best?

 

I like "Poor Richard´s Almanack" from Benjamin Franklin and "The Wisdom of Life" from Arthur Schopenhauer.

 

They are very much "Munger-style" written. Short, sharp and focused to the point. 

 

 

yeah i have to agree with you on Poor Charlie’s Almanack - i’ve given away several copies to young people.

[bizaro86]

2 hours ago, Eldad said:

The History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell (also a famous philosopher) is very good for an in-depth overview. 
 

But unlike Russell, I agree with Blaise Pascal in believing in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and not of the philosophers and of the learned. Therefore IMO, the best book for studying truth, knowledge, and realty would be the Holy Bible and Jesus would be the best explainer of that truth. 

 

 

I agree with you - but even besides that the Biblical book of Proverbs is clearly exceptional wisdom whatever your religious beliefs happen to be. 

[Blake Hampton]

- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

- and The Republic by Plato

I think reading The Republic could be especially important today given the current political situation. The author of The Republic, Plato, was a student of Socrates in ancient Athens. Those men were brilliant beyond words. Politics to those two, later including Aristotle and even Alexander the Great, seemed almost akin to applied philosophy, which is interesting.

[Blake Hampton]

Applied philosophy today in America:

 

[coffeecaninvestor]

Probably not on the same level as all the other books discussed here, but an easy daily read is the daily stoic by Ryan Holiday. I liked to reach it each night, and then reflect on that night's reading. 

 

On the Shortness of Life: Life Is Long if You Know How to Use It (Penguin Great Ideas) was a good read as well.