Philosophy Books

The aphorisms that make up the philosophy of war and strategy by Sun Tzu have, several centuries later, become a must-read for young professionals in business. Though the text can be applied to the ruthless world of commerce, this translation by Thomas Cleary contextualizes the teachings in the Taoist tradition, enabling the work to transcend the simple co-opting of the philosophy for business strategies. By clarifying the philosophical origins, Cleary makes the text applicable not only to winning a literal war but also to almost any conflict-resolution situation, as well as to achieving goals in life. Though the text deals with many pragmatic issues in war, ranging in topics from "Strategic Assessments, "Armed Struggle," and "The Use of Spies," much of the text is rooted in the idea that the greatest victory is won without having to do battle. At times, the material approaches these subjects in very practical terms, but the underlying message is that of surpassing unnecessary physical and emotional strain with deep understanding of the given situation. Because of the simplicity of the original text, there is much room for interpretation. The translation utilizes commentary from 11 ancient scholars elaborating on each aphorism with a more complete interpretation.

Rawls, a noted philosopher and recipient of a 1999 National Humanities Medal, examines justice in society through the prism of utilitarianism and social contract theory. His classic work of moral philosophy and ethics is drawn from journal essays written over a number of years, and is divided into three parts: Theory, Institutions, and Ends.

In his most famous work, THE PRINCE (Il Principe), Machiavelli described the ideal prince and encouraged the people of Italy to imagine what it might be like if such a person led a unified Italy. Written in 1513 and published posthumously in 1532, THE PRINCE has been interpreted both as a genuine handbook for potential rulers and as a satirical portrait of certain prevailing styles of leadership of the time. Instead of advocating a sense of moral obligation to one's constituents, Machiavelli believed that it is far better for a leader to be feared than liked. He believed that the ends justify the means, and deceit, ruthlessness, and greed are acceptable in the interest of maintaining power. Though THE PRINCE may have influenced Hitler and Mussolini, the Machiavellian principles outlined in it have earned the work a place on many, if not most, lists of required reading for government and political science courses.

A series of interviews that Bill Moyers conducted with Joseph Campbell near the end of the scholar's life. They range across his writings and serve as a summing up. Each chapter has a focus on one aspect of myth as reflected in Campbell's writings and each conversation brings out the idea that myths go across time and are present in modern, everyday life.

First published in 1979, this is a genuine interdisciplinary work of nonfiction, with dozens of historical references and subtexts. Critics and reviewers have summed up its meaning in varying ways, yet consistently with praise. A mixture of art, philosophy, music, math, technology, and cognitive science, the book's title only reflects one aspect of its subject matter; namely, the connection between the work of mathematician Kurt Gödel, the artist M. C. Escher, and the composer J. S. Bach. In the preface to the 20th-anniversary edition, the author calls his book "a very personal attempt to say how it is that animate beings can come out of inanimate matter." A 1980 Pulitzer Prize winner.

In Plato's "Republic", his most celebrated "dialogue," the philosopher condemns the justice and morality of Greek society after the trial and execution of his teacher, Socrates. Disillusioned with politics and politicians, Plato argued that civilization demanded truly enlightened government, led by philosopher-kings. He wrote that "...mankind will have no respite from trouble until either real philosophers gain political power or politicians become by some miracle true philosophers."

Inspired by Machiavelli's instructional book for young princes, this modern guide for business and everyday life tells how to gain, keep, and distribute power.

Self-help expert Wayne Dyer deepens his work in motivation with a creative and insightful new take on the notion of intentionality. Dyer has long been associated with the idea that we are responsible for creating our own lives. He links that with his notion of intention as a kind of energy source in the universe, to which we can connect and use to create our lives in a positive way that is not forced or stressed or driven, but that involves visualization, honesty, and a connection to the spiritual side.