Here is a list of the best Beginner Philosophy books, some I have read myself, some that I did research on, and all have great reviews!
1. The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained (2017)
Explore the history and concepts of philosophy, from the big thinkers to complex theories, with straightforward text and witty illustrations that demystify an often daunting subject matter. Now in paperback.Are the ideas of René Descartes, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Locke, and Thomas Hobbes still relevant today? The Philosophy Book unpacks the writings and ideas of more than 100 of history’s well-known philosophers, taking you on a journey from ancient Greece to modern day. Explore feminism, rationalism, idealism, existentialism, and other influential movements in the world of…
2. Philosophy For Beginners (2007)
Why does philosophy give some people a headache, others a real buzz, and yet others a feeling that it is subversive and dangerous? Why do a lot of people think philosophy is totally irrelevant? What is philosophy anyway?The ABCs of philosophy – easy to understand but never simplistic.Beginning with basic questions posed by the ancient Greeks – What is the world made of? What is a man? What is knowledge? What is good and evil? – Philosophy For Beginners traces the development of these questions as the key to understanding how Western philosophy developed over the last 2,500 years….
3. Philosophy of Mind: A Beginner’s Guide (2005)
Designed specifically for students with no background knowledge in the subject, this accessible introduction covers all of the basic concepts and major theories in the philosophy of mind. Topics discussed include dualism, behaviorism, the identity theory, functionalism, the computational theory of mind, connectionism, physicalism, mental causation, and consciousness. The text is enhanced by chapter summaries, a glossary, suggestions for further reading, and self-assessment questions. #227,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #522 in Consciousness & Thought Philosophy #1116 in Philosophy (Books) Would…
4. Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions (2005)
From time to time we all face life’s big questions . . . And as we wrestle with these issues, we may even find ourselves thinking, Perhaps what I need is a good dose of philosophy. It’s a shame philosophy is so difficult. Garrett DeWeese and J. P. Moreland understand this frustration and in this book offer help to make philosophy at least slightly less difficult. In straightforward language with everyday examples, they explain the basics needed to understand philosophical concepts and thus bring clarity to discussions of life’s big questions. Students, pastors, campus workers and…
5. Philosophy of Religion: A Beginner’s Guide (Beginner’s Guides) (2009)
A much-needed introductory level book on this widely studied subject.Isaac Asimov said that “whatever the tortures of hell, I think the boredom of heaven would be even worse.” Such quandaries are the bread and butter of philosophy of religion. Questioning why evil exists, whether God could create a stone he couldn’t lift, and if the wonder of life suggests a Creator, this fascinating branch of philosophy is concerned with arguments for and against religion, and what form an immortal god (or gods) would take if in existence.Assuming no prior knowledge of philosophy from the reader, Taliaferro…
6. Islamic Philosophy: A Beginner’s Guide (Beginner’s Guides) (2009)
From the introduction of Greek Philosophy into the Muslim world in the eighth century, right through to modern times, Majid Fakhry charts the evolution and interaction of philosophy, theology, and mysticism in the Islamic context. Highlighting key individuals, movements, concepts and writings, Fakhry also explores the conflicts and controversies between anti- and pro-philosophical parties that have characterised the development of Islamic thought. Majid Fakhry is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington DC. #806,363 in Books (See Top…
7. Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice (2006)
Due to the sheer number of Wicca 101 books on the market, many newcomers to the Craft find themselves piecing together their Wiccan education by reading a chapter from one book, a few pages from another. Rather than depending on snippets of wisdom to build a new faith, Wicca for Beginners provides a solid foundation to Wicca without limiting the reader to one tradition or path. Embracing both the spiritual and the practical, Wicca for Beginners is a primer on the philosophies, culture, and beliefs behind the religion, without losing the mystery that draws many students to want to learn. Detailing practices such as…
8. Buddhism for Beginners: Plain and Simple Guide to Buddhist Philosophy Including Zen Teachings, Tibetan Buddhism, and Mindfulness Meditation (2019)
Do You Want To Free Yourself From Stress And Anxiety?Would you like to bring peace and joy in your life?Many people hear the word “Buddhism” and they think it is a religion. However, a person of any religion can bring Buddhist principles into their life without giving up their religious beliefs. Buddhism is a simple and practical philosophy, practiced by more than 300 million people worldwide, that can make your life better and help you find inner peace and happiness. Buddhism is a way of living your life following a path of spiritual development that leads you to the truth of…
9. The Human Person: A Beginner’s Thomistic Psychology (2018)
The Human Person presents a brief introduction to the human mind, the soul, immortality, and free will. While delving into the thought of Thomas Aquinas, it addresses contemporary topics, such as skepticism, mechanism, animal language research, and determinism. Steven J. Jensen probes the primal questions of human nature. Are human beings free or determined? Is the capacity to reason distinctive to human beings or do animals also have some share of reason? Have animals really been taught to use language? The Human Person touches on topics that bear upon the…
10. Political Philosophy: A Beginners’ Guide for Students and Politicians (2019)
Politicians invoke grand ideas: social justice, democracy, community, liberty, equality. But what do these ideas really mean? How can politicians across the political spectrum appeal to the same values? This fourth edition of Adam Swift’s highly readable introduction to political philosophy answers these important questions, and includes new material on issues such as nationalism, immigration and multiculturalism, as well as updated guides to further reading. This lively and accessible book is ideal for students, but it also brings the insights of the…
11. Philosophy of Mind (A Beginner’s Guide) (2006)
In this lively and entertaining introduction to the philospohy of the mind, Edward Feser explores the questions central to the discipline. #128,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #304 in Consciousness & Thought Philosophy Would you like to ?If you are a seller for this product, would you like to ?…
12. Buddhism: Beginner’s Guide to Understanding & Practicing Buddhism to Become Stress and Anxiety Free (Buddhism, Mindfulness, Meditation, Buddhism For Beginners) (2016)
4th Edition Now Available with New Beautiful Images and also as Audiobook! “No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” – Buddha An ancient and deeply revered practice, Buddhism is even more popular now than it has been in decades. The secret behind its steady rise is due in part to the plethora of benefits Buddhism reaps upon those who practice it and apply its teachings to their lives. Through mindfulness and meditation, Buddhism injects peace and clarity into the minds and lives of those who dedicate themselves to it. Those wonderful benefits can be a part of your life as…
13. Wicca for Beginners: Philosophy and Practice of Wicca Beliefs with Guide for Solitary Practitioner of Magic, Rituals, and Witchcraft for Living A Magical Life (2019)
Buy the Paperback Version of the Book and get the Kindle Book Version for FREE!If you have been looking to learn more about the Wiccan belief system, then this book is for you.The thing is, you’ve probably tried to learn about Wicca and their belief system. You’ve probably scoured the internet looking for information about it and how to get started, but you find lots of websites with different information. Sure, you may find some agreements, but there is a lot of confusion out there. It’s understandable why there is are differences, there are no hard and fast rules as to how to be a Wiccan, but that can be…
14. Marx for Beginners (2003)
A cartoon book about Marx? Are you sure it’s Karl, not Groucho? How can you summarize the work of Karl Marx in cartoons? It took Rius to do it. He’s put it all in: the origins of Marxist philosophy, history, economics; of capital, labor, the class struggle, socialism. And there’s a biography of "Charlie" Marx besides.Like the companion volumes in the series, Marx for Beginners is accurate, understandable, and very, very funny. #201,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #86 in Psychologist Biographies #622 in Economic History (Books) #378…
15. Eastern Philosophy For Beginners (2007)
The spiritual rewards and intellectual challenges of Eastern Philosophy are revealed in this visually stunning book, illustrated by Joe Lee and with 19th Century engravings.Eastern Philosophy is not an intellectual pursuit, but one that involves one’s entire being. Much of it is so deeply entwined with the non-intellectual art of meditation, that the two are impossible to separate. In this accessible survey of the major philosophies of India, China, Tibet, and Japan, Jim Powell draws upon his knowledge of Sanskrit and Chinese, as well as decades of meditation. Whether tackling Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Dogen, the Dali Lama…
Best Beginner Philosophy Books Worth Your Attention
We highly recommend you to buy all paper or e-books in a legal way, for example, on Amazon. But sometimes it might be a need to dig deeper beyond the shiny book cover. Before making a purchase, you can visit resources like Genesis and download some beginner philosophy books mentioned below at your own risk. Once again, we do not host any illegal or copyrighted files, but simply give our visitors a choice and hope they will make a wise decision.
Stoicism: A Beginner’s Guide To The History & Philosophy Of Stoicism
Author(s): Dale Kingsley
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Year: 2016, Size: 178 Kb, Download: epub
ID: 1562723
Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide
Author(s): Peter Cave
Publisher: Oneworld Publications, Year: 2013, Size: 822 Kb, Download: epub
ID: 1127144
Political philosophy: a beginners’ guide for students and politicians
Author(s): Adam Swift
Publisher: , Year: 2013, Size: 2 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 2181703
Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide to the Ideas of 100 Great Thinkers
Author(s): Jeremy Harwood
Publisher: Quercus, Year: 2010, Size: 17 Mb, Download: epub
ID: 1125967
Satanism: A Beginner’s Guide to the Religious Worship of Satan and Demons Volume I: Philosophy
Author(s): Brother Nero
Publisher: Devil’s Mark Publishing, Year: 2010, Size: 45 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 1684444
Islamic Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide
Author(s): Majid Fakhry
Publisher: Oneworld Publications, Year: 2009, Size: 681 Kb, Download: mobi
ID: 1295020
Philosophy of Mind, Revised Edition: A Beginner's Guide
Author(s): Edward Feser
Publisher: Oneworld, Year: 2007, Size: 3 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 270755
Philosophy of Mind: A Beginner’s Guide
Author(s): Edward Feser
Publisher: Oneworld Publications, Year: 2006, Size: 256 Kb, Download: epub
ID: 2419241
Philosophy of Mind: A Beginner's Guide
Author(s): Ian Ravenscroft
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Year: 2005, Size: 3 Mb, Download: djvu
ID: 1125609
Please note that this booklist is not final. Some books are truly best-sellers according to The Wall Street Journal, others are composed by unknown writers. On top of that, you can always find additional tutorials and courses on Coursera, Udemy or edX, for example. Are there any other relevant links you could recommend? Leave a comment if you have any feedback on the list.