Philosophy

Best Philosophy Books You Must Read

• The Inferno - In the year 1300, Inferno occurs on the eve of Good Friday. Dante Alighieri is currently wandering in the wilderness and pacing in anxiety. The legendary Roman poet Virgil, who has come to lead Dante back to his path, is encountered here. They enter the Ante-Inferno, an outpost of Hell where the spirits of those who in life could not choose between good and evil now have to pursue a blank banner.Dante's Inferno begins with the First Circle of Hell, reserved for the sin of the Lust. Dante glimpses Filippo Argenti, a former political enemy of his, and watches as other souls tear him to pieces. The Gluttonous are forced to lay in mud and experience an excrement and scum rain. Virgil and Dante come upon a group of Centaurs, which are a mix between men and horses. They come across those who have acted violently toward God.Dante and Virgil are carried by Geryon across a wide chasm and into the eighth circle of hell. The word Malebolge, or "evil pockets", alludes to the partition of the circle into numerous pockets, each divided by vast folds of dirt. Count Ugolino gnaws on the head of the person who imprisoned him in life for all of eternity. The Fourth Ring of the Ninth Circle of Hell, Judecca, is the next place Dante travels with Virgil.

• The Apology by Plato is a description of the statement Socrates gives during his trial. Socrates is accused of creating new gods and ruining Athens' young. By no means is Socrates' speech an ""apology"" in the sense we use today. Socrates generally uses extremely simple, conversational language.Socrates compares himself to a gadfly stinging a lethargic horse, the Athenian state, in The Apology of Socrates. He then starts questioning Meletus, who was essentially in charge of presenting Socrates to the jury. This is one of the rare times Socrates employs the cross-examination technique, or questioning, which is so prevalent in most Platonic dialogues.He makes the lighthearted suggestion that if he were to receive what he merits, he should be rewarded with a delectable feast for his significant contributions to the state. He claims that only the gods know what occurs after death when the jury rejects his recommendation and executes him.

• The lengthy poem, On the Nature of Things, by Lucretius, published as De Rerum Natura in Latin, presents the Greek philosopher Epicurus's scientific theory. The title of Lucretius's work, Peri physes, is a translation of the title of Epicurus' principal treatise (On Nature). Lucretius structured his discussion into six books, each of which had a very well-crafted introduction. Books I and II lay forth the fundamental ideas of the atomic universe, disprove the competing views of Heracleitus, Empedocles, and Anaxagoras, pre-Socratic cosmic thinkers, and subtly criticize the Stoics, a rival school of moralists to Epicurus. The final sermon in Book III, "Death is nothing to us," illustrates the atomic structure of the soul and its mortality. Book IV criticizes sexual passion while describing the mechanisms of the mind, some physical functions, and sense perception. Book V explains how the world and heavenly bodies were created, how they function, how life evolved, and how human society developed. Book VI covers amazing astronomical and terrestrial events, especially lightning and thunder. The poem concludes with a description of the Athens epidemic, a sombre representation of mortality in contrast to the image of spring and life presented in the poem's opening appeal to Venus.

• "Sartor Resartus" is a satirical novel by Scottish author Thomas Carlyle.  The book is divided into three sections, with the first section providing a biographical account of Teufelsdröckh's life and his philosophical ideas, which include a rejection of traditional morality and the importance of the individual's subjective experience. The second section explores the symbolism and meaning behind clothing and fashion, using it as a metaphor for the ways in which people construct their identities and relationships with the world. Finally, the third section, titled "The Everlasting No," addresses the idea of skepticism and doubt, arguing that questioning and rejecting established beliefs can lead to a more meaningful life. Throughout the book, Carlyle employs a complex and sometimes obscure writing style, incorporating elements of poetry, philosophy, and history, and often satirizing the conventions of traditional narrative. "Sartor Resartus" has been praised for its innovative form and challenging ideas.

• "Auguste Comte and Positivism" is a critical essay written by John Stuart Mill, one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century. The essay focuses on the ideas of Auguste Comte, a French philosopher and founder of the philosophy of positivism. In the essay, Mill examines Comte's belief that society can only be understood through scientific observation and that knowledge should be based on empirical evidence rather than speculation. Mill also critiques Comte's view that human beings should abandon the search for ultimate causes and instead focus on understanding the laws that govern social and natural phenomena. Despite his criticisms, Mill recognizes Comte's contributions to the development of the social sciences. Hereby, "Auguste Comte and Positivism" is a thought-provoking analysis of one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century. Mill's essay continues to be studied and debated by scholars today as an important contribution to the ongoing discussion of the role of science in understanding society and the human experience. 

• Henry David Thoreau's collection of essays and poetry, "Excursions," was released two years after his death. Thoreau's writings on nature, philosophy, and social concerns are spread throughout the book. The articles in "Excursions" are organized according to various subjects, such as "The Succession of Forest Trees," "A Trip to Wachusett," and "Natural History of Massachusetts." Thoreau utilizes his views of nature to explore further into philosophical issues including the way people interact with the natural world, what progress means, and the place of individuality in society. In "Excursions," Thoreau also includes a number of his poetry in addition to his writings. Several of these poems highlight the value of living a modest, thoughtful life as well as the beauty of nature. Thoreau stresses the value of living in balance with nature and developing a strong connection to it throughout the whole book. According to him, making this link may motivate people to strive towards a more fair and equal society as well as help them find meaning and purpose in their own lives. "Excursions" is, in general, a celebration of the natural environment and a plea for people to live more completely and purposefully every day.

• "Dream Psychology" is a seminal work by Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, that explores the nature and significance of dreams. In "Dream Psychology," Freud examines a range of dream-related topics, including the function of dreams, the interpretation of dreams, and the relationship between dreams and mental illness. The author also explores the role of childhood experiences, sexual desires, and repressed emotions in shaping dreams. The book is written in Freud's characteristic style, which can be challenging for some readers. However, it is an important work in the history of psychology, and its influence can be seen in many modern theories of dream analysis and psychotherapy. Overall, "Dream Psychology" is an insightful book that provides a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of the human mind. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of psychology, the interpretation of dreams, or the role of the unconscious in human behavior.

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