The 10 Best Philosophy Textbooks

Fundamentals of Philosophy is arranged by some of the most difficult and pressing issues of all time, creating a narrative format that allows learners to process the information more easily. That's good, because the book won't hold your hand at any point.

If you're looking for a deep dive into one of the principal branches of the discipline, then consider picking up Elements of Moral Philosophy. Students will learn about utilitarianism, social contract theory, and even some of the currently-prevailing feminist ideas.

If you're looking to teach yourself or homeschool your children, Philosophy Made Simple will help you make the information more relatable. It's also excellent for anyone who's struggling with more tedious books in a college-level class.

Possibly the most important question in philosophy is how to live a virtuous and upstanding life. To that end, The Right Thing to Do tries to break down how various theorists have approached this problem, allowing you to decide for yourself how to deal with moral dilemmas.

For readers just wanting to dip their toe into the subject, The Basics serves as an effective primer. It's designed around some of the most basic — but persistent — questions that continue to haunt mankind, with brief overviews of the arguments on either side.

It's one of the older texts that's still widely used, but that's because The History of Western Philosophy is an enduring classic. Penned by the illustrious Bertrand Russell, it covers everything from the rise of the Greeks to the problems that dog us today.

Philosophy can be a dry subject, but Questions That Matter does a good job of striking a balance between serving up a readable style without sacrificing its scholarly content, making it a smart choice for anyone who's walked away from the material before.

A Historical Survey with Essential Readings offers an equal mix of Eastern and Western teachings, giving students a comprehensive overview of the topics covered. That sets it apart from many competitors, which put a disproportionate focus on Western thinkers.

An Introduction to the Art of Wondering lays the groundwork that students will need to excel in future, higher-level classes, while also serving as a useful survey of the material in its own right. It's a good choice for anyone wanting a gentle introduction to the subject.

The Great Conversation treats the history of philosophy as a discussion between our deepest thinkers, making the texts much more engaging. It goes to great lengths to demonstrate how philosophers think about and respond to the most important questions of all time.