Philosophy
Read Philosophy Classics in English
251 philosophy books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best philosophy classics to read in English as a learner?
The best philosophy classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with The Book of Khalid, The Banquet (Il Convito) and The Ball and the Cross. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
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Level C1PhilosophyThe Book of KhalidA philosopher, poet, and outlaw charts a spiritual journey through ancient and modern worlds, challenging societal guides and inviting readers to discover their own path in a quest…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Banquet (Il Convito)Explore a profound feast of medieval philosophy where human desire for knowledge meets divine love, revealing the soul’s quest for truth amid the limits of earthly understanding an…
Level C1FantasyThe Ball and the CrossSoaring above the earth in a fantastical flying ship, a brilliant inventor and a wise, holy monk embark on a journey that pits scientific skepticism against ancient faith, explorin…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ayenbite of Inwyt (Remorse of Conscience): A Translation of Parts into Modern EnglishA medieval guide reveals the Ten Commandments' spiritual meaning and the path to repentance, urging readers to cleanse their conscience and live in harmony with divine law.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Apologia and Florida of Apuleius of MadauraA philosopher and traveler from a wealthy Roman colony recounts his education, mystical initiations, and encounters with influential friends, culminating in his defense against acc…
Level C1PhilosophyThe AngelA man named Joseph undergoes a profound transformation as unseen spiritual forces challenge the materialistic worldview, revealing the mysterious interplay between soul, morality,…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Anatomy of MelancholyExplore the depths of melancholy through a rich blend of philosophy, medicine, and history as it dissects its causes, symptoms, and cures with wit and wisdom.
Level C1PhilosophyThe Analects of Confucius (from the Chinese Classics)Explore timeless wisdom on virtue, filial piety, sincerity, and governance as a revered teacher imparts guidance on living with integrity, respect, and moral clarity in society and…
Level C1PhilosophyThe Academic Questions, Treatise De Finibus, and Tusculan Disputations, of M.T. Cicero, With a Sketch of the Greek Philosophers Mentioned by CiceroExplore the origins of Western philosophy through Cicero’s detailed survey of Greek thinkers, tracing their bold theories on the cosmos, matter, and mind that shaped the foundation…
Level C1PoetryTennysonExplore the delicate harmony between art and nature through the eyes of a poet who captures beauty not in raw wilderness but in the crafted elegance of human creation, amid a world…
Level C1PhilosophyTemporal Power: A Study in SupremacyA sovereign contemplates humanity’s endless struggle against nature’s immutable laws, pondering whether our failure lies in our own material self-interest or a deeper cosmic cause.
Level C1PhilosophyTabletsExplore the profound connection between humanity and nature through meditations on gardens, orchards, and rural life as symbols of civilization, wisdom, and virtue.
Level C1PhilosophySymposiumAt a banquet celebrating a tragic victory, guests take turns delivering profound speeches honoring love, exploring its divine and earthly forms, its power to inspire courage and vi…
Level C1PhilosophySunshine JaneA radiant young woman returns to a sleepy village, unknowingly poised to ignite profound change and uncover life's deepest lessons.
Level C1HistoricalStudies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 3 of 3: I. Agorè: Polities of the Homeric Age. II. Ilios: Trojans and Greeks Compared. III. Thalassa: The Outer Geography. IV. Aoidos: Some Points of the Poetry of Homer.Explore the political foundations, cultural contrasts, and geographical context of the Homeric Age, revealing how early Greek society shaped enduring ideals of governance and ident…
Level C1PhilosophyStudies and Essays: Censorship and ArtIn a society where theatrical censorship protects public sensibilities, an exploration unfolds questioning why similar control isn’t applied to literature, art, and other cultural…
Level C1PhilosophyStatesmanPhilosophical dialogues explore the elusive nature of true statesmanship and the ideal ruler, blending political theory with sharp dialectical method and satirical insight into hum…
Level C1PoetrySpecimens of the Table Talk of Samuel Taylor ColeridgeEnter the intimate world of a brilliant mind through vivid recollections of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s conversations, where profound thoughts and eloquent expressions reveal his uni…
Level C1PhilosophySome Causes of the Prevailing DiscontentExplore the tension between the ideal of equality and the reality of social duties, as rising discontent challenges the promises of liberty and progress in a rapidly changing socie…
Level C1HistoricalSoliloquies in England, and Later SoliloquiesAmid the turbulence of World War I England, a reflective mind wanders through its landscapes and culture, exploring themes of liberty, identity, and the enduring spirit beyond temp…
Level C1PhilosophySociety and solitude: Twelve chaptersDiscover the delicate balance between society and solitude through vivid portraits of individuals who struggle to connect while guarding their inner genius, exploring the paradox o…
Level C1PhilosophySir Thomas More, or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of SocietyEngage in profound dialogues with the ghost of Sir Thomas More as he and a reflective author explore the challenges and hopes for society’s progress, balancing idealism with the ca…
Level C1PhilosophySir Thomas Browne and his 'Religio Medici': An AppreciationExplore the profound reflections of a 17th-century physician whose wisdom bridges science, faith, and human nature, revealed through intimate letters and literary masterpieces that…
Level C1HistoricalShort Studies on Great SubjectsExplore the challenges of interpreting history as a science, questioning how truth is shaped by selective narratives and the struggle to find order in the chaos of human events and…
Level C1PhilosophyShelley and the Marriage QuestionExplore the turbulent debates on marriage as a societal institution under scrutiny, where traditional bonds clash with emerging calls for equality and freedom, igniting a revolutio…
Level C1PhilosophyShakspere and Montaigne: An Endeavour to Explain the Tendency of 'Hamlet' from Allusions in Contemporary WorksExplore the hidden political and philosophical conflicts behind Shakespeare's Hamlet, unveiling its role in a fierce theatrical controversy with contemporaries and its debate over…
Level C1PhilosophySesame and LiliesA passionate call to cherish life's fleeting hours by surrounding oneself with thoughtfully chosen, well-crafted books, urging readers to build a lasting personal library that enri…
Level C1PhilosophySeraphitaAmid Norway’s wild, intricate fiords, a celestial tale unfolds where nature’s grandeur mirrors the mysterious human phenomena waiting to be revealed.
Level C1PhilosophySelections from the Prose Writings of John Henry Cardinal Newman: For the Use of SchoolsExplore the profound reflections and eloquent prose of a spiritual thinker whose insights illuminate truth and inspire the heart.
Level C1PhilosophySelections from Previous Works: With Remarks on Romanes' Mental Evolution in Animals, and a Psalm of MontrealIn a society where illness is a crime and immoral behavior a sickness, explore a thought-provoking critique of science, heredity, and social norms through sharp commentary and imag…
Level C1PhilosophySelected Works of Voltairine de CleyreA fierce rebel shaped by hardship and defiance, she challenges societal hypocrisy and champions universal liberty amid America’s transformative era.
Level C1HistoricalSelected Essays of Plutarch, Vol. II.Explore a rich collection of philosophical dialogues and treatises that delve into morality, superstition, and the complexities of human nature, guided by thoughtful commentary and…
Level C1PhilosophySelected Essays of Plutarch, Vol. I.Explore the rich moral and social insights of early Roman-era middle-class life through essays that blend practical philosophy with keen observation, offering timeless reflections…
Level C1PhilosophySearch-Light LettersA thoughtful dialogue unfolds aboard an ocean steamer, exploring the tension between personal ethics and social conventions as a young instructress grapples with honesty, duty, and…
Level C1PhilosophyScenes and PortraitsExplore the delicate dance between reason and mysticism as profound minds wrestle with truth, faith, and individuality.
Level C1PhilosophySatires and ProfanitiesDive into a collection of sharp, biting satire that challenges religion and society with wit and irony, exposing the follies of superstition and injustice through powerful, provoca…
Level C1PhilosophySartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr TeufelsdröckhIn a world dissected by science and philosophy, one thinker turns to the overlooked realm of clothing, exploring how humanity’s outer coverings reveal deep truths about the self an…
Level C1PhilosophySartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in HistoryDive into the life and philosophies of Herr Diogenes Teufelsdröckh, a quirky German professor whose reflections on life, knowledge, and the meaning of existence unfold through sati…
Level C1PhilosophyRousseau and RomanticismExplore the clash between Rousseau's emotional romanticism and the demands of human law, as a critical examination challenges naturalistic excesses and advocates for a modern, expe…
Level C1HistoricalRousseau (Volume 1 and 2)Follow the turbulent life and revolutionary ideas of Rousseau, whose writings on society, education, and government challenge the conventions of his time and ignite political and i…
Level C1PhilosophyRosa AlchemicaA scholar haunted by alchemical mysteries seeks to transform the weariness of mortal life into immortal beauty, surrounded by symbols and artifacts that blur the line between art,…
Level C1PhilosophyRevolutionist's Handbook and Pocket CompanionChallenging the foundations of society, this handbook explores revolution not just as upheaval but as a personal transformation, urging readers to envision a new kind of human—stro…
Level C1PhilosophyRepresentative Men: Seven LecturesExplore the profound impact of extraordinary individuals whose genius shapes society and inspires humanity.
Level C1HistoricalReligio Medici, Hydriotaphia, and the Letter to a FriendExplore the profound reflections of a 17th-century physician whose writings blend science, superstition, and charity, revealing a mind shaped by diverse cultures and eras.
Level C1Science FictionReinsternJourney through a vast, desolate landscape to a mysterious, idyllic community where government-provided abundance and education in natural history shape a society free of poverty a…
Level C1PhilosophyReform and Politics: Part 2 from The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier, Volume VIIExplore the clash between conservative resistance and visionary reform as political theorists challenge entrenched social orders, envisioning new possibilities for justice, suffrag…
Level C1PhilosophyReflections; or Sentences and Moral MaximsExplore sharp, insightful maxims and reflections that reveal the true nature of humanity, exposing the faults of mankind through concise, thought-provoking moral truths refined ove…
Level C1PhilosophyReflections on the death of a porcupine and other essaysAmid the turmoil of war and the clash of opposing forces, explore the profound struggle between fierce instincts and pure ideals, and the deep, restless longing within the human he…