Whether you’ve taken a few philosophy classes or you’re brand new to philosophy, there are plenty of books about philosophy for beginners to help you get started. This curated list of philosophy books for beginners will introduce you to philosophical classics from the east and west as well as easy to understand books to introduce readers to philosophy.

A Socratic Introduction to Plato's Republic
by Peter Kreeft
IN A NUTSHELL. Classic philosophical text on justice
SHORT & SIMPLE. Socrates wanders around Athens philosophizing about what it means for a political system and a person to be just.
GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want to be introduced to philosophy in the most classic way possible.
This is Plato’s Republic with an introduction from Kreeft to help beginners. Odds are high that an undergrad student studying philosophy starts their philosophical career by being introduced to Plato’s Republic, so if you want to be introduced to philosophy in the most classic way possible this book is the right choice. Many concepts that come from Plato’s Republic may already be familiar to those who have never studied philosophy (philosopher-kings, platonic forms, and Plato’s cave, for example). Plato’s Republic even discusses a theory of love that you can also hear about in the Hedwig & The Angry Inch song, “The Origin of Love.”
nonfiction
A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
by William B. Irvine
IN A NUTSHELL. Tips for tranquility from the ancients
SHORT & SIMPLE. Learn about the stoic philosophers and how stoicism can help you navigate life.
GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want a book about philosophy mixed with some self-help.
Throw out what you know about the definition of the word “stoic,” and learn about the history of stoic philosophy from professor William B. Irvine. From Zeno to Marcus Aurelius, this book about philosophy for beginners provides an introduction to the stoic philosophers before exploring five stoic psychological techniques to help modern readers navigate life. Irvine’s book also provides stoic advice for dealing with grief, anger, and old age among other topics.
nonfiction + self-help
The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy
by Sun Tzu, Lao-Tzu, Confucius & Mencius
IN A NUTSHELL. Tips for business and life from the ancient east
SHORT & SIMPLE. Learn business strategy and other tips for living from ancient eastern philosophers.
GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you’re looking for a book about philosophy for beginners that focuses on eastern philosophy.
There’s no substitute for delving into the primary texts if you really want to understand a particular philosophy and the way that philosophers think. This philosophy book for beginners who are interested in eastern philosophy provides a number of primary philosophical texts including Sun Tzu's Art of War and Lao-Tzu's Tao Te Ching. This books is a great introduction point for those interested in eastern philosophy.
nonfiction
Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction
by Thomas Flynn
IN A NUTSHELL. Make meaning from meaninglessness
SHORT & SIMPLE. Learn about the existentialist movement and its leading thinkers.
GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…you want a book about philosophy for beginners that explains existentialism.
If you’re not overly familiar with philosophy, odds are decent that your ideas about what philosophy is are based in either the ancient Greeks likes Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, or the more modern existentialists. You've definitely seen the ideas of existentialist philosophers show up in modern day art and life. So, if you don't exactly know what existentialism is, learn about this philosophical movement with Flynn’s introduction to existentialism. This book about philosophy for beginners provides an overview of the thoughts of Camus, Sartre, Nietzsche, and other existentialist philosophers.
nonfiction
Ethics 101: From Altruism and Utilitarianism to Bioethics and Political Ethics, an Exploration of the Concepts of Right and Wrong
by Brian Boone
IN A NUTSHELL. What philosophers think about morality
SHORT & SIMPLE. An obsessive stalker manipulates his way into dating a grad student.
GO FOR THIS BOOK IF…You want a book about philosophy for beginners that provides a fun introduction to ethics.
This book about philosophy for beginners is a fun introduction to the branch of philosophy concerned with moral living, ethics. Boone’s book covers a wide variety of thinkers on ethics from Confucious to Sartre. Ethics 101 also introduces readers to the kinds of thought problems philosophers love to engage in, like the “trolley problem.” (If you watched The Good Place, you’re familiar with this one already.) Ethics 101 is a recommended read if you’re looking for a philosophy book for beginners that focuses on ethics.
nonfiction