philosophical essays to read

1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology

Philosophy, One Thousand Words at a Time

Welcome to 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology , an ever-growing set of over 180 original 1000-word essays on philosophical questions, theories, figures, and arguments.

We publish new essays frequently, so please check back for updates, follow us on Facebook , Twitter / X , and Instagram , and subscribe by email on this page to receive notifications of new essays.

All of our essays are now available in audio format; many of our essays are available as videos .

Select Recent Essays

Artificial Intelligence: The Possibility of Artificial Minds by Thomas Metcalf

The Mind-Body Problem: What Are Minds? by Jacob Berger

Seemings: Justifying Beliefs Based on How Things Seem by Kaj André Zeller

Form and Matter: Hylomorphism by Jeremy W. Skrzypek

Kant’s Theory of the Sublime by Matthew Sanderson

Philosophy of Color by Tiina Carita Rosenqvist

On Karl Marx’s Slogan “From Each According to their Ability, To Each According to their Need” by Sam Badger

Philosophy as a Way of Life by Christine Darr

Philosophy of Mysticism: Do Mystical Experiences Justify Religious Beliefs? by Matthew Sanderson

Ancient Cynicism: Rejecting Civilization and Returning to Nature by G. M. Trujillo, Jr.

“Properly Basic” Belief in God: Believing in God without an Argument by Jamie B. Turner

Philosophy of Time: Time’s Arrow by Dan Peterson

W.D. Ross’s Ethics of “Prima Facie” Duties by Matthew Pianalto

Aristotle on Friendship: What Does It Take to Be a Good Friend? by G. M. Trujillo, Jr.

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: the Journey Out of Ignorance by Spencer Case

Epistemic Justification: What is Rational Belief? by Todd R. Long

The Doctrine of Double Effect: Do Intentions Matter to Ethics? by Gabriel Andrade

The Buddhist Theory of No-Self (Anātman/Anattā) by Daniel Weltman

Self-Knowledge: Knowing Your Own Mind by Benjamin Winokur

The Meaning of Life: What’s the Point? and Meaning in Life: What Makes Our Lives Meaningful? by Matthew Pianalto

The Philosophy of Humor: What Makes Something Funny? by Chris A. Kramer

Karl Marx’s Theory of History by Angus Taylor

Saving the Many or the Few: The Moral Relevance of Numbers by Theron Pummer

Philosophy of Space and Time: What is Space? and Philosophy of Space and Time: Are the Past and Future Real ? by Dan Peterson

What Is Misogyny? by Odelia Zuckerman and Clair Morrissey

Philosophy and Race: An Introduction to Philosophy of Race by Thomas Metcalf

“Can They Suffer?”: Bentham on our Obligations to Animals by Daniel Weltman

Ursula Le Guin’s “The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas”: Would You Walk Away? by Spencer Case

Indoctrination: What is it to Indoctrinate Someone? by Chris Ranalli

Agnosticism about God’s Existence by Sylwia Wilczewska

African American Existentialism: DuBois, Locke, Thurman, and King by Anthony Sean Neal

Conspiracy Theories by Jared Millson

Philosophical Inquiry in Childhood by Jana Mohr Lone

* New categories are added as the project expands.

Popular Essays

* This is a selection of some of our most popular essays.

Descartes’ “I think, therefore I am” by Charles Miceli and Descartes’ Meditations by Marc Bobro

Marx’s Conception of Alienation by Dan Lowe

John Rawls’ ‘A Theory of Justice’ by Ben Davies

The Ethics of Abortion by Nathan Nobis

Aristotle’s Defense of Slavery by Dan Lowe

“God is Dead”: Nietzsche and the Death of God by Justin Remhof

Philosophy and Its Contrast with Science : Comparing Philosophical and Scientific Understanding by Thomas Metcalf

Happiness: What is it to be Happy? by Kiki Berk

Pascal’s Wager: A Pragmatic Argument for Belief in God by Liz Jackson

The African Ethic of Ubuntu by Thaddeus Metz

New to philosophy?! Perhaps begin with these essays:

What is Philosophy? by Thomas Metcalf,

Critical Thinking: What is it to be a Critical Thinker? by Carolina Flores,

Arguments: Why Do You Believe What You Believe? by Thomas Metcalf, and

Is it Wrong to Believe Without Sufficient Evidence? W.K. Clifford’s “The Ethics of Belief” by Spencer Case.

We have resources for students on How to Write a Philosophical Essay and How to Read Philosophy by the Editors of 1000-Word Philosophy .

A teaching units page has resources to help instructors develop course modules.

2023 and 2022 End of Year Reports are available here .

We have STICKERS! Want a free sticker or some stickers?? Let us know and we’ll send you some! (Offer only available for addresses in the US, unfortunately, due to postage costs.)

Follow 1000-Word Philosophy on Facebook , Twitter / X , and Instagram and subscribe to receive email notifications of new essays at 1000WordPhilosophy.com

1,000-Word Philosophy: Philosophy for Everyone

“Professional philosophy can seem abstract, esoteric, and hyper-specialized. But we all ask and try to answer philosophical questions myriad times daily: philosophy is the purview not just of the expert, but of all thoughtful people. 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology is an open-access journal of philosophy. Its essays are introductions rather than argumentative articles. Its intended audience is the general reader and students in philosophy, and philosophical, courses. Our goal in writing and sharing these essays is to provide high-quality introductions to great philosophical questions and debates. We hope that philosophers and non-philosophers alike will benefit from perusing these essays.”

About 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology

Today we will interview the editors of 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology ( 1000WordPhilosophy.com ), an open-access project dedicated to providing excellent introductions to philosophical issues that are ideal for students and public philosophy purposes.

APA blog : How did 1000-Word Philosophy start?

Andrew Chapman started 1000-Word Philosophy while he was a doctoral student at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Grad students find themselves teaching a lot of topics that they’ve never taught before, and so grad students with different specialities often ask one another for a 5-minute refresher course on a specific topic. He noticed how adept his colleagues were at coming up with these amazing summaries of complicated issues off of the tops of their heads and thought that it would be tremendously helpful—for other philosophers and for nonphilosophers—if these summaries were collected and shared somewhere. And thus 1000-Word Philosophy was born.

The specific number of words, 1000, was intended to correspond with about 5 minutes of reading time, although it’s also just a nice, round number. It became apparent though that 1000 words was around the number needed to do a thorough but not overly technical or overly specific job at introducing a topic. And 1000 words is the perfect length for an essay that introduces undergraduates who otherwise would struggle with a long essay to material that is graspable in a much shorter format. That was a serendipitous development!

APA blog : What areas of philosophy do you publish essays in?

We currently have over 80 essays published in 17 categories, and we add more categories when we publish new essays in new areas. We’ve recently added the categories of Philosophy of Race , Philosophy of Education , Buddhist Philosophy , Chinese Philosophy , and Logic and Reasoning .

For a long time we’ve had the categories of Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art , Ethics , Epistemology , Historical Philosophy , Metaphilosophy , Metaphysics , Phenomenology and Existentialism , Philosophy of Mind and Language , Philosophy of Religion , Philosophy of Science , Philosophy of Sex and Gender , and Social and Political Philosophy.

Some essays are placed in multiple categories. The Ethics and Philosophy of Religion categories have the most essays.

APA blog :Who reads these essays?

Philosophy instructors, students and general readers from around the globe. We get the most views first from the US, then the UK, Canada, India, the Philippines, and then European and African countries.

Many philosophy instructors use our essays in classes: they often mention that when they contact us about submitting an essay. The accessibility level of the essays ensure that teachers can easily generate discussion, and their length means that students can read about an important topic without being overwhelmed.

From contact we’ve had with general readers, it seems that some of them have less access to formal higher education or are autodidacts. They are just interested in learning more about philosophy and appreciate finding these introductory essays.

The essays are also useful for supplemental readings, beyond the main texts for a class. So they work great for background readings, “if you want to learn more”-type readings (especially since they have suggestions for further readings in them) and readings for when class discussion goes on tangents to interesting, but unexpected, topics.

APA blog : What are some of the most popular essays?

One measure of popularly is number of views. The essay “ Karl Marx’s Conception of Alienation ” has around 70,000 views. The essay on abortion has around 35,000 views. Some of the earlier essays have tens of thousands of views.

The recent essays that address issues about race and gender have been especially particular popular, in terms of shares and discussion on Twitter and Facebook . The essay on Mary Astell , an early modern woman philosopher, was posted just a few months ago and was (and remains) especially popular.

APA blog : Who can contribute?

Nearly all of our essays are by philosophy professors or advanced graduate students in philosophy. People typically are able to develop essays packed with philosophical content, presented in a manner readily understood by nearly anyone, only if they have had significant teaching experience involving dialogue with students. That interaction allows for a better sense for how non-experts often see and understand issues and so allows an author to write effectively for that audience.

APA blog : How are the essays reviewed?

The essays are all reviewed by the editors, all of whom have contributed multiple essays to the anthology and have taken an interest in its growth and success. The essays are also often evaluated by outsider reviewers.

Feedback ranges from concerns about “the big picture” of the essay and its goals and organizations to the extreme details of each word choice: with a 1000 word limit, each word has to count: there’s no room for anything distracting or not necessary for the purposes of the essay.

We do the reviewing and editing using Google docs, which allows for real-time discussion (and debate, sometimes) on what would improve the essay. We hope that this scrutiny from so many different “eyes” results in essays that are really strong introductions to the topics for our intended audience.

APA blog : What’s rewarding about this project?

It’s rewarding to help an author develop an essay that is incredibly clear, concise, direct and vivid, so it is very easy to read and understand for anyone, including students and general readers. This format results in essays that, we hope, have a certain kind of beauty, in being so clear and direct.

It’s also a great pleasure to teach using these essays, since students are really able to understand them and access the ideas and arguments much more quickly and easily, compared to many traditional readings.

For example, one of us recently taught Descartes’ Meditations using Marc Bobro’s pair of essays ; we read them out loud in class, meditating along with Descartes and discussing along the way. In the end, students were much more able to explain the overall argument of the Meditations, compared to when this activity was done with traditional translations. For students who are overwhelmed by longer, more complex readings, this format really helps.

APA blog : What is challenging about this project?

While we get many submissions, it is a “challenge” that we don’t get more submissions. There are many skilled philosophers who could contribute expertly-done essays on important and interesting topics, especially in areas where there are few introductory-level writings on the topics. We can hope that many of them haven’t contributed only because they are unaware of the anthology. Now more of them are aware!

APA blog : What are the current goals for the anthology?

We are working to diversify the set of essays, in many ways, and diversifying the team of people working on the project. We are seeking more essays by women and philosophers of color, on any and all topics. And we are seeking essays that introduce important areas and issues in philosophy that have been underrepresented.

For example, there are calls for including “global philosophy” in courses or “diversifying the canon.” We suspect that a lot of instructors would really like to do that, but really don’t know where to begin. So we hope to publish excellent introductions to unfamiliar traditions that instructors can use to “get their feet wet,” which would then lead to learning about and teaching (and researching) more advanced sources. We have made some progress with this – with essays on Chinese ethics and political philosophy and Buddhism – but this is just a start and so much more is needed.

Although this is a globally-accessible project, it is US-based, and so we are also very interested in essays that address unique philosophical issues of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in America, such as African-American philosophy and Native-American philosophy, among other traditions.

Finally, we have a good foundation in many “traditional” areas of philosophy, historical and contemporary, but there are still many essays needed to really fill that in. To use the page for an introductory philosophy or ethics course, we have a lot of what someone would want to use, but not everything. We are working on identifying what’s essential for that teaching purpose, but missing, and getting those essays commissioned.

APA blog : What are the future goals for the anthology?

We will always keep the material online and freely (and globally) accessible to all, but we also want to have the materials available in low-cost print book or books.

We would also like to do some technical upgrades so the webpage and essays are found by more people who are looking for this type of material. There is high demand for “public philosophy” and great introductory materials, and we need to do more so people who are seeking will find our essays and authors. If anyone can help us with any of our goals, we’d appreciate it!

Editorial Board for 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology :

Founder, Editor: Andrew D. Chapman, University of Colorado, Boulder

Editor: Shane Gronholz, Gonzaga University, Washington

Editor: Chelsea Haramia, Spring Hill College, Alabama

Editor: Dan Lowe, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Editor: Thomas Metcalf, Spring Hill College, Alabama

Editor-in-Chief: Nathan Nobis, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia

1000 Word Philosophy
Editor: Nathan Oseroff
public philosophy
teaching philosophy

Treading water, or self-care and success as a graduate student, i don’t read enough, the ancient practice of rest days, finding meaning in moving: my experiences as an aussie grad student, philosophers at the cia an insider’s account, teaching with sci-fi stories: empathic imagination and meta-reflection.

[…] Nathan Nobis is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Morehouse College. He is also Editor-in-Chief of 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology. […]

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Welcome to PhilPapers

Results of 2020 PhilPapers Survey posted 2021-11-01 by David Bourget We've now released the results of the 2020 PhilPapers Survey, which surveyed 1785 professional philosophers on their views on 100 philosophical issues. Results are available on the 2020 PhilPapers Survey website and in draft article form in " Philosophers on Philosophy: The 2020 PhilPapers Survey " . Discussion is welcome in the PhilPapers Survey 2020 discussion group .

Reading as a Philosopher

David W. Concepción’s Top Ten Pointers

Next to the large red “D” at the bottom of the term paper I wrote for a mid-level political science course during my second semester in college, was written, “You think like a philosopher, not a political scientist.” Blithely taking this comment, the only comment, as sage advice rather than dismissive insult, I signed up to take “Theories of Human Nature” in the philosophy department the next semester.

I remember having a profound but vague feeling that was a mixture of relief and exhilaration during the first week of Theories of Human Nature. “I have found my people,” I thought. I didn’t know that there is a field of study that counted as sensible the questions that were always in my head. Even more amazing is that the type of thoughts I offered as answers, while ramshackle, were the same type of answers philosophers provide. I changed my major before the end of the semester.

But I had a problem. I did not know how to read philosophy. I did not know how to connect reasons to conclusions, track changes in voice, decipher nuance, evaluate arguments, or use the text to critique my own views. I knew how to read so as to extract information that I might be asked to regurgitate at some later point, but I didn’t know how to read as philosophers read. While accurate basic information distillation is necessary for a meaningful philosophy reading experience, it is woefully insufficient. In my first philosophy course, I read every assignment slowly with a dictionary and thesaurus at my side. With the exception of Kant – which I knew I didn’t understand – I discovered and rediscovered each day in class that what I had done, the way I had read, did not prepare me to engage the ideas in the way that was expected of me. As a nascent philosophy enthusiast, I was spinning my wheels. What follows is a top 10 list of the things I wish I had known when I started reading philosophy.

(1) There is no such thing as reading without qualification. Instead there is reading as a philosopher, historian, cartographer, journalist, and so on. Even within a discipline there is no single way to read. In part, this is because there are many sub-types of writing within each field. Perhaps the most prevalent form of writing among philosophers is argumentative writing. In this form, the author defends a thesis by attempting to show that certain inferences from something uncontroversial to something surprising are plausible. The author is also likely to try to show that attempts to prove that an inference they make fails are unsuccessful. But some philosophers work near the intersection of philosophy and literary criticism, where the phrase “I argue that …” simply means “I believe that …” and where few inferences may be offered. Other philosophers work near the intersection of philosophy and physics, where sentences such as “∀n (Q(n) P(n))” might occur. Some philosophers quote a lot in an attempt to show that one interpretation of a text is superior to an alternative interpretation, while yet other philosophers attempt to prove a point in a way where quotations and footnotes are merely to notice that others have said something about the topic. And, a recent upsurge in experimental philosophy has given birth to yet another form of philosophical writing.

I mention this variety to make it clear that what follows must be understood as incomplete. It reflects my training as an ethicist who works predominantly with article and chapter length, English language, twentieth and twenty-first century writing in a pluralist but analytic-leaning tradition.

In addition to differences in types of philosophical writing, there are differences in the goals one might have when reading philosophy. Which goals one has influences how one should read. What excites me so much about reading philosophy is the opportunity to have my beliefs and values challenged. I read philosophy to identify, clarify, and test my current beliefs and values. As such, reading philosophy is an act of creation, self-creation of perspicuous wisdom regarding how to live well with others. As a step toward this wisdom making, I hope that the first-year students in my philosophy courses become more intellectually humble and less dogmatic as a result of reading philosophy. For most people, these goals are unattainable unless they give themselves over to the strangeness and disquiet that so often comes with reading philosophy.

(2) The experience of reading philosophy is strange. It is strange, in part, because the subject matter of philosophy is immaterial. This shouldn’t suggest that facts don’t matter in philosophy. A mantra of an ethics teacher of mine was “Good ethics starts with good facts”. Right he was. Rather, to say that the subject matter of philosophy is immaterial is to say that questions such as “What is justice?,” “Does the God of Abraham exist?,” and “What can I know?” are not answered by plumbing the depths of empirical or even social objects. They are answered by drawing inferences to increase the coherence among one’s set of beliefs, and, in the unusual case, deriving corollaries from (apparently) self-evident truths. What is strange about this is that philosophy is ostensibly a truth-seeking practice. Yet it seeks truth without assuming doctrinal foundations or the use of the scientific method; Philosophy tries to achieve an end without using either of the centuries old means thought appropriate for the task. What’s worse, more often than not the attempt fails. Philosophy shows that many things which are thought true are not, but it doesn’t establish very many truths. Philosophy is strange because it is more of a falsity shedding venture than a truth building one. This strangeness confirms for me that philosophy is centrally about gaining wisdom and not truth, although one shouldn’t turn one’s nose up at a truth if one is found.

The strangeness of philosophy has implications for the reader of philosophy. The philosophy reader should not be searching for bits of established fact or even for evidence designed to confirm a hypothesis regarding an empirical (or social) fact. Rather, in a text, a reader of philosophy should look for inferences or connections between highly plausible assumptions and surprising conclusions that are difficult reject.

(3) The experience of reading philosophy is often disquieting. When reading philosophy, the values around which one has heretofore organised one’s life may come to look provincial, flatly wrong, or even evil. When beliefs previously held as truths are rendered implausible, new beliefs, values, and ways of living may be required. This philosophical cut at one’s core beliefs, values, and way of life is difficult enough. What’s worse, philosophers admonish each other to remain unsutured until such time as a defensible new answer is revealed or constructed. Sometimes philosophical writing is even strictly critical in that it does not even attempt to provide an alternative after tearing down a cultural or conceptual citadel. The reader of philosophy must be prepared for the possibility of this experience. While reading philosophy can help one clarify one’s values, and even make one self-conscious for the first time of the fact that there are good reasons for believing what one believes, it can also generate unremediated doubt that is difficult to live with. (4) To read philosophy well one needs courage.

Lastly, before moving to more concrete reading practices, let’s remember that when done well reading philosophy is an instance of doing philosophy. If one uses the arguments found in a philosophical text as the occasion to evaluate the plausibility of one’s own justifications for believing what one believes, then one is doing philosophy. After reading philosophy one will often have gathered some information and been entertained. But reading philosophy is at its core an act of creation. Reading philosophy is most exciting when the reader puts themself at risk by being open to persuasion. Sometimes nothing short of one’s identity is at stake.

So, philosophers read courageously, evaluating the plausibility of inferences, with an openness to self-re-creation wrenched from a dissipation and reconstruction of truth. But how does one read this way? There are two major steps: understanding and evaluating.

Understanding. (5) Set the Stage. Before reading an essay about which I know very little I sometimes find it helpful to read a Wikipedia summary. But too often Wikipedia is not detailed enough. When I need more background information, I turn to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy or the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. The Internet Encyclopedia is usually a bit more accessible, while the Stanford Encyclopedia is usually more thorough. By gaining some understanding of the conceptual terrain within which the essay I am reading resides, I can usually make better sense of the fine-grained discussion found in the essay.

Understanding. (6) Track the structure and voice of the argumentation. Philosophical texts have conclusions, reasons, criticisms, and replies. First, discern what the author hopes to show. While the conclusion is usually stated rather early, it might be at the end of the first section, and it might not be explicitly stated until the concluding section of the essay. Second, figure out why the author thinks they are right. Typically, the initial argument should begin early in the essay, but it might not be pulled together until the end. Throughout the paper, the author is likely to consider objections to the assertions they make. It is important to notice the change in voice that proceeds the explanation of an objection. For example, a reader might see “critics of this idea might argue …” These oftentimes brief and sometimes only implied shifts to the critic’s voice are crucial for tracking the argument. In almost every case an objection will be followed by a return to the author’s voice: “By way of reply …” Marking where the moves from argument, criticism, and response take place make it much easier to pull the entire argument together.

Understanding. (7) Assess and note progress. Some passages are particularly thorny. As a result, it is very common to read philosophy much slower than one reads other texts. Indeed, many philosophers stop at the end of sections, and sometimes paragraphs or even sentences, to check if they can restate the ideas in their own words. If it is difficult to do so, some re-reading before moving on is necessary. For the most difficult texts, I create paragraph by paragraph summaries as I go by writing a clause or a sentence that is a paraphrase of the central content of a paragraph. By making sure that I understand a paragraph well enough to state its main point in my own words, I know I am ready to move on.

Understanding. (8) Bring it all together. I find it very helpful to write out a summary of the argument once I reach the end of an essay. This summary compiles the assumptions and inferences the author believes leads to the conclusion, as well as the objections and replies considered along the way. Typically, these summaries are quite abbreviated; they contain bullet points and lists. The aim of such a summary isn’t to generate an accessible prose abridgment, but rather to capture purely for my own use the major argumentative moves in the essay. Without the argumentative moves readily at hand it would be difficult to do the fun stuff: it would be difficult to evaluate the text.

(9) Evaluate. At one’s leisure ruminate on what additional reasons there might be to think the author is correct or incorrect. Consider whether one’s lived experience provides any insights regarding the merits of the arguments? What are the implications of the author being correct? For truth? For your beliefs? For how you should live? Talk with friends about the arguments, especially those who are likely to disagree with you. Draft additional criticisms and see if you can imagine replies on the author’s behalf.

(10) Decide. After sufficient time, move from evaluating the arguments to your own conclusions. Is the author right, wrong, or, more likely, partly right and partly wrong? About what, if anything, ought you change your mind? Once you’ve decided what you think about the ideas in the essay, pick up another one that contains new arguments that might change your mind again.

As for what to read, who knows? Read what excites you. I believe people who are early in a philosophy reading career are well served by sticking to article and chapter length works until they come across an author or topic they really like. If you aren’t sure where your interests lie, or you’re looking for something unlike what you normally read, start by browsing the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. If you’re lucky there will be a book that collects essays around a theme that provokes you. If you are really lucky, a favorited author will have a book that collects the author’s essays, such that you get revised versions that have something of a thread, even as they continue to stand alone.

Three of my favourites as I began my journey as a philosophy reader were Thomas Nagel’s Mortal Questions , Bernard Williams’ Moral Luck , and Marilyn Frye’s The Politics of Reality . On the more literary side of philosophy are James Baldwin, Collected Essays and Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There . Finally, when you really fall in love with a thinker, as I did with John Rawls, it’s time to pick up a tome. Rawls’ A Theory of Justice might just change your life.

David W. Concepción is professor of philosophy at Ball State University, chair of the American Philosophical Association, Committee on Teaching, and author of Reading Philosophy with Background Knowledge and Metacognition.

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A collection of over 120 philosophy reading lists organised by topic

One of the most common questions people ask when learning about philosophy is: “ what should I read first? ” Unfortunately, it can also be a difficult question to answer. Philosophy is an incredibly broad subject and there is no single starting point that will be best for everyone. The best place to start will depend heavily on your preferred learning style, the topics you’re interested in, and the amount of time and energy you’re willing to spend reading. Instead of recommending a single “best” starting point, these lists aim to provide reading recommendations that will suit a broad range of learning styles. Where available, each list aims to contain:

a short, beginner friendly introduction – these are usually a safe bet for total beginners, or for people reading primarily out of curiousity or for pleasure
a longer, more comprehensive introduction – these are typically books that would be suitable for an undergraduate philosophy course
an philosophical anthology – these feature a collection of important readings on a particular topic
a philosophy handbook or companion – these are collections of up-to-date articles on a topic. They tend to be more comprehensive and are aimed at an academic audience. They’re usually an excellent starting-point for students doing research for essays.
a couple of classic works – most lists also contain a few classic works of philosophy. These tend to vary significantly in length and difficulty.

This variety aims to provide options to suit many different learning styles. If you tend to find classic works of philosophy difficult to understand, there’s usually a short, beginner-friendly introduction to the topic available instead. If you prefer more depth, you can choose a more comprehensive introduction, a relevant handbook, or pick up one of the classics. It’s also worth noting that these are not personal recommendations. These lists were created by browsing through hundreds of community recommendations , philosophy course syllabi , and encyclopedia article bibliographies. More infomation on each of these lists can be found by following the link above each list.

There are over 120 reading lists below, simply choose a topic to get started.

Table of Contents

This section features reading lists on various philosophical topics.

Introductions to Philosophy

You can find more information on these books on this page .

The Pig That Wants To Be Eaten: 100 Experiments for the Armchair Philosopher – Julian Baggini
What Does It All Mean?: A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy – Thomas Nagel
Sophie’s World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy – Jostein Gaarder
Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy – Simon Blackburn
A New History of Western Philosophy – Anthony Kenny
The Trial and Death of Socrates – Plato
Meditations – Marcus Aurelius
Meditations on First Philosophy – René Descartes

Epistemology

Knowledge: A Very Short Introduction – Jennifer Nagel
Epistemology: A Contemporary Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge – Robert Audi
Epistemology: An Anthology – Sosa et al.
Theaetetus – Plato
Discourse on the Method/Meditations on First Philosophy – René Descartes
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding – John Locke
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding – David Hume
Memory: A Very Short Introduction – Johnathan K. Foster
Memory: A Philosophical Study – Sven Bernecker
Theories of Memory: A Reader – Rossington & Whitehead
The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Memory – Bernecker & Michaelian
Theatetus – Plato
Perception: A Very Short Introduction – Brian Rogers
Philosophy of Perception : A Contemporary Introduction – William Fish
Vision and Mind: Selected Readings in the Philosophy of Perception – Noe & Thompson
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Perception – Mohan Matthen
The Problems of Philosophy – Bertrand Russell
The Phenomenology of Perception – Maurice Merleau-Ponty
The Problem of Perception – A. D. Smith
Scepticism: A Very Short Introduction – Duncan Pritchard
Skepticism in Philosophy: A Comprehensive, Historical Introduction – Henrick Lagerlund
Skepticism: A Contemporary Reader – DeRose & Warfield
The Oxford Handbook of Skepticism – John Greco
Meditations on First Philosophy – Rene Decartes
On Certainty – Ludwig Wittgenstein
The Significance of Philosophical Scepticism – Barry Stroud

Ethics is the study of concepts involving practical reasoning: good, right, duty, obligation, virtue, choice, etc. You can find more information on these books on this page .

The Elements Of Moral Philosophy – James Rachels & Stuart Rachels
The Fundamentals of Ethics – Russ Shafer-Landau
Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues – Steven Cahn & Peter Markie
The Republic – Plato
Nicomachean Ethics – Aristotle
Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals – Immanuel Kant
Utilitarianism – John Stuart Mill
Practical Ethics – Peter Singer

Animal Ethics

Ethics and Animals: An Introduction – Lori Gruen
The Animal Rights Debate – Francione & Garner
The Oxford Handbook of Animal Ethics – Tom L. Beauchamp & R.G. Frey
The Animal Ethics Reader – Susan J. Armstrong & Richard G. Botzler
Animal Liberation – Peter Singer
The Case for Animal Rights – Tom Regan

Applied Ethics

Ethics in the Real World: 82 Brief Essays on Things That Matter – Peter Singer
Doing Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues – Lewis Vaughn
Contemporary Debates in Applied Ethics – Andrew I. Cohen & Christopher Heath Wellman
The Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics – Hugh LaFollette
A Companion to Applied Ethics – R. G. Frey & Christopher Heath Wellman
Ethics in Practice: An Anthology – Hugh LaFollette

Bioethics is the branch of ethics that investigates problems specifically arising from medical and biological practice. You can find more information on these books on this page .

The Basics of Bioethics – Robert M. Veatch
Principles of Biomedical Ethics – Tom L. Beauchamp & James F. Childress
A Companion to Bioethics – Helga Kuhse & Peter Singer
The Oxford Handbook of Bioethics – Bonnie Steinbock
Bioethics: An Anthology – Kuhse, Schüklenk & Singer

Consequentialism

Consequentialism is the view that the rightness (or wrongness) of an action is determined entirely by its consequences. You can find more information on these books on this page .

Consequentialism – Julia Driver
Consequentialism and Its Critics – Samuel Scheffler
The Oxford Handbook of Consequentialism – Douglas W. Portmore
An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation – Jeremy Bentham
The Demands of Consequentialism – Tim Mulgan

Deontological Ethics

Deontological ethics refers to ethical views that judge actions primarily based on notions of duties or rights. You can find more information on these books on this page .

Kantian Ethics – Allen W. Wood
Deontology – Stephen Darwall
The Blackwell Guide to Kant’s Ethics – Thomas E. Hill Jr.
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals – Immanuel Kant
The Right and the Good – David Ross

Effective Altruism

Effective Altruism is a social movement which was influenced by the philosopher Peter Singer and aims to do the most good in the world. You can find more information on these books on this page .

Doing Good Better – Will MacAskill
The Most Good You Can Do – Peter Singer
The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity – Toby Ord
80,000 Hours: Find a Fulfilling Career that Does Good – Benjamin Todd
Effective Altruism: Philosophical Issues – Greaves & Plummer
Famine, Affluence, and Morality – Peter Singer

Environmental Ethics

Environmental ethics is the branch of ethics concerning issues relating to the environment. You can find more information on these books on this page .

Environmental Ethics: A Very Short Introduction – Robin Attfield
Ethics and the Environment: An Introduction – Dale Jamieson
The Oxford Handbook of Environmental Ethics – Allen Thompson & Stephen M. Gardiner
Environmental Ethics: An Anthology – Andrew Light & Holmes Rolston III
Friendship – A. C. Grayling
The Philosophy of Friendship – Mark Vernon
Friendship: A Philosophical Reader – Neera Badhwar
Lysis, Symposium, Phaedrus, Alcibiades, with Selections from Republic and Laws – Plato
On Friendship – Alexander Nehemas

All ethical views ascribe some value to happiness, however there is considerable disagreement about what happiness actually is. You can find more information on these books on this page .

Happiness: A Very Short Introduction – Daniel M. Haybron
What is This Things Called Happiness? – Fred Feldman
Oxford Handbook of Happiness – Susan David et al.
Theories of Happiness: An Anthology – Jennifer Wilson Mulnix & M.J. Mulnix
The Pursuit of Unhappiness – Daniel M. Haybron
Love: A Very Short Introduction – Ronald de Sousa
Philosophy of Love: A Partial Summing-up – Irving Singer
Eros, Agape, and Philia: Readings in the Philosophy of Love – Alan Soble
The Routledge Handbook of Love in Philosophy – Adrienne Martin
The Art of Loving – Erich Fromm
Existentialism and Romantic Love – Skye Cleary
What Love Is: And What it Could Be – Carrie Jenkins

Meaning of Life

What’s It All About?: Philosophy and the Meaning of Life – Julian Baggini
Exploring the Meaning of Life: An Anthology and Guide – Joshua W. Seachris
Meaning in Life and Why It Matters – Susan Wolf
Meaning in Life: An Analytic Study – Thaddeus Metz
Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl

Metaethics investigates the nature and grounds of ethical beliefs and systems. You can find more information on these books on this page .

What is this thing called Metaethics? – Matthew Chrisman
Metaethics: A Contemporary Introduction – Mark van Roojen
The Routledge Handbook of Metaethics – Tristram McPherson & David Plunkett
Foundations of Ethics: An Anthology – Russ Shafer-Landau & Terence Cuneo
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals – Immanuel Kant

Moral Psychology

Moral Psychology: An Introduction – Mark Alfano
Moral Psychology: A Contemporary Introduction – Valerie Tiberius
The Moral Psychology Handbook – John M. Doris
Moral Psychology: Historical and Contemporary Readings – Nadelhoffer et al.
The Republic – Plato
Nicomachean Ethics – Aristotle
Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals – David Hume

Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is the view that actions should be judged based on whether they tend to maximize happiness, pleasure, or well-being. You can find more information on these books on this page .

Utilitarianism: A Very Short Introduction – Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek & Peter Singer
Understanding Utilitarianism – Tim Mulgan
The Cambridge Companion to Utilitarianism – Ben Eggleston & Dale E. Miller
The Classical Utilitarians: Bentham and Mill – John Troyer
An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation – Jeremy Bentham
Utilitarianism – John Stuart Mill
The Methods of Ethics – Henry Sidgwick
The Point of View of the Universe – Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek & Peter Singer

Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics is an approach to ethics that tends to emphasize the role of virtue, or moral character, in ethical decision making. You can find more information on these books on this page .

Virtue Ethics: A Contemporary Introduction – Liezl van Zyl
The Cambridge Companion to Virtue Ethics – Daniel C. Russell
Virtue Ethics – Roger Crisp & Michael Slote
Natural Goodness – Philippa Foot
After Virtue – Alasdair MacIntyre
On Virtue Ethics – Rosalind Hursthouse
The Philosophy of Well-Being: An Introduction – Guy Fletcher
How to Live a Good Life: A Guide to Choosing your Personal Philosophy – Pigliucci, Cleary, & Kaufman
The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Well-Being – Guy Fletcher
The Good Life – Charles Guignon
Philosophy and the Good Life – John Cottingham
The Best Things in Life – Thomas Hurka

Metaphysics

Metaphysics: A Very Short Introduction – Stephen Mumford
Riddles of Existence: A Guided Tour of Metaphysics – Earl Conee and Theodore Sider
A Survey of Metaphysics – E. J. Lowe
Metaphysics: The Big Questions – Peter Inwagen and Dean Zimmerman
Phaedo – Plato
Metaphysics – Aristotle
Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics – Immanuel Kant
Causation: A Very Short Introduction – Mumford & Anjum
Causation: A User’s Guide – Paul & Hall
Causation (Oxford Readings In Philosophy) – Ernest Sosa
The Oxford Handbook of Causation – Beebee, Hitchcock, & Menzies
An Enquiry Concerning the Human Understanding – David Hume
The Cement of the Universe: A Study of Causation – J. L. Mackie
Death – Shelly Kagan
Philosophy and Death: Introductory Readings – S. Brennan & R. J. Stainton
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Death – B. Bradley, F. Feldman, & J. Johansson
Phaedo – Plato
Letter to Menoeceus – Epicurus
The Death of Ivan Ilyich – Leo Tolstoy
Free Will: A Very Short Introduction – Thomas Pink
A Contemporary Introduction to Free Will – Robert Kane
Four Views on Free Will – Fischer, Kane, Pereboom, & Vargas
Free Will – Gary Watson
The Oxford Handbook of Free Will – Robert Kane
Elbow Room: The Varieties of Free Will Worth Wanting – Daniel C. Dennett
An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion – Brian Davies
Arguing about Gods – Graham Oppy
Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Religion – C. Meister & P. Copan
Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion – David Hume
Five Proofs of the Existence of God – Edward Feser
The Miracle of Theism: Arguments For and Against the Existence of God – J. L. Mackie

Philosophy of Mind

Mind: A Brief Introduction – John R. Searle
Philosophy of Mind – Jaegwon Kim
Philosophy of Mind: Classical and Contemporary Readings – David J. Chalmers
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Mind – McLaughlin, Beckermann, & Walter

Personal Identity

A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality – John Perry
Persons and Personal Identity – Amy Kind
Personal Identity – Harold W. Noonan
Personal Identity – John Perry
The Oxford Handbook of the Self – Shaun Gallagher
A Treatise of Human Nature – David Hume
Reasons and Persons – Derek Parfit

Political Philosophy

An Introduction to Political Philosophy – Jonathan Wolff
Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction – Will Kimlicka
Arguing About Political Philosophy – Matt Zwolinski
Politics – Aristotle
The Prince – Niccolò Machiavelli
Second Treatise of Government – John Locke
Early Writings – Karl Marx
On Liberty – John Stuart Mill
Anarchism: A Very Short Introduction – Colin Ward
Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism – Peter Marshall
No Gods, No Masters: An Anthology of Anarchism – Daniel Guerin
The Bloomsbury Companion to Anarchism – Ruth Kinna
Property is Theft!: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Reader – Iain McKay
God and the State – Mikhail Bakunin
Anarchism and Other Essays – Emma Goldman
The Conquest of Bread and Other Writings – Peter Kropotkin
In Defense of Anarchism – Robert Paul Wolff
Is There a Duty to Obey the Law? For and Against – Wellman & Simmons

Conservatism

How to Be a Conservative – Roger Scruton
Conservatism: An Anthology of Social and Political Thought From David Hume to the Present – Jerry Z. Muller
Reflections on the Revolution in France – Edmund Burke
The Conservative Mind: From Burke to Eliot – Russell Kirk
Rationalism in Politics – Michael Oakeshott

Critical Theory

Introducing Critical Theory – Stuart Sim
Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas – David Held
Critical Theory: The Essential Readings – David Ingram
Critical Theory: Selected Essays – Max Horkheimer
One-Dimensional Man – Herbert Marcuse
Grand Hotel Abyss: The Lives of the Frankfurt School – Stuart Jeffries
Theories of Democracy: A Critical Introduction – Frank Cunningham
Models of Democracy – David Held
Philosophy and Democracy: An Anthology – Thomas Christiano
The Social Contract – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Democracy in America – Alexis de Tocqueville
On Democracy – Robert A. Dahl
Democratic Authority: A Philosophical Framework – David M. Estlund
Against Democracy – Jason Brennan
Freedom: An Introduction with Readings – Nigel Warburton
Freedom: Contemporary Liberal Perspectives – Katrin Flikschuh
Freedom: A Philosophical Anthology – I. Carter, M. Kramer & H. Steiner
The Liberty Reader – David Miller
The Oxford Handbook of Freedom – David Schmidtz & Carmen Pavel
On Liberty – John Stuart Mill
Four Essays on Liberty – Isaiah Berlin

Global Justice

Global Justice – Jon Mandle
Political Theory and International Relations – Charles R. Beitz
The Global Justice Reader – Thom Brooks
Global Justice: Seminal Essays – Thomas Pogge & Darrel Moellendorf
The Law of Peoples – John Rawls
World Poverty and Human Rights – Thomas W. Pogge
Global Justice: A Cosmopolitan Account – Gillian Brock

Human Rights

Human Rights: A Very Short Introduction – Andrew Clapham
The Evolution of International Human Rights – Paul Gordon Lauren
Human Rights: An Introduction – Darren J. O’Byrne
Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights – Cruft, Liao, & Renzo
World Poverty and Human Rights – Thomas Pogge
The Idea of Human Rights – Charles R. Beitz
On Human Rights – James Griffin
The Heart of Human Rights – Allen Buchanan
Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? – Michael Sandel
Justice: An Anthology – Louis P. Pojman
The Oxford Handbook of Distributive Justice – Serena Oslaretti
Republic – Plato
A Theory of Justice – John Rawls
The Idea of Justice – Amartya Sen
Rescuing Justice and Equality – G. A. Cohen
Liberalism: A Very Short Introduction – Michael Freeden
Liberalism and the Limits of Justice – Michael Sandel
Liberalism and Its Critics – Michael Sandel
The Cambridge Companion to Liberalism – Steven Wall
Second Treatise of Government – John Locke
Political Liberalism – John Rawls

Libertarianism

Libertarianism: What Everyone Needs to Know – Jason Brennan
Libertarianism (Key Concepts in Political Theory) – Eric Mack
The Libertarian Reader: Classic and Contemporary Writings – David Boaz
The Routledge Handbook of Libertarianism – Brennan, van der Vossen, & Schmidtz
Anarchy, State, and Utopia – Robert Nozick
Law, Legislation, and Liberty, Volume 1: Rules and Order – Friedrich Hayek
Left Libertarianism and its Critics: The Contemporary Debate – Vallentyne & Steiner
Libertarianism without Inequality – Michael Otsuka
Understanding Marxism – Geoff Boucher
Main Currents of Marxism – Leszek Kolakowski
Marxism after Marx – David McLellan
Marx and Modernity: Key Readings and Commentary – Robert Antonio
Critical Companion to Contemporary Marxism – Bidet & Kouvelakis
Selected Writings – Karl Marx
A Future for Marxism? – Andrew Levine
Reconstructing Marxism – Wright, Levine, & Sober
From Marxism to Post-Marxism – Göran Therborn
The Problem of Punishment – David Boonin
Why Punish? How Much?: A Reader on Punishment – Michael Tonry
The Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy and Science of Punishment – Focquaert, Shaw, and Waller
Punishment and Responsibility: Essays in the Philosophy of Law – H.L.A. Hart
Discipline & Punish: The Birth of the Prison – Michel Foucault
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness – Michelle Alexander
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison: Ideology, Class, and Criminal Justice – Reiman & Leighton
Socialism: Past and Future – Michael Harrington
Why Not Socialism? – G. A. Cohen
Socialism: Utopian and Scientific – Friedrich Engels
The Fatal Conceit – Friedrich Hayek
A Future for Socialism – John Roemer
Envisioning Real Utopias – Erik Olin Wright
How to Be an Anti-capitalist in the 21st Century – Erik Olin Wright
The Utopia Reader – Claeys & Sargeant
Utopia – Thomas More
Ideology and Utopia – Karl Mannheim
The Grasshopper: Games Life, and Utopia – Bernard Suits
Anarchy, State and Utopia – Robert Nozick
Utopia as Method – Ruth Levitas
Automation and Utopia – John Danaher
Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations – Michael Walzer
The Ethics of War and Peace – Helen Frowe
The Morality of War: A Reader – Kinsella & Carr
The Oxford Handbook of Ethics of War – Seth Lazar
On War – Carl von Clausewitz
Killing in War – Jeff Mcmahan

African Philosophy

An Introduction to African Philosophy – Samuel Oluoch Imbo
A Short History of African Philosophy – Barry Hallen
African Philosophy: Myth and Reality – Paulin J. Hountondji & Abiola Irele
African Philosophy in Search of Identity – D. A. Masolo
A Companion to African Philosophy – Kwasi Wiredu
The African Philosophy Reader – P.H. Coetzee & A.P.J. Roux

Chinese Philosophy

Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy – Bryan W. Van Norden
A Short History of Chinese Philosophy – Fung Yu-lan
Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy – P. J. Ivanhoe & B. W. Van Norden
Dao De Jing – Laozi
The Analects – Confucius
Mencius – Mencius
Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings – Chuang Tzu
The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life – Michael Puett

Indian Philosophy

Indian Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction – Sue Hamilton
An Introduction to Indian Philosophy – Roy W. Perrett
Classical Indian Philosophy – Adamson & Ganeri
A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy – Radhakrishnan & Moore
Oxford Handbook of Indian Philosophy – Jonardon Ganeri
The Upanishads
The Bhagavad Gita
In the Buddha’s Words – Bhikkhu Bodhi

Islamic Philosophy

Philosophy in the Islamic World: A Very Short Introduction – Peter Adamson
Philosophy in the Islamic World – Peter Adamson
Classical Arabic Philosophy: An Anthology of Sources – McGinnis & Reisman
The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy – Peter Adamson
The Incoherence of the Philosophers – al-Ghazali
The Metaphysics of The Healing – Avicenna

Analytic Philosophy

Analytic Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction – Michael Beaney
A Brief History of Analytic Philosophy: From Russell to Rawls – Stephen P. Schwartz
Twentieth-Century Analytic Philosophy – Avrum Stroll
A Companion to Analytic Philosophy – A. P. Martinich & David Sosa
Analytic Philosophy: An Anthology – A. P. Martinich & David Sosa

Ancient Greek Philosophy

Ancient Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction – Julia Annas
Ancient Greek Philosophy: From the Presocratics to the Hellenistic Philosophers – Thomas A. Blackson
Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy: From Thales to Aristotle – S. Cohen, P. Curd & C. D. C. Reeve
The Presocratic Philosophers – G. S. Kirk, J. E. Raven & M. Schofield
The Trial and Death of Socrates – Plato
The Essential Epicurus – Epicurus

Philosophy of Biology

Philosophy of Biology – Peter Godfrey-Smith
Sex and Death : An Introduction to Philosophy of Biology – Kim Sterelny & Paul E. Griffiths
Cambridge Companion to the Philosophy of Biology – David L. Hull & Michael Ruse
Philosophy of Biology: An Anthology – Alex Rosenberg & Robert Arp

Buddhist Philosophy

What the Buddha Taught – Walpola Rahula
The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation – Thich Nhat Hanh
An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy – Stephen J. Laumakis
A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy – Steven M. Immanuel
Buddhist Philosophy: Selected Readings – Edelglass & Garfield
In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon – Bhikkhu Bodhi
The Dhammapada
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment – Robert Wright

Confuciusianism

Confucianism: A Very Short Introduction – Daniel K. Gardner
Thinking Through Confucius – D. L. Hall & R. T. Ames
Confucius: The Secular as Sacred – Herbert Fingarette
A Concise Companion to Confucius – Paul R. Goldin

Continental Philosophy

Continental Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction – Simon Critchley
Continental Philosophy: An Introduction – David West
The Continental Philosophy Reader – R. Kearney & M. Rainwater
The Oxford Handbook of Continental Philosophy – B. Leiter & M. Rosen

Critical Thinking

Giving Reasons: An Extremely Short Introduction to Critical Thinking – David R. Morrow
Critical Thinking: A Concise Guide – Tracy Bowell & Gary Kemp
A Rulebook for Arguments – Anthony Weston
Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric: The Use of Reason in Everyday Life – Nancy M. Cavender & Howard Kahane
Understanding Arguments: An Introduction to Informal Logic – Walter Sinnott-Armstrong & Robert J. Fogelin
Zhuangzi: The Essential Writings – Zhuangzi
Introducing Daoism – Livia Kohn
Daoism and Chinese Culture – Livia Kohn
Taoism: Growth of a Religion – Isabelle Robinet
The Taoist Experience: An Anthology – Livia Kohn

Decision Theory

Making Better Decisions: Decision Theory in Practice – Itzhak Gilboa
Choices: An Introduction to Decision Theory – Michael D. Resnik
An Introduction to Decision Theory – Martin Peterson
Blackwell Handbook of Judgment and Decision Making – Derek J. Koehler & Nigel Harvey

Philosophy of Economics

Philosophy of Economics – Don Ross
Philosophy of Economics: A Contemporary Introduction – Julian Reiss
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Economics – Harold Kincaid & Don Ross
The Philosophy of Economics: An Anthology – Daniel M. Hausman

Philosophy of Education

The Philosophy of Education: An Introduction – Richard Bailey
Philosophy of Education – Nel Noddings
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Education – Harvey Siegel
Classic and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Education – Steven M. Cahn
Emile: or, On Education – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Democracy and Education – John Dewey
Pedagogy of the Oppressed – Paulo Freire

Philosophy of Emotion

The Emotions: A Philosophical Introduction – J. Deonna & F. Teroni
Emotions: An Essay in Aid of Moral Psychology – Robert C. Roberts
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Emotion – Peter Goldie
What Is an Emotion?: Classic and Contemporary Readings – Robert C. Solomon
The Passions of the Soul – René Descartes
A Treatise of Human Nature – David Hume

The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment: A Very Short Introduction – John Robertson
The Enlightenment – Dorinda Outram
The Dream of Enlightenment: The Rise of Modern Philosophy – Anthony Gottlieb
The Portable Enlightenment Reader – Issac Kramnick
Discourse on the Method – Rene Descartes
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman – Mary Wollstonecraft

Existentialism

An Introduction to Existentialism – Robert G. Olsen
At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails – Sarah Bakewell
Basic Writings of Existentialism – Gordon Marino
The Cambridge Companion to Existentialism – Steven Crowell
The Sickness unto Death: A Christian Psychological Exposition of Edification & Awakening – Søren Kierkegaard
Jean-Paul Sartre: Basic Writings – Jean-Paul Sartre
The Ethics of Ambiguity – Simone de Beauvoir

Feminist Philosophy

An Introduction to Feminist Philosophy – Alison Stone
Feminist Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction – Rosemarie Tong
The Routledge Companion to Feminist Philosophy – Garry, Khader, & Stone
Feminist Theory: A Philosophical Anthology – Ann Cudd & Andreasen
The Subjection of Women – John Stuart Mill
The Second Sex – Simone de Beauvoir
Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny – Kate Manne

Philosophy of Film

The Philosophy of Motion Pictures – Noël Carroll
Philosophy of Film and Motion Pictures: An Anthology – Noël Carroll & Jinhee Choi
The Palgrave Handbook of the Philosophy of Film and Motion and Motion Pictures – Carroll, Summa, & Loht
Current Controversies in Philosophy of Film – Kathleen Thomas Jones
What is Cinema? Vol. 1 – Andre Bazin
The World Viewed: Reflections on the Ontology of Film – Stanley Cavell

Philosophy of Gender

Gender: The Key Concepts – Mary Evans
Debating Sex and Gender – Georgia Warnke
The Gender Knot – Allan G. Johnson
Justice, Gender, and the Family – Susan Moller Okin
Undoing Gender – Judith Butler

History of Philosophy

A Little History of Philosophy – Nigel Warburton
How the World Thinks: A Global History of Philosophy – Julian Baggini
An Illustrated Brief History of Western Philosophy – Anthony Kenny
A History of Philosophy – Frederick Copleston
Classics of Western Philosophy – Steven M. Cahn

Philosophy of History

The Philosophy of History: An Introduction – Mark Day
The Philosophy of History (Oxford Readings in Philosophy) – Patrick Gardiner
A Companion to the Philosophy of History and Historiography – Aviezer Tucker
Lectures on the Philosophy of History – G. W. F. Hegel
Karl Marx’s Theory of History: A Defense – G. A. Cohen

Human Nature

Thirteen Theories of Human Nature – Stevenson et al.
Who Are We? Theories of Human Nature – Louis P. Pojman
Arguing About Human Nature: Contemporary Debates – Stephen M. Downes
Leviathan – Thomas Hobbes
The Descent of Man – Charles Darwin
Human Nature after Darwin – Janet Radcliffe Richards

Philosophy of Language

Philosophy of Language – Scott Soames
Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction – William G Lycan
The Philosophy of Language – Martinich & Sosa
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Language – Lepore & Smith
Logic: A Very Short Introduction – Graham Priest
A Concise Introduction to Logic – Patrick J. Hurley & Lori Watson
Introduction to Logic – Irving M. Copi et al.
A Companion to Philosophical Logic – Dale Jacquette

Philosophy of Mathematics

Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction – Timothy Gowers
Philosophy of Mathematics – Øystein Linnebo
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Mathematics and Logic – Stewart Shapiro
An Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Mathematics: A Reader – Russell Marcus & Mark McEvoy

Medieval Philosophy

Medieval Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction – John Marenbon
An Introduction to Medieval Philosophy: Basic Concepts – Joseph W. Koterski
Philosophy in the Middle Ages – A. Hyman, J. Walsh & T. Williams
The Cambridge Companion to Medieval Philosophy – A. S. Mcgrade
Confessions – St. Augustine
The Consolation of Philosophy – Boethius
Three Philosophical Dialogues – St. Anselm

Philosophy of Music

Philosophy of Music: An Introduction – R. A. Sharpe
An Introduction to a Philosophy of Music – Peter Kivy
Philosophers on Music: Experience, Meaning and Work – Kathleen Stock
The Routledge Companion to Philosophy and Music – Theodore Gracyk
On the Musically Beautiful – Eduard Hanslick

Phenomenology

Phenomenology: The Basics – Dan Zahavi
Introduction to Phenomenology – Dermot Moran
The Oxford Handbook on Contemporary Phenomenology – Dan Zahavi
The Phenomenology Reader – Timothy Mooney & Dermot Moran

Philosophy of Physics

Philosophy of Physics: Space and Time – Tim Maudlin
Philosophical Concepts in Physics – James T. Cushing
An Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics: Locality, Fields, Energy, and Mass – Marc Lange
Philosophy of Physics – Lawrence Sklar
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Physics – Robert Batterman

Postmodernism

The Origins of Postmodernity – Perry Anderson
Postmodern Theory – Steven Best & Douglas Kellner
French Philosophy in the Twentieth Century – Gary Gutting
From Modernism to Postmodernism – Lawrence E. Cahoone
The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge – Jean-Francois Lyotard
Pragmatism: A Guide for the Perplexed – Robert B. Talisse & Scott Aikin
The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America – Louis Menand
Pragmatism: A Reader – Louis Menand
The Cambridge Companion to Pragmatism – Alan Malachowski
Pragmatism – William James
The Essential Peirce – C. S. Peirce
The Essential Dewey – John Dewey

Philosophy of Race

Race: A Philosophical Introduction – Paul C. Taylor
Philosophy of Race: An Introduction – Naomi Zack
Racism: A Short History – George M. Fredrickson
The Routledge Companion to the Philosophy of Race – Paul C Taylor et al.
The Idea of Race – Robert Bernasconi & Tommy Lee Lott
Black Skin: White Masks – Frantz Fanon

Philosophy of Religion

Philosophy of Religion: A Very Short Introduction – Tim Bayne
Philosophy of Religion: A Contemporary Introduction – Keith E. Yandell
Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology – Pojman & Rea
The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Religion – William Wainwright
Theodicy: Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man, and the Origin of Evil – Gottfried Leibniz
Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason – Immanuel Kant

Philosophy of Science

Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction – Samir Okasha
Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science – Peter Godfrey-Smith
Philosophy of Science: Contemporary Readings – Yuri Balashov & Alex Rosenberg
The Logic of Scientific Discovery – Karl Popper
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions – Thomas S. Kuhn

Philosophy of Technology

Philosophy of Technology: An Introduction – Val Dusek
A Companion to the Philosophy of Technology – Jan Kyrre Berg Olsen et al.
Philosophy of Technology: The Technological Condition: An Anthology – Robert C. Scharff & Val Dusek
What Things Do – Peter-Paul Verbeek

Philosophers

This section features reading lists on individual philosophers. It is arranged in roughly chronological order.

Pre-Socratics

Presocratic Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction – Catherine Osborne
The Presocratic Philosophers – Jonathan Barnes
Philosophy Before Socrates: An Introduction with Texts and Commentary – Richard D. McKirahan
The Oxford Handbook of Presocratic Philosophy – P. Curd & D. W. Graham
The Presocratic Philosophers: A Critical History with a Selection of Texts – G. S. Kirk, J. E. Raven, & M. Schofield
The Texts of Early Greek Philosophy – Daniel W. Graham
Socrates: A Very Short Introduction – Christopher Taylor
Socrates – George Rudebusch
Socrates, Ironist and Moral Philosopher – Gregory Vlastos
The Cambridge Companion to Socrates – Donald R. Morrison
Complete Works – Plato
Plato: A Very Short Introduction – Julia Annas
Plato: A Guide for the Perplexed – Gerald A. Press
The Cambridge Companion to Plato – Richard Kraut
Five Dialogues – Plato
Symposium – Plato
Complete Works – Plato
Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction – Jonathan Barnes
Aristotle: The Desire to Understand – Jonathan Lear
A New Aristotle Reader – J. L. Ackrill
The Complete Works of Aristotle – Jonathan Barnes
The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle – Jonathan Barnes
Rhetoric and Poetics – Aristotle
Physics – Aristotle
Epicureanism: A Very Short Introduction – Catherine Wilson
Epicureanism – Tim O’Keefe
The Cambridge Companion to Epicureanism – James Warren
The Essential Epicurus – Epicurus
The Nature of Things – Lucretius
How to Be a Stoic – Massimo Pigliucci
Stoicism – John Sellars
The Cambridge Companion to the Stoics – Brad Inwood
Letters from a Stoic – Seneca
Discourses, Fragments, Handbook – Epictetus
Plotinus – Eyjólfur K. Emilsson
Plotinus: An Introduction to the Enneads – Dominic J. O’Meara
The Cambridge Companion to Plotinus – Lloyd P. Gerson
The Essential Plotinus – S.J. Elmer O’Brien
The Enneads – Plotinus

St. Augustine

Augustine: A Very Short Introduction – Henry Chadwick
Augustine of Hippo: A Biography – Peter Brown
The Cambridge Companion to Augustine – David Vincent Meconi & Eleonore Stump
Confessions – Saint Augustine
City of God – Saint Augustine
On Christian Doctrine – Saint Augustine
Boethius – John Marenbon
Boethius: The Consolations of Music, Logic, Theology, and Philosophy – Henry Chadwick
The Cambridge Companion to Boethius – John Marenbon
Anselm – G. R. Evans
Anselm – Sandra Visser & Thomas Williams
The Cambridge Companion to Anselm – Brian Davies & Brian Leftow
The Major Works – St. Anselm
Proslogion – St. Anselm
Maimonides – T. M. Rudavsky
Maimonides: Life and Thought – Moshe Halbertal
The Cambridge Companion to Maimonides – Kenneth Seeskin
The Guide of the Perplexed – Maimonides

St. Aquinas

Aquinas: A Beginner’s Guide – Edward Feser
The Thought of Thomas Aquinas – Brian Davies
Aquinas: An Introduction to the Life and Work of the Great Medieval Thinker – F. C. Copleston
The Oxford Handbook of Aquinas – Brian Davies & Eleonore Stump
Thomas Aquinas: Selected Writings – Thomas Aquinas

Machiavelli

Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction – Quentin Skinner
Niccolò Machiavelli: An Intellectual Biography – Corrado Vivanti
The Cambridge Companion to Machiavelli – John M. Najemy
The Portable Machiavelli – Niccolò Machiavelli
Discourses on Livy – Niccolò Machiavelli
How To Read Montaigne – Terence Cave
Michel de Montaigne: Accidental Philosopher – Ann Hartle
How to Live: Or A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer – Sarah Bakewell
The Cambridge Companion to Montaigne – Ullrich Langer
Essays – Montaigne

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon – Perez Zagorin
Francis Bacon: The History of a Character Assassination – Nieves Mathews
The Cambridge Companion to Bacon – Markku Peltonen
Francis Bacon: The Major Works – Francis Bacon
The New Organon – Francis Bacon
The Advancement of Learning – Francis Bacon
Hobbes: A Very Short Introduction – Richard Tuck
Hobbes – A. P. Martinich
Hobbes: A Biography – A. P. Martinich
The Cambridge Companion to Hobbes – Tom Sorell
The Elements of Law – Thomas Hobbes
Descartes: A Very Short Introduction – Tom Sorell
Descartes: An Intellectual Biography – Stephen Gaukroger
The Cambridge Companion to Descartes – John Cottingham
Discourse on Method – René Descartes
Selected Philosophical Writings – René Descartes
Pascal the Philosopher: An Introduction – Graeme Hunter
Pascal – Ben Rogers
The Cambridge Companion to Pascal – Nicholas Hammond
Penseés – Blaise Pascal
Spinoza: A Very Short Introduction – Roger Scruton
Spinoza – Michael Della Rocca
Spinoza: A Life – Steven Nadler
The Cambridge Companion to Spinoza – Don Garrett
A Spinoza Reader: The Ethics and Other Works – Edwin Curley
Ethics – Spinoza
Theological-Political Treatise – Spinoza
Locke: A Very Short Introduction – John Dunn
Locke – Samuel Rickless
Locke: A Biography – Roger Woolhouse
The Cambridge Companion to Locke – Vere Chappell
On Toleration – John Locke
Berkeley: A Guide for the Perplexed – Talia Mae Bettcher
Berkeley’s Thought – George S. Pappas
The Cambridge Companion to Berkeley – Kenneth P. Winkler
Berkeley: Philosophical Writings – George Berkeley
The Principles of Human Knowledge – George Berkeley
Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous – George Berkeley
Hume: A Very Short Introduction – A. J. Ayer
The Philosophy of David Hume – Norman Kemp Smith
Hume: An Intellectual Biography – James A. Harris
The Cambridge Companion to Hume – David Fate Norton & Jacqueline Taylor
Selected Essays – David Hume
Rousseau: A Very Short Introduction – Robert Wokler
Rousseau – Nicholas Dent
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius – Leo Damrosch
The Cambridge Companion to Rousseau – Patrick Riley
Discourse on the Origin of Inequality – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The Confessions – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Emile: Or On Education – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Kant: A Very Short Introduction – Roger Scruton
Kant – Paul Guyer
Kant: A Biography – Manfred Kuehn
The Cambridge Companion to Kant – Paul Guyer
Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals – Immanuel Kant
Critique of Judgement – Immanuel Kant
Critique of Pure Reason – Immanuel Kant
Simply Hegel – Robert L. Wicks
An Introduction to Hegel: Freedom, Truth and History – Stephen Houlgate
Hegel – Frederick Beiser
Hegel: A Biography – Terry Pinkard
The Cambridge Companion to Hegel – Frederick C. Beiser
Reading Hegel: The Introductions – G. W. F. Hegel

Schopenhauer

Schopenhauer: A Very Short Introduction – Christopher Janaway
Schopenhauer – Julian Young
Schopenhauer: A Biography – David E. Cartwright
The Cambridge Companion to Schopenhauer – Christopher Janaway
The Essential Schopenhauer – Arthur Schopenhauer
Essays and Aphorisms – Arthur Schopenhauer
The World as Will and Representation – Arthur Schopenhauer

John Stuart Mill

Why Read Mill Today? – John Skorupski
John Stuart Mill: A Biography – Nicholas Capaldi
The Cambridge Companion to Mill – John Skorupski
Autobiography – John Stuart Mill

Kierkegaard

Kierkegaard: An Introduction – C. Stephen Evans
Kierkegaard: A Very Short Introduction – Patrick Gardiner
Kierkegaard: A Biography – Alastair Hannay
Fear and Trembling – Søren Kierkegaard
Either/Or – Søren Kierkegaard
The Sickness unto Death – Søren Kierkegaard
The Concept of Anxiety – Søren Kierkegaard
The Cambridge Companion to Kierkegaard – A. Hannay & G. Marino
Why Read Marx Today? – Jonathan Wolff
Karl Marx: A Biography – David McLellan
The Cambridge Companion to Marx – Terrell Carver
The Communist Manifesto – Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels
Capital: Volume 1 – Karl Marx
The German Ideology – Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels
The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 – Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels
Simply Nietzsche – Peter Kail
Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist – Walter A. Kaufmann
The Oxford Handbook of Nietzsche – Gemes and Richardson
Nietzsche: A Philosophical Biography – Rüdiger Safranski
Basic Writings of Nietzsche – Friedrich Nietzsche
Beyond Good & Evil – Friedrich Nietzsche
On the Genealogy of Morality – Friedrich Nietzsche
The Gay Science – Friedrich Nietzsche
The Birth of Tragedy – Friedrich Nietzsche
Thus Spoke Zarathustra – Friedrich Nietzsche

William James

The Philosophy of William James: An Introduction – Richard M. Gale
William James: His Life and Thought – Gerald E Myers
Becoming William James – Howard M. Feinstein
The Cambridge Companion to William James – Ruth Anna Putnam
The Essential William James – William James
Pragmatism – William James
The Varieties of Religious Experience – William James
The Will to Believe – William James
Frege Explained – Joan Weiner
Frege: An Introduction to the Founder of Modern Analytic Philosophy – Anthony Kenny
Frege: Philosophy of Language – Michael Dummett
The Frege Reader – Michael Beaney
The Cambridge Companion to Frege – Tom Ricketts
Freud: A Very Short Introduction – Anthony Storr
Freud – Jonathan Lear
The Freud Reader – Peter Gay
The Cambridge Companion to Freud – Jerome Neu
The Interpretation of Dreams – Sigmund Freud
Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality – Sigmund Freud
Civilization and Its Discontents – Sigmund Freud
Husserl’s Phenomenology – Dan Zahavi
Husserl – David Woodruff Smith
The Cambridge Companion to Husserl – Barry Smith & David Woodruff Smith
The Essential Husserl: Basic Writings in Transcendental Phenomenology – Edmund Husserl
Ideas: General Introduction to Pure Phenomenology – Edmund Husserl
Logical Investigations – Edmund Husserl

Bertrand Russell

Russell: A Very Short Introduction – A. C. Grayling
Russell: A Guide for the Perplexed – John Ongley & Rosalind Carey
Bertrand Russell: The Spirit of Solitude – Ray Monk
The Cambridge Companion to Bertrand Russell – Nicholas Griffin
The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell – Bertrand Russell
The Problems of Philosophy – Bertrand Russell
Logic and Knowledge – Bertrand Russell
Sceptical Essays – Bertrand Russell

Wittgenstein

How to Read Wittgenstein – Ray Monk
Wittgenstein – William Child
Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of Genius – Ray Monk
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus – Ludwig Wittgenstein
Philosophical Investigations – Ludwig Wittgenstein
How to Read Heidegger – Mark Wrathall
Heidegger: A Very Short Introduction – Michael Inwood
Heidegger: An Introduction – Richard Polt
The Cambridge Companion to Heidegger – Charles B. Guignon
Basic Writings – Martin Heidegger
Basic Problems of Phenomenology – Martin Heidegger
Being and Time – Martin Heidegger
The Question Concerning Technology, and Other Essays – Martin Heidegger
How To Read Sartre – Robert Bernasconi
Sartre: A Philosophical Biography – Thomas R. Flynn
The Cambridge Companion to Sartre – Christina Howells
Jean-Paul Sartre: Basic Writings – Jean-Paul Sartre
Existentialism and Humanism – Jean-Paul Sartre
No Exit – Jean-Paul Sartre
Nausea – Jean-Paul Sartre
Being and Nothingness – Jean-Paul Sartre
Arendt: A Guide for the Perplexed – Karin A. Fry
Hannah Arendt: For Love of the World – Elisabeth Young-Bruehl
The Cambridge Companion to Hannah Arendt – Dana Villa
The Portable Hannah Arendt – Hannah Arendt
The Origins of Totalitarianism – Hannah Arendt
The Human Condition – Hannah Arendt
Eichmann in Jerusalem : A Report on the Banality of Evil – Hannah Arendt
Foucault: A Very Short Introduction – Gary Gutting
How to Read Foucault – Johanna Oksala
The Lives of Michel Foucault – David Macey
The Cambridge Companion to Foucault – Gary Gutting
The Foucault Reader – Paul Rabinow
Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison – Michel Foucault
The History of Sexuality – Michel Foucault

The Daily Idea aims to make learning about philosophy as easy as possible by bringing together the best philosophy resources from across the internet. To get started, check out this organized collection of 400+ articles, podcasts, and videos on a wide range of philosophical topics.

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How to Write a Philosophy Essay: Ultimate Guide

What Is a Philosophy Essay: Definition

Philosophical writing isn't your typical assignment. Its aim isn't to provide an overview of professional philosophers' works and say whether you agree with them.

Philosophy demands becoming a philosopher for the time of writing, thinking analytically and critically of ideas, pondering the Big Questions, and asking 'Why?'. That's why it requires time and energy, as well as a lot of thinking on your part.

But what is philosophy essay, exactly? If you're tasked with writing one, you'll have to select a thesis in the philosophical domain and argue for or against it. Then, you can support your thesis with other professional philosophers' works. But it has to contain your own philosophical contribution, too. (This is only one definition of philosophy essay, of course.)

What's a Good Philosophy Paper Outline?

Before you start writing your first line, you should make a philosophy essay outline. Think of it as a plan for your philosophy paper that briefly describes each paragraph's point.

As for how to write a philosophy essay outline, here are a few tips for you:

Start with your thesis. What will you be arguing for or against?
Read what philosophical theory has to say and note sources for your possible arguments and counterarguments.
Decide on the definitions of core concepts to include precise philosophical meanings in your essay.
After careful and extended reflection, organize your ideas following the structure below.

How To Structure a Philosophy Paper?

Like any other essay, a philosophy paper consists of an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. Sticking to this traditional philosophy essay structure will help you avoid unnecessary stress.

Here's your mini-guide on how to structure a philosophy essay:

Introduction - Clarify the question you will be answering in your philosophy paper. State your thesis – i.e., the answer you'll be arguing for. Explain general philosophical terms if needed.
Main body - Start with providing arguments for your stance and refute all the objections for each of them. Then, describe other possible answers and their reasoning – and counter the main arguments in their support.
Conclusion - Sum up all possible answers to the questions and reiterate why yours is the most viable one.

What's an Appropriate Philosophy Essay Length?

In our experience, 2,000 to 2,500 words are enough to cover the topic in-depth without compromising the quality of the writing.

However, see whether you have an assigned word limit before getting started. If it's shorter or longer than we recommend, stick to that word limit in writing your essay on philosophy.

What Format Should You Use for a Philosophy Paper?

As a philosophy and psychology essay writing service , we can attest that most students use the APA guidelines as their philosophy essay format. However, your school has the final say in what format you should stick to.

Sometimes, you can be asked to use a different college philosophy essay format, like MLA or Chicago. But if you're the one to choose the guidelines and don't know which one would be a good philosophy argumentative essay format, let's break down the most popular ones.

APA, MLA, and Chicago share some characteristics:

Font: Time New Roman, 12 pt
Line spacing: double
Margins: 1" (left and right)
Page number: in the header

But here's how they differ:

A title page required
Sources list: 'References' page
No title page required
Sources list: 'Works cited' page
Sources list: 'Bibliography' page
Footnotes and endnotes are required for citations

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Guideline on How to Write a Philosophy Essay

If you still don't feel that confident about writing a philosophy paper, don't worry. Philosophical questions, by definition, have more than one interpretation. That's what makes them so challenging to write about.

To help you out in your philosophical writing journey, we've prepared this list of seven tips on how to write a philosophy essay.

Read Your Sources Thoughtfully

Whether your recommended reading includes Dante's Divine Comedy or Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism Is a Humanism , approach your sources with curiosity and analytical thinking. Don't just mindlessly consume those texts. Instead, keep asking yourself questions while you're reading them, such as:

What concepts and questions does the author address?
What's the meaning behind key ideas and metaphors in the text?
What does the author use as a convincing argument?
Are there any strange or obscure distinctions?

As for which sources you should turn to, that all depends on your central question; philosophy topics for essay are diverse and sometimes opposed. So, you'll have to do your fair share of research.

Brainstorm & Organize Your Ideas

As you're reading those texts, jot down what comes to your mind. It can be a great quote you've stumbled upon, an idea for an argument, or your thoughtful, critical responses to certain opinions.

Then, sort through and organize all of those notes into an outline for your essay in philosophy. Make sure that it holds up in terms of logic. And ensure that your arguments and counterarguments are compelling, sensible, and convincing!

Now, you might be wondering how to write a philosophy essay introduction. Don't worry: there's an explanation right below!

Craft Your Introductory Paragraph

Think of your introduction as a road map preparing your reader for the journey your essay will take them on. This road map will describe the key 'stops' in your essay on philosophy: your topic, stance, and how you will argue for it – and refute other stances.

Don't hesitate to write it out as a step-by-step guide in the first or third person. For example: 'First, I will examine... Then, I will dispute... Finally, I will present….'

Need an example of an excellent introduction for a philosophy paper? You’ll be thrilled to know that we have one of our philosophy essay examples below!

Present Your Key Arguments & Reflections

Philosophy papers require a fair share of expository writing. This is where you demonstrate your understanding of the topic. So, make your exposition extensive and in-depth, and don't omit anything crucial.

As for the rest of the main body, we've covered how to structure a philosophy essay above. In short, you'll need to present supporting arguments, anticipate objections, and address them.

Use your own words when writing a philosophy paper; avoid pretentious or verbose language. Yes, some technical philosophical terms may be necessary. But the point of a philosophical paper is to present your stance – and develop your own philosophy – on the topic.

Don't Shy Away from Critical Ideas

Whenever you examine a philosophical theory or text, treat it with a fair share of criticism. This is what it means in practice – and how to structure a philosophy essay around your critical ideas:

Pinpoint what the theory's or idea's strengths are and every valid argument in its support;
See the scope of its application – perhaps, there are exceptions you can use as counterarguments;
Research someone else's criticism of the theory or idea. Develop your own criticism, as well;
Check if the philosopher already addressed those criticisms.
Ponder Possible Answers to Philosophical Questions

Writing an essay in philosophy is, in fact, easier for some students as the topic can always have multiple answers, and you can choose any of them. However, this can represent an even tougher challenge for other students. After all, you must consider those possible answers and address them in the paper.

How do you pinpoint those possible answers? Some of them can come to your mind when you brainstorm, especially if you'll be writing about one of the Big Questions. Others will reveal themselves when you start reading other philosophers' works.

Remember to have arguments for and against each possible answer and address objections.

Write a Powerful Conclusion

The conclusion is where you sum up your paper in just one paragraph. Reiterate your thesis and what arguments support it. But in philosophical writing, you can rarely have a clear, undebatable answer by the end of the paper. So, it's fine if your conclusion doesn't have a definitive verdict.

Here are a few tips on how to write a conclusion in a philosophy essay:

Don't introduce new arguments or evidence in conclusion – they belong in the main body;
Avoid overestimating or embellishing the level or value of your work;
Best conclusions are obvious and logical for those reading the paper – i.e.; a conclusion shouldn't be surprising at all;
Stay away from poorly explained claims in conclusion.

Philosophical Essay Example

Sometimes, it's better to see how it's done once than to read a thousand guides. We know that like no one else, so we have prepared this short philosophy essay example to show you what excellent philosophy papers look like:

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30 Philosophy Paper Topic Ideas

Philosophical writing concerns questions that don't have clear-cut yes or no answers. So, coming up with philosophy essay topics yourself can be tough.

Fret not: we've put together this list of 30 topics for philosophy papers on ethics and leadership for you. Feel free to use them as-is or tweak them!

15 Ethics Philosophy Essay Topics

Ethics deals with the question of right and wrong. So, if you're looking for philosophy essay topic ideas, ethics concerns some of the most interesting – and most mind-boggling – questions about human behavior.

Here are 15 compelling philosophy essay topics ethics has to offer you:

Is starting a war always morally wrong?
Would it be right to legalize euthanasia?
What is more important: the right to privacy or national security?
Is justice always fair?
Should nuclear weapons be banned?
Should teenagers be allowed to get plastic surgery?
Can cheating be justifiable?
Can AI algorithms behave ethically?
Should you abide by an unfair law?
Should voting become mandatory?
When can the right to freedom of speech be limited?
Is it the consumers' responsibility to fight climate by changing their buying decisions?
Is getting an abortion immoral?
Should we give animals their own rights?
Would human gene editing be immoral?

15 Leadership Philosophy Essay Topics

You're lucky if you're tasked with writing a leadership philosophy essay! We've compiled this list of 15 fresh, unconventional topics for you:

Is formal leadership necessary for ensuring the team's productivity?
Can authoritative leadership be ethical?
How do informal leaders take on this role?
Should there be affirmative action for formal leadership roles?
Is it possible to measure leadership?
What's the most important trait of a leader?
Is leadership an innate talent or an acquired skill?
Should leadership mean holding power over others?
Can a team function without a leader?
Should you follow a leader no matter what?
Is leader succession necessary? Why?
Are leadership and power the same?
Can we consider influencers contemporary leaders?
Why do people follow leaders?
What leadership style is the most ethical one?

7 Helpful Tips on Crafting a Philosophical Essay

Still, feeling stuck writing a philosophical essay? Here are seven more tips on crafting a good philosophy paper that can help you get unstuck:

Write the way you would talk about the subject. This will help you avoid overly convoluted, poor writing by using more straightforward prose with familiar words.
Don't focus on having a definitive answer by the end of your philosophical essay if your conclusion states that the question should be clarified further or that there are multiple answers.
You don't have to answer every question you raise in the paper. Even professional philosophers sometimes don't have all the answers.
Get straight to the point at the start of your paper. No need to warm up the reader – and inflate your word count.
Avoid using quotes. Instead, explain the author's point in your own words. But if you feel it's better to use a direct quote, explicitly state how it ties to your argument after it.
Write in the first person unless your assignment requires you to use the third person.
Start working on your philosophical essay well in advance. However much time you think you'll need, double it!

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Philosophy Writing

Sometimes, knowing what you shouldn't do in a philosophical essay is also helpful. Here are seven common mistakes that often bring down students' grades – but are easily avoidable:

Appealing to authority – in philosophy, strive to develop your own stance instead;
Using convoluted sentences to appear more intelligent – instead, use simpler ways to deliver the same meaning;
Including interesting or important material without tying it to your point – every piece of evidence and every idea should explicitly support your arguments or counterarguments;
Inflating your word count without delivering value – in the writing process, it's crucial to 'kill your darlings';
Making poorly explained claims – explicitly present reasons for or against every claim you include;
Leaving core concepts undefined – explain what you mean by the words like 'free will' or 'existentialism' in the introduction;
Worrying about being wrong – no one can be proven wrong in philosophy!

Realize that your draft contains those mistakes, and it's too late to fix them? Then, let us help you out! Whether you ask us, 'Fix my paper' or ' Write my paper from scratch,' our philosophy writers will deliver an excellent paper worth the top grade. And no, it won't cost you a fortune!

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How to Write a Policy Analysis Paper Step-by-Step

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Philosophical Essays: From Ancient Creed to Technological Man

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Philosophy Paper Format: Guide How to Write a Philosophical Essay

Philosophy Paper Format

Writing a philosophical essay is a journey into ideas where critical thinking and eloquent expression converge.

This guide will navigate you through the intricacies of philosophical paper format, helping you articulate your thoughts coherently, develop compelling arguments, and explore profound concepts.

Whether you are a novice philosopher or a seasoned thinker, this guide will assist you in crafting an essay that engages readers in philosophical discourse. Read on.

Writing a philosophy paper is an intellectual endeavor that requires precision, critical thinking, and the ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity.

Whether you’re a student delving into philosophical discourse or a philosopher refining your thoughts, understanding the suitable format is essential.

We present a comprehensive guide to help you structure and compose philosophical essays effectively.

Introduction

Begin with a concise and engaging introduction that presents the central problem or question you will address.

Provide context for the issue and outline your thesis or argument.

Background and Context

Offer relevant historical, philosophical, or cultural context to help readers understand the problem’s significance.

Summarize critical theories or ideas related to the topic.

Thesis Statement

Present a clear, concise, and arguable thesis statement that encapsulates your main argument or position.

Argumentation

Develop your argument logically and coherently, providing evidence, reasoning, and examples.

Anticipate and respond to potential counterarguments.

Critical Analysis

Engage in critically analyzing concepts, theories, or arguments related to your topic.

Use philosophical tools like logic, ethics, and epistemology to evaluate ideas.

Structured Paragraphs

Organize your essay into well-structured paragraphs , each focused on a specific point or idea.

Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs.

Clarity and Precision

Write in clear, concise, and precise language, avoiding jargon or overly complex terminology.

Define terms when necessary.

Summarize your main arguments and restate your thesis in light of the evidence presented.

Reflect on the broader implications of your findings.

Citations and References

Properly cite all sources, adhering to a recognized citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, and Chicago).

Include a bibliography or reference list.

Revision and Proofreading

Revise your essay for clarity, coherence, and logical flow. Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Writing a philosophy paper can be challenging, but with a clear understanding of the format and a commitment to rigorous thinking, you can craft essays that engage readers in profound philosophical discussions.

Remember that philosophy is about exploration, inquiry, and the pursuit of wisdom, and your essays contribute to this timeless quest.

How to Write a Philosophical Essay

Philosophical essays are a unique form of writing that invites readers to engage deeply with profound questions, challenge assumptions, and explore the complexities of human thought.

Whether you are a student tackling a philosophical assignment or a seasoned philosopher contributing to the ongoing discourse, crafting a philosophical essay follows a distinct path.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this intellectual journey.

1. Choose a Thoughtful Topic

Selecting a thoughtful topic is the initial step in crafting a compelling philosophical essay. It involves choosing a question, problem, or concept that piques your interest and possesses philosophical depth and relevance.

A thoughtful topic should be open to philosophical analysis, inviting critical examination and exploration.

It should inspire contemplation and reflection, and ideally, it connects to broader philosophical themes or debates.

Choosing such a topic sets the stage for meaningful philosophical discourse and ensures that your essay addresses issues that matter deeply within philosophy, fostering engagement and thought-provoking discussions.

2. Thorough Research

Thorough research is the cornerstone of a well-crafted philosophical essay.

It involves delving deep into the philosophical question or problem you’re exploring, immersing yourself in the relevant literature, and comprehensively understanding your topic’s historical, cultural, and philosophical context.

Through research, you gain insights into various philosophical perspectives, theories, and arguments related to your subject.

Also, this knowledge enriches your understanding and equips you to engage in critical analysis and construct well-supported arguments.

In essence, thorough research lays the foundation for a thoughtful and informed exploration of complex philosophical concepts.

3. Formulate a Clear Thesis

Develop a concise, arguable thesis statement encapsulating your main argument or perspective on the chosen topic.

Ensure your thesis is specific, debatable, and addresses the central issue.

4. Structured Introduction

Begin your essay with an engaging introduction that provides context for your topic and outlines the questions or problems you will address.

Present your thesis statement to guide readers.

5. Elaborate on Your Thesis

Use the body of your essay to present and elaborate on your thesis. Organize your ideas logically and coherently.

Each paragraph should focus on your thesis’s specific point or argument.

6. Critical Analysis

Engage in critical analysis by evaluating and assessing your topic’s concepts, theories, or arguments.

Use philosophical tools and methods, such as logic, ethics, or epistemology, to examine and critique ideas.

7. Present Evidence and Examples

Support your arguments with evidence, examples, and references to relevant philosophical works.

Use concrete illustrations to elucidate complex concepts.

8. Address Counterarguments

Acknowledge potential counterarguments and address them fairly and rigorously.

Demonstrating an understanding of opposing viewpoints strengthens your argument.

9. Clarity and Precision

Write in clear, concise, and precise language. Avoid jargon or overly complex terminology that may obscure your message.

Define terms when necessary to ensure clarity.

10. Structured Conclusion

Reflect on the broader implications of your findings or the unresolved questions your essay raises.

11. Citations and References

Include a bibliography or reference list to acknowledge your sources.

12. Revision and Proofreading

Revise your essay for clarity, coherence, and logical flow. Ensure each paragraph contributes to the overall argument. Proofread meticulously for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Writing a philosophical essay is about conveying information and inviting readers to engage in profound and critical thinking.

It is a dialogue with the great philosophical minds of the past and an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing conversation about the fundamental questions that shape our understanding of existence, ethics, knowledge, and reality.

As you follow this guide and embrace the spirit of philosophical inquiry, you can craft essays that inspire contemplation and meaningful discourse.

Philosophy Paper Topic Examples

These topics span various branches of philosophy and offer opportunities for in-depth exploration, critical analysis, and engaging philosophical discourse.

When selecting a topic, consider your interests, the philosophical questions that resonate with you, and the potential for meaningful philosophical inquiry.

Choosing the right philosophy paper topic can be both exhilarating and challenging. Here are some diverse examples to inspire your philosophical exploration:

The Trolley Problem: Exploring Moral Dilemma
The Ethics of AI : Can Machines Possess Moral Responsibility?
The Nature of Time: A Philosophical Investigation
Are Universals Real or Conceptual?
The Gettier Problem: Reevaluating Justified True Belief
The Role of Intuition in Philosophical Inquiry
Social Contract Theory: Rousseau vs. Hobbes
Liberty vs. Security: The Ethics of Surveillance
The Mind-Body Problem: Dualism vs. Materialism
Consciousness and the Hard Problem: Can It Be Solved?
The Subjectivity of Art: Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder?
The Ethics of Artistic Expression: Balancing Freedom and Responsibility
Jean-Paul Sartre’s Existentialism: Freedom and Responsibility
The Absurdity of Life: Camus and the Myth of Sisyphus
Deep Ecology: Intrinsic Value of Nature
Anthropocentrism vs. Biocentrism: Shifting Perspectives on Nature
The Problem of Evil: Can God and Suffering Coexist?
Faith and Reason: The Intersection of Science and Religion
Ethical Dilemmas in Genetic Engineering
End-of-Life Ethics: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide”

Josh Jasen or JJ as we fondly call him, is a senior academic editor at Grade Bees in charge of the writing department. When not managing complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In his spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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Writing Philosophy: A Student's Guide to Writing Philosophy Essays

Writing Philosophy is a brief tutorial/manual that covers the basics of argumentative essay writing and encourages students to master fundamental writing skills with minimal teacher input. It provides step-by-step instructions for each phase of the writing process, from formulating a thesis and creating an outline, to writing a final draft. For the benefit of both students and teachers, it uses a rulebook format that encapsulates core principles of good writing while providing models of well-written essays, outlines, introductions, and conclusions.

Related Papers

Brian D. Earp

I wrote up the following tips a couple of years ago when I was teaching assistant for an introductory philosophy class at Yale led by Daniel Greco called “Problems in Philosophy.” The tips were intended, then, for college students, many of them right out of high school, and most of whom had never written a philosophy paper before. So the focus is on clarity and mastering the basics. With that in mind, I hope you will find these tips helpful for teaching or writing in philosophy (or any other relevant field or discipline).

The Philosophical Quarterly

Carla Bagnoli

Benjamin P. Davis

I wrote this "tip sheet" for philosophical writing a la other tip sheets passed around in creative writing workshops. I invite feedback on what has worked for your students and how you might modify my suggestions.

South African Journal of Philosophy

Ewa Latecka

This article aims at presenting the argument for the modification of Dennis Earl’s “four-sentence paper” template into the “six-line essay” writing intervention. The underlying reason for this research is a relative paucity of literature covering the topic of philosophy writing interventions at a beginner’s level. In order to fill this gap, the article takes the following course. For general background, it presents the general views on teaching essay writing and the relative unavailability of philosophydirected methods and techniques. It then describes Earl’s template in relative detail. Further, it refers to my experience teaching philosophical writing to University of Zululand students. Next, it describes the specific group of students with whom I first tried the method in 2019 and whose needs prompted the modifications. I then explain the “six-line essay” model step by step, commenting on the rationale behind each step and the way in which it is presented to students. True to form, the article also presents objections and the relevant counterarguments. Finally, the article points to the possibility of further, more structured research, with formal questionnaires/ structured interviews and their subsequent analysis.

tilahun guade

IJOLTL: Indonesian Journal of Language Teaching and Linguistics

Assessment of essay writing varies in product oriented, primary trait scoring system, and process oriented. This study examines how rubric in argumentative essay writing are developed. The findings emphasized that essay writing focused on the argumentative essay. Models of essay utilized for TOEFL test are considerably suggested for the topics. In addition, descriptors of the essay elaborated for standard assessment refer to characteristics of a good paragraph outlining: topic sentence and controlling ideas, developing sentences, and concluding sentence; and those for essay writing would emphasize on introductory paragraph whose thesis statement is included in the paragraph, developing paragraphs for details, and concluding paragraph.

Eduscience Journal

Fuad Abdullah , Fuad Abdullah

Since argumentative writing skills play an indispensable role in higher educational contexts, the students are required to produce academic works representing their academic insights and critical perspectives towards problematized issues around them. Conversely, the students may frequently encounter intricacies while applying complicated syntactic forms and proper aspects during writing Discussion essays as one of the argumentative writing genres. For this reason, the current study aimed at exploring how Talk-Write technique facilitates the students in writing Discussion essays. This study involved 30 EFL students and an experienced writing teacher at a university in Indonesia. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis following the notions of Talk-Write (Meyers, 1985; Ling, 1986; Radcliffe: Crasnich & Lumbelli, 2005). The findings indicated that Talk-Write technique enables the students to produce the Discussion essays. Besides, it stimulated them to speak actively in English while negotiating ideas, exchanging debatable arguments and positioning stance and voice. Briefly, Talk-Write technique can facilitate the students in exchanging vocal to scribal dialogue, gaining pivotal and desired ideas and fostering professional competencies as the talkers and the writers and personal styles.

Journal of English for Academic Purposes

Ursula Wingate

Journal of Writing Research

Montserrat Castello

This study investigated students' practice of philosophical thinking through collaborative writing in secondary education. A philosophy course was developed following the rationale of the learning communities in which writing was used as an epistemic tool. 45 students organized into 13 teams participated in the course. In this study, a subsample of six students working in 2 teams during one collaborative argumentative writing activity were analyzed. These groups were selected on the basis of their output (high and medium quality) and because both followed an integrating construction strategy for collaborative writing. Data collected included audio, video and computer screen recordings of both groups' discourse and writing activity during collaborative writing (using Camtasia and Atlas-ti software). Analysis focused on collaborative writing interaction (types of talk; evidence of philosophical competences - problematization, argumentation and conceptualization; regulation of ...

Shazna Abu Bakar , Aysha Sharif

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The Next Frontier? Philosophy in Space.

An illustration of a human being on Earth, looking at a row of white planets.

By Joseph O. Chapa

Dr. Chapa is a U.S. Air Force officer and the author of “Is Remote Warfare Moral?”

The window to apply to be a NASA astronaut — a window that opens only about every four years — closes this month, on April 16. Though I’ve submitted an application, I don’t expect to make the cut.

The educational requirements for the astronaut program are clear: Applicants must possess at least a master’s degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), a doctorate in medicine or a test pilot school graduate patch. Though I have a Ph.D., it’s in philosophy. (And though I’m an Air Force pilot, I’m not a test pilot.)

I hesitate to tell NASA its business. But I think its requirements are closing the astronaut program off from important insights from the humanities and social sciences.

Of course, the requirement for astronauts to have technical training makes some intuitive sense. NASA was founded in 1958 “to provide for research into problems of flight within and outside the earth’s atmosphere.” Who better to solve flight problems than scientists and engineers? What’s more, NASA’s space missions have long conducted science experiments to learn how plant and animal life behaves in the far-flung emptiness between us and the moon.

But the need for STEM in space might be waning — just as the need for humanities and the social sciences waxes. After all, the “problems of flight” that once tethered us to this planet have largely been solved, thanks in no small part to all those scientist and engineer astronauts who blazed the trail to space.

By contrast, the future of our relationship with the cosmos — a colony on the moon? Humans on Mars? Contact with intelligent alien life? — will require thoughtful inquiry from many disciplines. We will need sociologists and anthropologists to help us imagine new communities; theologians and linguists if we find we are not alone in the universe; political and legal theorists to sort out the governing principles of interstellar life.

Naturally, some scholars can study these topics while still earthbound. But so can many of today’s astronauts, who often end up working on projects unrelated to their academic training. The idea behind sending people with a wider array of academic disciplines into the cosmos is not just to give scholars a taste of outer space, but also to put them in fruitful conversation with one another.

My own discipline, philosophy, may be better suited for this kind of exploration than some might think. To be sure, much philosophy can be done from an armchair. Descartes arrived at his famous conclusion, “I think, therefore, I am,” while warming himself by the fire and, as he noted, “wearing a winter dressing gown.”

But some of the greatest philosophical breakthroughs occurred only because their authors had firsthand experience with extreme and uncomfortable conditions. We might not have the Stoic philosophy of Epictetus had he not faced the hardship of slavery in Nero’s court. We might not have Thomas Hobbes’s “Leviathan” (and his principle of the “consent of the governed,” so central to the American experiment), but for his flight from the English Civil War. And we might not have Hannah Arendt’s insights on the “banality of evil” had she not attended the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a chief architect of the Holocaust.

Not all philosophers who want to learn what it means to be human in this vast and expanding universe need to experience living in space. But perhaps some of us should.

Throughout the history of Western philosophy, space has often served as stand-in for life’s deepest truths. Plato thought that the things of this world were mere images of true reality, and that true reality existed in the heavens beyond. What inspired admiration and awe in Immanuel Kant was not just the moral law within all of us but also the “starry heavens above.” The Platos and Kants of today are in a position to take a much closer look at those very heavens.

In general, the work of philosophy is to ask, “And suppose this proposition is right, what then?” When faced with a proposition — say, “The mind and body are separable,” or “One must always act to achieve the greatest happiness for the greatest number” — the philosopher takes another step and asks, “What are the implications of such a view?”

Though Earth has been our only home, it may not be our home forever. What are the implications of that proposition? What might that mean for our conception of nationhood? Of community? Of ourselves and our place in the world? This would be the work of space philosophers.

These days, unfortunately, the prestige of STEM continues to eclipse that of the social sciences and humanities. It seems unlikely that NASA will buck this trend.

That would be bad news for me, personally — but I think also for humanity at large. One day we may all echo Jodie Foster’s character in the sci-fi movie “Contact . ” When the mysteries of space-time were unfurled before her, all she could manage to say was, “They should have sent a poet.”

Joseph O. Chapa ( @JosephOChapa ) is a U.S. Air Force officer and the author of “Is Remote Warfare Moral?”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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"Professional philosophy can seem abstract, esoteric, and hyper-specialized. But we all ask and try to answer philosophical questions myriad times daily: philosophy is the purview not just of the expert, but of all thoughtful people. 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology is an open-access journal of philosophy. Its essays are introductions rather than argumentative articles.
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PhilPapers is a comprehensive index and bibliography of philosophy maintained by the community of philosophers. We monitor all sources of research content in philosophy, including journals, books, and open access archives.We also host the largest open access archive in philosophy.Our index currently contains 2,852,356 entries categorized in 5,903 categories.
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A philosophy professor tasked with teaching the required proseminar for incoming graduate students has a question for Daily Nous readers. He writes: This fall I'm again teaching the mandatory proseminar for incoming graduate students, and so once again I'm wondering: what essays should all philosophy students read? It would be helpful to know if other people
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What follows is a top 10 list of the things I wish I had known when I started reading philosophy. (1) There is no such thing as reading without qualification. Instead there is reading as a philosopher, historian, cartographer, journalist, and so on. Even within a discipline there is no single way to read. In part, this is because there are many ...
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1. Identify the general problem or issue that the author is discussing. 2. Identify the specific theses or conclusions (the solution or view) that the author intends to argue for or defend. Usually philosophers will indicate early on in an article the general issue they are discussing and the specific position they aim to defend.
Philosophical Essays : Bertrand Russell : Free Download, Borrow, and
LibriVox recording of Philosophical Essays by Bertrand Russell. Read in English by Landon D. C. Elkind Six out of seven essays appearing here were reprinted from other publications; indeed, this 1910 collection went out of print, so that two of the essays occurring here were reprinted in Russell's 1917 "Mysticism and Logic, and Other Essays".
Philosophical essays : Russell, Bertrand, 1872-1970 : Free Download
Philosophical essays by Russell, Bertrand, 1872-1970. Publication date 1910 Topics Philosophy Publisher London ; New York : Longmans, Green Collection cdl; americana Contributor University of California Libraries Language English. vi, 185 p. ; 24 cm Addeddate 2008-08-15 17:01:04 Call number
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This short book, written by recent Cambridge PhD students, is designed to introduce students to the process of writing an essay in philosophy. Containing many annotated examples, this guide demonstrates some of the Do's and Don'ts of essay writing, with particular attention paid to the early stages of the writing process (including the creation ...
A collection of over 120 philosophy reading lists organised by topic
Eros, Agape, and Philia: Readings in the Philosophy of Love - Alan Soble. The Routledge Handbook of Love in Philosophy - Adrienne Martin. Lysis, Symposium, Phaedrus, Alcibiades, with Selections from Republic and Laws - Plato. Nicomachean Ethics - Aristotle. The Art of Loving - Erich Fromm.
Tackling the Philosophy Essay Guide
phil-essay-guide.pdf. The Faculty of Philosophy is looking forward to welcoming Jo Farmer as the new Faculty Manager from June 2024. 22nd Mar 2024. The Faculty of Philosophy is delighted to announce that Dr Owen Griffiths will be joining the Faculty in September 2024 as Assistant Professor in Philosophy. 22nd Mar 2024.
PDF A Brief Guide to Writing the Philosophy Paper
the satisfactions of philosophy are often derived from, ﬁrst, discovering and explicating how they are logically connected to the Big Questions, and second, constructing and defending philosophical arguments to answer them in turn. Good philosophy proceeds with modest, careful and clear steps. Structuring a Philosophy Paper
Philosophy Essays Books
avg rating 3.96 — 486,557 ratings — published -400. Books shelved as philosophy-essays: The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays by Albert Camus, The Republic by Plato, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, The Myt...
Philosophy Essays
A Possibility of Peace in the State of Nature. Example essay. Last modified: 29th Oct 2021. This paper disagrees with Raymond Aron's statement that implies that since the state of nature is one of anarchy, it is essential that statesmen prioritize their interests when engaging in international affairs, to ensure the survival of the state....
What are your favorite short philosophical essays or stories?
Montaigne's Essays. Against Narrativity - an Essay by Galen Strawson I also like Charlie Huenemann's essays on Nietzsche. There's so much available I'm not sure what to point you to. It really depends on your interests and whether you're looking historical or contemporary. It also depends on your definition of philosophy.
Philosophy Essay Ultimate Guide
To help you out in your philosophical writing journey, we've prepared this list of seven tips on how to write a philosophy essay. Read Your Sources Thoughtfully Whether your recommended reading includes Dante's Divine Comedy or Jean-Paul Sartre's Existentialism Is a Humanism , approach your sources with curiosity and analytical thinking.
Philosophical Essays: From Ancient Creed to Technological Man
The temporally ultimate project is that which Jonas sees as having philosophical priority. This collection of 18 essays originally published between 1965 and 1974 - that is, after completion of The Phenomenon of Life (1966) but before The Imperative of Responsibility (1984) - manifests the most intensive integration of Jonas's three projects.
Top 200+ Philosophy Essay Topics and Ideas
The Philosophy of Education: Purpose and Approach. The Concept of Liberty in Political Philosophy. The Ethics of Care: A Challenge to Traditional Moral Theories. The Philosophy of Art: Aesthetics and Meaning. The Notion of Self in Eastern and Western Philosophies. The Ethics of Animal Rights and Welfare.
Philosophy Paper Format: Guide How to Write a Philosophical Essay
1. Choose a Thoughtful Topic. Selecting a thoughtful topic is the initial step in crafting a compelling philosophical essay. It involves choosing a question, problem, or concept that piques your interest and possesses philosophical depth and relevance. A thoughtful topic should be open to philosophical analysis, inviting critical examination ...
Writing Philosophy: A Student's Guide to Writing Philosophy Essays
As a result, Vaughn's book is highly complementary to this earlier classic.`Writing Philosophy' begins by describing how to read philosophy, which is quite different than how one reads fiction. A key point made here is that it is common to have to read sections in a philosophy paper more than once in order to understand the conclusions.
Opinion
Here are some tips. And here's our email: [email protected]. Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, X and Threads. A version of this article ...

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A collection of over 120 philosophy reading lists organised by topic

Introductions to Philosophy

Epistemology

Animal Ethics

Applied Ethics

Consequentialism

Deontological Ethics

Effective Altruism

Environmental Ethics

Meaning of Life

Moral Psychology

Utilitarianism

Virtue Ethics

Metaphysics

Philosophy of Mind

Personal Identity

Political Philosophy

Conservatism

Critical Theory

Global Justice

Human Rights

Libertarianism

African Philosophy

Chinese Philosophy

Indian Philosophy

Islamic Philosophy

Other Topics

Analytic Philosophy

Ancient Greek Philosophy

Philosophy of Biology

Buddhist Philosophy

Confuciusianism

Continental Philosophy

Critical Thinking

Decision Theory

Philosophy of Economics

Philosophy of Education

Philosophy of Emotion

The Enlightenment

Existentialism

Feminist Philosophy

Philosophy of Film

Philosophy of Gender

History of Philosophy

Philosophy of History