Philosophy
Read Philosophy Classics in English
303 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 Montaigne and Shakspere, Miscellanies and Miscellaneous Studies; a series of essays. 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 C1PhilosophyIngersollia: Gems of Thought from the Lectures, Speeches, and Conversations of Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, Representative of His Opinions and BeliefsExplore the stirring reflections and bold opinions of a fiery orator on topics from the joy of farm life and the independence of the individual to progress, politics, science, and…
Level C1PhilosophyIndependence: Rectorial address delivered at St. Andrews October 10, 1923Explore the origins and meaning of independence as it unfolds from humanity’s earliest days, tracing the instinct that shapes our self-ownership and social complexities—from primal…
Level C1PhilosophyIdeas of Good and EvilExplore the quest to create a truly Irish poetic style that captures the spirit and stories of the people beyond politics and imitation.
Level C1HistoricalHomer's Odyssey: A CommentaryEmbark on the profound journey of Ulysses, the resourceful hero who, after the fall of Troy, faces not just physical trials but a deeper spiritual quest for restoration, wisdom, an…
Level C1HistoricalHomer and His AgeExplore the world behind the Homeric epics through a detailed investigation of the culture and lifestyle depicted, challenging critical assumptions and uncovering the unity and con…
Level C2PhilosophyHomer and Classical PhilologyExplore the complex world of Classical Philology, where history, science, and aesthetics collide in the quest to uncover the enduring ideals of antiquity amidst modern skepticism a…
Level C1HistoricalHistory of English Humour, Vol. 1: With an Introduction upon Ancient HumourExplore the elusive nature of English humour as it unfolds through history, philosophy, and psychology, revealing the subtle laws and multifaceted character behind what makes us la…
Level C1HistoricalHistory as literature, and other essaysExplore the intersection of history, science, and literature through a series of thoughtful essays and addresses that argue for the vivid, literary presentation of historical and s…
Level C1HistoricalHistoria CalamitatumAmid the vibrant intellectual and spiritual awakening of the twelfth century, a brilliant mind navigates the tensions of feudalism, religion, and emerging philosophy, revealing the…
Level C1HistoricalHieroglyphicsIn a shadowed London retreat, a reclusive hermit shares mystical philosophies and esoteric secrets with a curious visitor, revealing a world where ancient wisdom and unseen visions…
Level C1PhilosophyHieroA poet visits Hiero, a tyrant turned monarch, to explore the true nature of despotic life versus that of ordinary citizens, uncovering surprising insights into the pleasures and pa…
Level B2PhilosophyHereticsExplore a provocative critique of modern society’s shifting values, where being “heretical” means clarity and courage, and “orthodoxy” implies error.
Level C2PhilosophyHerder's conception of "das Volk"Explore the rich historical and linguistic roots of the German term "Volk," tracing its evolution from ancient Germanic languages to its broader cultural and philosophical meanings…
Level C1PhilosophyHebrew LiteratureExplore the profound spiritual and philosophical depths of Hebrew literature, from vivid poetic songs praising peace and divine favor to the mystical Kabbalah's intricate teachings…
Level C1PhilosophyGorgiasSocrates challenges the nature of rhetoric and its claim to power, exposing it as mere flattery beneath a deeper moral debate on true art, justice, and the soul’s well-being.
Level B2PhilosophyGod's Country: The Trail to HappinessAlone in a remote wilderness cabin, a man reflects on humanity’s restless search for spiritual truth amid a world torn by doubt and division, as he prepares to share his personal d…
Level C1PoetryGodExplore a groundbreaking theology that harmonizes science, nature, and spirituality, unveiling the dynamic union of love and wisdom as the driving force behind existence and evolut…
Level C1PhilosophyGleanings from MaeterlinckDelve into profound reflections on death and existence, as a quest unfolds to understand the mysteries that shadow human life and the enduring legacy beyond the grave.
Level C1FantasyGiphantia: Or a View of What Has Passed, What Is Now Passing, and, During the Present Century, What Will Pass, in the World.A daring traveler ventures into the scorching deserts beyond Guinea, enduring a terrifying sandstorm, only to discover a hidden, fertile plain filled with unexpected wonders.
Level C2PhilosophyGiordano BrunoOn Pentecost in a Paris dominated by Italian influence, a young Dominican monk challenges orthodox beliefs with radical ideas about the Spirit’s freedom and the unity of the visibl…
Level C1HistoricalGalen: On the Natural FacultiesExplore the foundations of ancient Greek medicine as this work delves into the teachings of Hippocrates and Galen, revealing the origins of healing arts, clinical observation, and…
Level C1PhilosophyFriends in Council — First SeriesIn a serene countryside setting, two former pupils engage in thoughtful, wide-ranging conversations that explore philosophy, ambition, and the complexities of intellectual friendsh…
Level C1PhilosophyFree Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and ConductChallenge the complacency of modern society with sharp critiques on education, morality, and religion, exposing the superficiality of the so-called cultured elite and questioning t…
Level C1PhilosophyFour Americans: Roosevelt, Hawthorne, Emerson, WhitmanExplore the vivid lives and philosophies of four towering American figures—Roosevelt’s relentless vigor, Hawthorne’s dark imagination, Emerson’s transcendental insights, and Whitma…
Level C1PhilosophyFlamesValentine Cresswell, known as the "Saint of Victoria Street," lives a life governed by intellectual refinement rather than passion, struggling with his detachment from the sensual…
Level C1HistoricalFathers and SonsA fierce ideological clash unfolds as the nihilist Bazarov challenges the fading Russian aristocracy, igniting tension between the conservative older generation and the rebellious…
Level C1HistoricalFathers and ChildrenGenerations clash in a Russian provincial town where a young nihilist returns home, challenging the old order with radical ideas and stirring tensions between fathers and sons.
Level C1PhilosophyFashionable Philosophy, and Other SketchesIn a lively London drawing-room, fashionable guests gather to debate the religion of the future, revealing the clash between social pretension, emerging philosophies, and the searc…
Level C1HistoricalFancy's Show-Box (From "Twice Told Tales")An aging man confronts a haunting question: can guilt stain the soul from mere thoughts, without deeds?
Level B2PhilosophyEvery-day heroismA young boy battles a day filled with setbacks and frustration, learning from his mother that true heroism lies in conquering inner struggles and mastering self-control amidst life…
Level C1PhilosophyEvergreensAmid nature’s changing seasons, discover the quiet strength of the evergreens—steadfast souls who endure life’s storms with unyielding loyalty and resilience, offering a profound r…
Level C1HistoricalEve's Diary, Part 2In a vivid diary, Eve explores her emotions, nature’s beauty, and the mysterious man who seems indifferent to her world, while she discovers the wondrous and dangerous element of f…
Level C1PhilosophyEuthyphroSocrates confronts Euthyphro, who is prosecuting his own father for murder, to unravel the true meaning of piety before his own trial for impiety.
Level C1PhilosophyEuthydemusTwo sophists engage in witty, paradox-filled debates that challenge the nature of knowledge and logic, revealing the roots of fallacious reasoning in philosophy’s infancy.
Level C2PhilosophyEureka: A Prose PoemEmbark on a profound exploration of the universe's essence, origin, and destiny, blending physical, metaphysical, and mathematical insights into a sweeping vision that challenges c…
Level C1HistoricalEuphorion - Vol. II: Being Studies of the Antique and the Mediaeval in the RenaissanceExplore the intricate balance between realism and idealism in Renaissance portrait art, revealing how artists blend decorative beauty with faithful likeness to capture both the rea…
Level C1PhilosophyEssays, or discourses, vol. 4 (of 4)Explore surprising paradoxes in natural philosophy that challenge conventional beliefs, such as elemental fire not being the hottest and air being colder than commonly thought, rev…
Level C1PhilosophyEssays, or discourses, vol. 2 (of 4)A newly appointed judge receives a stern letter from his father, warning of the heavy burdens and moral challenges that come with dispensing justice impartially.
Level C1PhilosophyEssays, or discourses, vol. 1 (of 4)Explore a collection of thoughtful discourses from a learned Spanish clergyman, addressing philosophy, history, and society with candor and wide-ranging knowledge, while thoughtful…
Level C2PhilosophyEssays — First SeriesExplore the boundless human spirit as it connects individual experience with the vast tapestry of history, revealing how every thought, law, and revolution reflects the universal m…
Level C1PhilosophyEssays on Life, Art and ScienceExplore thought-provoking essays that delve into the intersections of life, art, and science, challenging established ideas on evolution, creativity, and language while inviting re…
Level C1PhilosophyEssays by Ralph Waldo EmersonExplore profound reflections on self-reliance, nature, and intellectual independence as a thinker challenges conventional beliefs and inspires a new American philosophy grounded in…
Level C1PhilosophyEssays and soliloquiesConfined on a stark island by an oppressive regime, a passionate thinker reflects on identity, creativity, and the interplay between life and art.
Level C1PhilosophyEssays and DialoguesExplore profound philosophical dialogues and essays that challenge human wisdom and culture, revealing timeless truths through conversations between legendary figures and abstract…
Level C1PhilosophyEssays Before a SonataDive into a profound exploration of music and Transcendental philosophy as a pioneering composer unpacks the spiritual and intellectual essence behind his revolutionary piano sonat…
Level C1PhilosophyEryxiasIn the bustling portico of Zeus, Socrates and companions debate the true nature of wealth and power, exploring early ideas that anticipate modern political economy amid the tension…
Level C1FantasyErewhon Revisited Twenty Years Later, Both by the Original Discoverer of the Country and by His SonTwenty years after a daring balloon escape shakes Erewhon’s society, a new religion emerges around the miraculous event, challenging old beliefs and igniting profound cultural uphe…
Level C1PhilosophyEqualityExploring the complex evolution of equality, this philosophical treatise challenges the popular notion that all men are created equal, tracing its roots through history, society, a…