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 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 C1PhilosophyElements of Criticism, Volume II.Explore the nature of human perception and taste as it examines the delicate sense of congruity and propriety that distinguishes refined behavior, art, and morality from mere appea…
Level C1PhilosophyElements of Criticism, Volume I.Explore how the fine arts, through refined taste and education, unite society and foster virtue amid luxury's challenges, revealing the delicate balance between sensory perception…
Level C1PhilosophyEditorials from the Hearst NewspapersExplore provocative reflections on human nature, society, and progress through a diverse collection of editorials that challenge conventions, question beliefs, and reveal the restl…
Level C1PhilosophyEarth's Holocaust (From "Mosses from an Old Manse")In a vast prairie, a symbolic bonfire consumes the worn-out relics of society’s past—heraldry, nobility, and faded honors—sparking a fierce debate between those clinging to traditi…
Level C1PhilosophyDiscourses of KeidanskyIn a vibrant Ghetto café, a disillusioned social reformer wrestles with shattered ideals and the relentless grip of harsh realities, questioning whether dreams of revolution can su…
Level C1PhilosophyDickory Cronke: The Dumb Philosopher, or, Great Britain's WonderBorn mute and gifted with a sharp mind, Dickory Cronke defies expectations as he quietly shapes his own path amid hardship and mystery.
Level C1PhilosophyDialogues of the DeadIn a series of imagined conversations between historical figures, opposing views on liberty, power, and conscience unfold, revealing the timeless struggles behind political and mor…
Level C1PhilosophyDesultory thoughts and reflectionsExplore profound reflections on love, life, and human nature as the author dissects the complexities of emotions, character, and society with philosophical insight and candid obser…
Level C2PoetryDemocritus PlatonissansDive into a profound poetic exploration where faith and reason intertwine, as the soul's immortality and the divine nature of existence are passionately debated and celebrated thro…
Level C1PhilosophyDecadence, and Other Essays on the Culture of IdeasDive into fearless essays that challenge dogma and tradition, exploring reason, truth, and love through sharp skepticism and provocative insights that dissolve accepted beliefs and…
Level C1PhilosophyDe OfficiisAmid the collapse of the Roman Republic, a statesman turns to philosophy to guide his son through the practical duties of life, blending Greek ethical thought with Roman values to…
Level C1PhilosophyDe Amicitia, Scipio's DreamExplore the nature of true friendship through Laelius’s reflections on loss, virtue, and loyalty, alongside Scipio’s visionary dream revealing the soul’s immortality and the cosmic…
Level C1HistoricalDante: Six SermonsExplore the life and principles of Dante as a philosopher, poet, and social reformer driven by a passionate zeal to unite Italy and uplift humanity through virtue and truth, blendi…
Level C1HistoricalDante: "The Central Man of All the World": A Course of Lectures Delivered Before the Student Body of the New York State College for Teachers, Albany, 1919, 1920Explore Dante’s Divine Comedy through a journey across medieval Italy, uncovering timeless struggles of the human soul and the spiritual battles that shape every individual’s quest…
Level C1HistoricalDante. An essay. To which is added a translation of De Monarchia.Explore the origins and impact of the Divina Commedia, tracing the personal history and political context behind Dante's monumental work and his treatise De Monarchia, illuminating…
Level C1HistoricalDante and the early astronomersExplore the captivating intersection of astronomy and poetry as a medieval scholar turns to ancient texts and celestial wonders for solace and enlightenment, revealing the profound…
Level C1PhilosophyCrotchet CastleIn a witty satire blending philosophy and social critique, a cast of eccentric characters debates reform, knowledge, and poetry amid the turbulence of early 19th-century England.
Level C1PhilosophyCritoAs Socrates faces execution, his friend Crito urges him to escape, but Socrates weighs the duty to justice and the laws of Athens against the instinct for survival, exploring the t…
Level C1HistoricalCritical, Historical, and Miscellaneous Essays; Vol. 2: With a Memoir and IndexExplore sharp critiques and spirited debates on government, utilitarianism, and society through a series of essays dissecting influential thinkers and their philosophies, revealing…
Level C1PhilosophyCritical Miscellanies, Vol. 1, Essay 5: EmersonExplore the life and philosophy of a profound thinker who embraced intuition and ethical imagination over systematic doctrine, shaping a spiritual quest for truth that transcends t…
Level C1PhilosophyCritiasAmidst a mythical struggle between ancient Athens and the vast island of Atlantis, gods and heroes shape a world where wisdom, virtue, and war intertwine.
Level C1PhilosophyCratylusPhilosophers debate whether words are naturally linked to their meanings or are mere conventions, exploring the origins and nature of language through wit and skepticism.
Level C1PoetryCowley's EssaysExplore the early life and poetic development of a young scholar whose passion for verse blooms amidst the fields, friendships, and academic trials of 17th-century England.
Level C2PoetryCosmosJourney through the ages as humanity grapples with the mysteries of life, death, and the cosmos, challenging old creeds and seeking truth beyond superstition and science.
Level C1PhilosophyConcord DaysStep into the quiet reflections of a thinker who finds home and self intertwined in the rhythms of daily life, architecture, and nature.
Level C2PhilosophyComplete Works of Plutarch — Volume 3: Essays and MiscellaniesExplore profound reflections on nature, the universe, and the soul through philosophical essays that investigate the essence of existence, the cosmos, and human perception, invitin…
Level C1PhilosophyCompensationIn a world where justice seems delayed and the wicked prosper, explore a philosophy that reveals an unseen law balancing all actions through the soul’s presence and will, offering…
Level C1PhilosophyCicero's Tusculan Disputations: Also, Treatises On The Nature Of The Gods, And On The CommonwealthIn the wake of personal tragedy, a Roman statesman retreats to his villa to engage in profound dialogues on death, pain, virtue, and happiness, exploring how philosophy can guide a…
Level C1HistoricalCicero's Brutus or History of Famous Orators; also His Orator, or Accomplished Speaker.Explore a masterful dialogue tracing the lives and speeches of Greece and Rome’s greatest orators, set against the backdrop of Roman history and eloquence.
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 5: Miscellaneous Later EssaysExplore the passionate defense of individual liberty against society’s constraints, reflecting on the evolution of freedom from John Stuart Mill’s era to modern England, questionin…
Level C1HistoricalChips from a German Workshop, Volume 1: Essays on the Science of ReligionExplore the origins of human thought and religion as they unfold through ancient languages and traditions, revealing timeless elements that shape belief and understanding across cu…
Level C2PoetryChinese literatureJourney through ancient Chinese wisdom with the teachings of Confucius, the poetic odes of the Shi-King, and the epic travels of Fâ-hien, revealing a rich tapestry of philosophy, h…
Level C1RomanceChaucer's Works, Volume 2 — Boethius and TroilusImprisoned and awaiting execution, a philosopher confronts fate and seeks solace in reason, exploring fortune, free will, and the divine order.
Level C1PhilosophyCharmidesA probing dialogue challenges the nature of wisdom and self-knowledge as Socrates engages Charmides in a philosophical inquiry about temperance and the true meaning of virtue.
Level C1PhilosophyCato Maior de Senectute with Introduction and NotesDelve into a rich dialogue on aging and friendship, exploring timeless Roman philosophy and ethical reflections amid the cultural shifts of Cicero’s era.
Level C1PhilosophyBunyan Characters (1st Series)Explore the profound nature of moral character through vivid portraits inspired by Bunyan’s timeless figures, as this philosophical inquiry unpacks how acts shape habits, and habit…
Level C1HistoricalBrowning as a Philosophical and Religious TeacherExplore the profound moral and religious philosophy woven through Browning’s poetry, where poetic art meets deep ethical inquiry and idealistic faith, inviting readers to consider…
Level C1HistoricalBrowning and His CenturyExplore the intense 19th-century clash between mind and spirit as evolving scientific knowledge challenges inherited religious and moral traditions, revealing a profound struggle s…
Level B2PhilosophyBorn AgainA man reflects on an act of selfless kindness witnessed on a Detroit street, inspiring a life story filled with travel, conflict, and a quest for truth beyond conventional beliefs.
Level C1PhilosophyBoon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump;: Being a First Selection from the Literary Remains of George Boon, Appropriate to the TimesAmidst the turmoil of war, a forgotten writer’s fragmented manuscripts surface, revealing provocative reflections on society, literature, and the future.
Level C1PhilosophyBook of Wise Sayings: Selected Largely from Eastern SourcesDiscover timeless wisdom drawn from Eastern epics, Buddhist teachings, and Persian poetry, offering concise aphorisms on benevolence, patience, and the pursuit of true happiness to…
Level C1PhilosophyBones and IA solitary thinker finds unexpected companionship in "Bones," a perfect skeleton with an imposing presence and impeccable tact, as he reflects on isolation, society, and the human…
Level C1PhilosophyBohemian SocietyIn a secluded valley untouched by the outside world, a harmonious community thrives on simplicity, shared labor, and spiritual unity.
Level C1PhilosophyBacon's Essays, and Wisdom of the AncientsDive into timeless reflections on human nature, politics, and philosophy through sharp essays and mythological fables that reveal the wisdom behind ancient stories and practical ad…
Level C1HistoricalBaconA brilliant mind driven by a passionate quest for knowledge rises to great heights, yet struggles with personal flaws and moral compromises in a turbulent political world.
Level C1PhilosophyBack to Methuselah: A Metabiological PentateuchExplore the tumultuous dawn of Darwinism and the clash between tradition and modern science as society grapples with evolution, heredity, and the shifting foundations of knowledge…
Level C1PhilosophyAt LargeA solitary bachelor escapes the constraints of society by retreating to a quiet country home in the mysterious fenlands, seeking freedom, friendship, and the elusive solace of soli…
Level C1PhilosophyAriosto, Shakespeare and CorneilleExplore the distinct poetic spirits of Ariosto, Shakespeare, and Corneille through a profound philosophical lens that delves into the essence of aesthetic intuition and the autonom…