Modern Philosophy

In a world filled with uncertainty, absurdism offers an unexpected solution: freedom. But how can we live meaningfully when life itself resists meaning? Absurdism for Beginners: A Practical Introduction to Embracing Life's Uncertainty is the guide you’ve been waiting for. Unlock the power of embracing uncertainty. Discover how absurdism frees you from the constant pressure to find answers that may never come. Explore the lives and thoughts of the great philosophers. Understand how Camus, Sartre, and others turned chaos into the key to personal freedom. Find peace in life’s ...

What are the secrets to a contented life? One of Rome's greatest and most influential poets, Horace (65-8 BCE) has been cherished for more than 2,000 years not only for his wit, style, and reflections on Roman society, but also for his wisdom about how to live a good life - above all else, a life of contentment in a world of materialistic excess and personal pressures. In How to Be Content, Stephen Harrison provides fresh, contemporary translations of poems from across Horace's works that continue to offer important lessons about the good life, friendship, love, and death.

Hegel is regarded as one of the most influential figures on modern political and intellectual development. After painting Hegel's life and times in broad strokes, Peter Singer goes on to tackle some of the more challenging aspects of Hegel's philosophy. Offering a broad discussion of Hegel's ideas and an account of his major works, Singer explains what have often been considered abstruse and obscure ideas in a clear and inviting manner.

In a world where social media, online relationships, and relentless self-absorption threaten the very idea of deep and lasting friendships, the search for true friends is more important than ever. In this short book, famous Roman politician and philosopher Cicero offers a compelling guide to finding, keeping, and appreciating friends. With wit and wisdom, Cicero teaches not only how to build friendships but also why they must be a key part of our lives. For, as Cicero says, life without friends is not worth living.

One of the most influential Roman perspectives on religion came from a nonreligious belief system that is finding new adherents even today: Stoicism. How did the Stoics think about religion? In How to Think About God, Philip Freeman presents vivid new translations of Cicero's On the Nature of the Gods and The Dream of Scipio. In these brief works, Cicero offers a Stoic view of belief, divinity, and human immortality, giving eloquent expression to the religious ideas of one of the most popular schools of Roman and Greek philosophy.

In Search of a Theory of Everything takes listeners on an adventurous journey through space and time on a quest for a unified "theory of everything" by means of a rare and agile interplay between the natural philosophies of influential ancient Greek thinkers and the laws of modern physics.

Can jokes win a hostile room, a hopeless argument, or even an election? You bet they can, according to Cicero, and he knew what he was talking about. One of Rome's greatest politicians, speakers, and lawyers, Cicero was also reputedly one of antiquity's funniest people. After he was elected commander-in-chief and head of state, his enemies even started calling him "the stand-up Consul". How to Tell a Joke provides a lively new translation of Cicero's essential writing on humor alongside that of the later Roman orator and educator Quintilian.

Discover a practice that has stood the test of time, offering clarity, focus, and peace in an increasingly chaotic world. Soto Zen for Beginners: Timeless Teachings for Modern Living is your invitation to step into a life of mindfulness, simplicity, and profound transformation. This isn’t just a book—it’s a doorway to a new way of being. Whether you’re a curious beginner or someone seeking a deeper connection to the present moment, this guide delivers the wisdom of Soto Zen in a practical and approachable way. Master the art of zazen, the Soto Zen practice of “just sitting,” and...

Worried that old age will inevitably mean losing your libido, your health, and possibly your marbles too? Well, Cicero has some good news for you. In How to Grow Old, the great Roman orator and statesman eloquently describes how you can make the second half of life the best part of all - and why you might discover that reading and gardening are actually far more pleasurable than sex ever was.

Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist philosophy ever written, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Irrational Man begins by discussing the roots of existentialism in the art and thinking of Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, Baudelaire, Blake, Dostoevski, Tolstoy, Hemingway, Picasso, Joyce, and Beckett. The heart of the book explains the views of the foremost existentialists - Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. The result is a marvelously lucid definition of existentialism and a brilliant interpretation of its impact.

With his well known idiosyncrasies and aphoristic style, Friedrich Nietzsche is always bracing and provocative, and temptingly easy to dip into. Michael Tanner's introduction to the philosopher's life and work examines the numerous ambiguities inherent in his writings and explodes many of the misconceptions that have grown in the hundred years since Nietzsche wrote "do not, above all, confound me with what I am not!"

Escape the race to happiness, build a life of value, and resist the pull of self-help.

Dive into one of the most profound spiritual journeys ever recorded with Confessions: Augustine’s Journey in Modern English. This contemporary translation brings the timeless reflections of St. Augustine to life, capturing his powerful narrative in a voice that speaks directly to today’s readers. A Journey of Faith and Transformation In this groundbreaking edition, Confessions has been meticulously translated and edited by Modern Catholic Texts, employing a unique blend of traditional translation methods and advanced AI tools. The result is a version of Augustine’s masterpiece that ...

In a world filled with stress, uncertainty, and emotional turmoil, how can we cultivate true inner peace? _Stoicism for Resilience_ offers a powerful answer by reviving the ancient wisdom of Stoic philosophy and applying it to modern life. This practical and insightful guide explores how timeless Stoic principles can help you overcome anxiety, manage anger, and break free from the grip of depression. Through easy-to-follow exercises, and actionable strategies, you’ll learn how to: ✅ Shift your mindset to focus on what you can control ✅ Develop emotional resilience in the face of ...

The Daily Stoic is a wise, calming guide to living a good life, offering inspirational daily doses of classic wisdom. Every day of the year you'll find a powerful quotation from the likes of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright Seneca, or philosopher Epictetus, as well as historical anecdotes and thought-provoking commentary to help you tackle any problem, approach any goal and find the serenity, self-knowledge and resilience you need to live well.

Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) was an extraordinarily original thinker, whose influence on 20th-century thinking far outside the bounds of philosophy alone. In this engaging Introduction, A. C. Grayling makes Wittgenstein's thought accessible to the general listener by explaining the nature and impact of Wittgenstein's views. He describes both his early and later philosophy, the differences and connections between them, and gives a fresh assessment of Wittgenstein's continuing influence on contemporary thought.

Tao Te Ching Explained: A Modern Guide to Laozi's Ancient Wisdom and the Way of the Tao is your accessible, insightful companion to one of the most influential spiritual texts in history. Whether you're a beginner or returning to the Tao Te Ching with fresh eyes, this guide offers a modern interpretation of Laozi’s timeless teachings, designed to bring clarity and practical meaning to your daily life. Explore the essence of the Tao—the Way—and discover how concepts like wu wei (effortless action), yin and yang, and simplicity can transform how you lead, love, and live. With chapters ...

Recognizing the power of the new and trying to understand and promote the conditions that make it possible, the Greeks were the first to write about innovation and even the first to record a word for forging something new. In short, the Greeks "invented" innovation itself - and they still have a great deal to teach us about it. How to Innovate is an engaging introduction to key ideas about - and examples of - innovation and creative thinking from ancient Greece. Armand D'Angour provides lively new translations of selections from Aristotle, Diodorus, and Athenaeus.

Along with Stoicism and Epicureanism, Skepticism is one of the three major schools of ancient Greek philosophy that claim to offer a way of living as well as thinking. How to Keep an Open Mind provides an unmatched introduction to skepticism by presenting a fresh, modern translation of key passages from the writings of Sextus Empiricus, the only Greek skeptic whose works have survived.

If recent history has taught us anything, it's that sometimes the best guide to leadership is the negative example. But that insight is hardly new. Nearly 2,000 years ago, Suetonius wrote Lives of the Caesars, perhaps the greatest negative leadership book of all time. In How to Be a Bad Emperor, Josiah Osgood provides crisp new translations of Suetonius's briskly paced, darkly comic biographies of the Roman emperors Julius Caesar, Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero. Entertaining and shocking, these ancient anti-role models show how power inflames leaders' worst tendencies.