When we hear the word philosopher, we tend to think of ancient greeks like socrates or plato, or perhaps the frenchman rene descartes, or maybe infamous germans like karl marx or friedrich nietzsche. But recently, we have been pondering what are the absolute most important philosophy books ever written. Most influential philosophy books 43 books goodreads. In both cases, it is the religious and spiritual realms that have exerted the most influence with political philosophy. Watkins spiritual 100 list for 2019 watkins mind body. The history of thought from ancient times to today 1998 is a book of intellectual history written by martin seymoursmith, a british poet, critic, and biographer.
This book includes two of friedrich nietzsches greatest works, his first and last ones published. It was to identify the 100 most influential books ever written. And, from what we can tell, they got a good response. Nietzsches thus spoke zarathustra is definitely the most inspirational book ive ever made. Although his aspirations did not pan out the way he intended, the effects of his philosophy shaped the world and the future of many countries, making it one of the most influential books in history. This is, in my view, the greatest philosophical book ever written. The best books on confucius recommended by daniel a. Previous 10 inspiring true story books everyone must read. One of the greatest works of early 20th century philosophy, bertrand russells 1912 book is an introduction to his line of thinking and to. We are delighted to share with you watkins 2019 list of the 100 most spiritually influential living people spiritual teachers, activists, authors and thinkers that change the world. Descartes advocated an almost scientific approach to philosophy where the world at large could only be proved by reasoning and deduction based on what was observed.
The 100 most influential books ever written letters republic. In april 2003 the bbc s big read began the search for the nations bestloved novel, and we asked you to nominate your favourite books. This guide includes the best philosophy books from throughout history. The best philosophy books five books expert recommendations. The essential guide to the top twenty greatest books in philosophy for those who have just never quite found the time to read them. Being and time by martin heidegger, the republic by plato, critique of pure reason by immanuel kant. Lucretius didactic poem is a literary masterpiece, which includes such riveting passages as an ode to venus and a description of the plague in athens. The 100 most influential philosophical works show list info from ancient greece to modern day india, here is a compiled list of the most influential philosophical writings of our time.
Listed in the top ten of the most influential philosophers of the past 200 years in a recent. Most famous philosophers list of famous philosophers in. Lewis responded with ten titles, ranging from virgils aeneid to james boswells the life of samuel johnson and from george herberts the temple to boethiuss the consolation of philosophy. Some of her works include the life of the mind, some questions on moral philosophy, and the human condition, which is considered her most influential work. Being and time by martin heidegger, the republic by plato, critique of pure reason by immanuel kant, metaphysics by aristotle. Here are the 50 most influential living philosophers, actively. What have been the most influential philosophy books in your life. The structure is similar to the the 100 most influential people as is the content. Library of congress picks its 88 most influential books. The publications on this list are regarded as important because they have served or are serving as one or more of the. Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance robert m. Alasdair mcintyres after virtue 1981, last edition 2007 is one of the 20 th centurys most important works of moral philosophy, critiquing the rationalism and irrationalism that pervade modern moral discourse. For world philosophy day 2018, we asked expert philosophers to. We are delighted to share with you watkins 2020 list of the 100 most spiritually influential living people spiritual teachers, activists, authors and thinkers that change the world.
Their ideas, such as i think, therefore i am, have become lasting certitudes, which have influenced important areas of life including art, education, politics, and government. Most commonly described as the father of modern philosophy, descartes was a french thinker who lived from 1596 to 1650. Another multitasker of a philosopher, saul kripke is an american philosopher, currently emeritus professor at princeton university, who has spread his wings across philosophy of language, logic, philosophy of mathematics, metaphysics, and epistemology. More than 10,000 people participated in the survey, identifying over 200 individuals whom they deemed most influential within the libertarian sphere. The most important philosophy books ever written the. What have been the most influential philosophy books in. The web site demasiado aire recently asked some of the worlds most important philosophers which three books influenced them the most while undergraduate students. Ursula coope is professor of ancient philosophy at university of oxford, keble college. The 100 most influential books ever written by martin seymoursmith published in 1998 the 100 most influential books ever written is a recent addition to the letters republic project, brought in because it affirms important early works of the bce and early common era, particularly fundamental religious and philosophical texts that were undervalued by other great books. Ive asked this question on the catholic sub as well, and im interested in what philosophy books have been most influential in your life and also your faith. Some will even become a source of inspiration for the rest of your life. The history of thought from ancient times to today 1998 is a book of intellectual history written by martin seymoursmith 19281998, a.
One of the most influential books ever written, the art of war has applications in business, the military. The unbearable heaviness of philosophy made lighter. Influential philosophers thus seem to populate the past. The 100 most influential books ever written by martin seymoursmith. Ive gotten emails from people who complain that there are too many religious books on the list. The library of congress has opened an exhibition this week celebrating books that shaped america, a display of 88 books that theyve deemed to have the most influence on american culture. The history of thought from ancient times to today. The most important philosophy books ever written the reading lists. From don quixote to american pastoral, take a look at the 100 greatest novels of all time the 100 greatest nonfiction books the 2015 version of the 100 best novels. He is the series editor of a translation series by princeton university press that aims to translate the most influential and original works of. Earlier this year, random house announced that it would release a list.
Our first effort to rank the 100 most influential libertarians came from a recent survey of libertarians carried out by freedomfest, the worlds largest gathering of free minds. The mind s amazing ability of cogitation is encapsulated in the works of our great philosophers. From a seemingly infinite list of books of anecdotal or literal merit, we have narrowed down the top 100 books that have shaped the lives of individual men while also helping define broader cultural ideas of what it means to be a man. With many books published to her name, butler is probably most famous for her. The 100 most influential books ever written by martin. The publications on this list are regarded as important because they have served or are serving as one or more of the following roles. The best philosophy books of all time updated for 2020. Ray monks top 10 philosophy books of the 20th century books.
Lewiss answer to the question, what books did most to shape your vocational attitude and your philosophy of life. About the twenty greatest philosophy books the essential guide to the top twenty greatest books in philosophy for those who have just never quite found the time to read them. The 100 most influential philosophers of all time download. Watkins spiritual 100 list for 2020 watkins mind body. Leading philosophers conduct a rational investigation of truth to arrive at a set of principles that others believe and adopt. Presents an introduction to the worlds most influential philosophers, with a brief summary of their lives and teachings, from the early philosophers of the greek era up to the major philosophers of the twentieth century. Below and on the next page are all the results from number 1. List of important publications in philosophy wikipedia. A premature attempt at the 21st century canon a panel of critics tells us what belongs on a list of the 100 most important books of the 2000s so far.
Say what you want, but you cannot deny that religion has been influential in human history. In this witty and engaging book, james garvey offers an introductory account of the mustread books from the whole history of philosophical writing. The 10 most influential books ever written why to read. Les cent livres du siecle is a list of the one hundred best books of the 20th century, according to a poll conducted in the spring of 1999 by the french retailer fnac and the paris newspaper le monde. The guardians 100 best nonfiction books of alltime. Ray monk is professor of philosophy at the university of southampton and is the author of ludwig wittgenstein. Weve had the pleasure of interviewing some of the worlds leading philosophers, and there has been a subsequent plethora of book recommendations. As a writer of philosophical works and lecturer on the topic, arendt is one of the better known female philosophers of her time. The political science books top 100 list presents the best works of political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and public law. The ghost of madness 19211970, focuses on russells relationship with his son, john. The 100 most influential books ever written 181 books. Ray monks top 10 philosophy books of the 20th century.
The list has a strong focus on political theory, as you might expect, and therefore includes mostly books on politics, liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of the law by the. Below, weve chosen and compiled 31 of the most influential business books of all time, from the lean startup by eric ries to the wealth of nations by adam smith. Leading philosophers conduct a rational investigation of truth to arrive at a set of principles that others. This is a list of important publications in philosophy, organized by field. When it comes to the most important philosophy books, the foundational book for the entire spectrum of moral philosophies known as virtue ethics. The 100 most influential philosophers is only valuable to a sixth or seventhgrade reader wanting to get an idea of what philosophers are out there, though a twominute internet search will yield as good a list and better.