Showing titles in History

At the age of eight, Karl Popper was puzzling over the idea of infinity and by fifteen was beginning to take a keen interest in his father's well-stocked library of books. Unended Quest recounts these moments and many others in the life of one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth...

For centuries, Stoicism was the unofficial religion of the Roman world. The stress on endurance, self-restraint, and power of the will to withstand calamity can often seem cold-hearted. It is Epictetus, a lame former slave exiled by Emperor Domitian, who offers the most precise and humane version of Stoic ideals. The Discourses, assembled by his pupil Arrian, catch him in action, publicly setting out his views on ethical dilemmas. Enchiridion, or Manual, is a distillation of his teachings and an essential manual for those seeking contentment.

Aristotle famously maintains in his treatise "On the Soul" that there are three kinds of living things―plants, animals, and humans―and he speaks of each kind as having a soul. Nowadays, however, many thinkers reject them on the grounds that they are incompatible with modern science. Molecular biology is seen as affording a superior way of categorizing life forms.

A concise and illuminating book about the Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza, one of the early thinkers of the Enlightenment and modern biblical criticism. Spinoza's theoretical philosophy is one of the most radical attempts to construct a pure ontology with a single infinite substance. This book...

Philosophy: The Basics gently eases the listener into the world of philosophy. Each chapter considers a key area of philosophy, explaining and exploring the basic ideas and themes, including: Can you prove God exists? How do we know right from wrong? What are the limits of free speech? Do you...

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius offers profound insights into Stoic philosophy. In these writings, the Roman Emperor contemplates themes of virtue, resilience, and inner peace, guiding listeners on how to live a life of purpose and integrity.

 A History of Western Philosophy and Theology is the fruit of John Frame's 45 years of teaching philosophical subjects. No other survey of the history of Western thought offers the same invigorating blend of expositional clarity, critical insight, and biblical wisdom. 

A wide-ranging philosophical and practical guide to incorporating the wisdom of ancient philosophers into daily modern life. How can I live a good life? Who do I want to become? And how do I get there? These are some of life's biggest questions. But they can be hard to think through. Fortunately...

The Outward Path refers to the central insight that our true desire as human beings is not really for "happiness," a fleeting mood. What we really want is a rich and worthwhile life, which we can only achieve by pursuing an outward path of engagement with other people.

The Stoic philosopher Musonius Rufus was one of the most influential teachers of his era, imperial Rome, and his message still resonates with startling clarity today. Alongside Stoics like Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, he emphasized ethics in action, displayed in all aspects of life. Merely learning philosophical doctrine and listening to lectures, they believed, will not do one any good unless one manages to interiorize the teachings and apply them to daily life.

Feeling overwhelmed by stress, negativity, or chaos? It's time to take control of your mind and rediscover your inner strength! Stoicism for Beginners: A Complete Collection of Daily Stoic Wisdom is your ultimate guide to calm, clarity, and confidence—through every twist and turn life may bring.

Read by the author, Donald J. Robertson. 'One of the best books ever written on the power and practicality of philosophy for building a good and successful life' Tom Morris, bestselling author of Plato's Lemonade Stand and Stoicism for Dummies How can we apply the teachings of the greatest...

The last hundred years of scientific and philosophical thought have caused dramatic upheavals in how we view our universe, our spiritual beliefs, and ourselves. Out of the Labyrinth brings fresh insight and understanding to this difficult problem. In clear and accessible language, Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters) demonstrates the genuine compatibility of scientific and religious values, and how science and our most cherished moral values actually enrich and reinforce one another.

“Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius is a timeless collection of philosophical reflections written by the Roman Emperor during moments of solitude and self-examination. Rooted in Stoic philosophy, the work explores themes such as self-discipline, mortality, resilience, and the pursuit of virtue amidst the burdens of leadership. This edition features the classic English translation by Meric Casaubon, whose 17th-century prose preserves the gravity, elegance, and moral clarity of the original text.

The Zhuangzi—an anthology of anonymous writings produced in China between the fourth and second centuries BC—is one of the world's great literary treasures and the single most important source for early Daoist philosophy. It has exerted a profound influence on Chinese thought, literature, and culture, inspiring philosophy, poetry, idioms, proverbs, and even visual art.

Plato. Aquinas. Descartes. Kant. Freud. These great thinkers are still impacting the culture today—from public-policy decisions to world events, theology, the arts, education, and even everyday conversations. In this classic book, the late R. C. Sproul expertly surveys history's most influential streams of thought, proving that ideas are not just passing fads—they have consequences for generations to come. Helping readers better understand how many of these ideas have shaped their own thinking, this audiobook will empower Christians to be a Christlike influence in the world.

Brought to you by Penguin. Modern life encourages us to pursue the perfect identity. Whether we aspire to become the best lawyer or charity worker, life partner or celebrity influencer, we emulate exemplars that exist in the world – hoping it will bring us happiness. But this often leads to a...

Can we make ourselves into better human beings? Can we help others do the same? And can we get the leaders of our society to care that humanity prospers, not just economically, but also spiritually? These questions have been asked for over two millennia and attempting to answer them is crucial if we want to live a better life and build a more just society. How to Be Good uses the story of Socrates and Alcibiades and examples from Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius and Machiavelli, alongside modern interpretations to explore what philosophy can teach us about the quest for virtue today.

Bloomsbury presents Why Plato Matters Now written and read by Angie Hobbs. Professor Angie Hobbs proves in this persuasive and intelligent book that Plato is more relevant than ever. Does Plato matter? An ancient philosopher whose work has inspired and informed countless thinkers and poets...

Master emotional resilience and practical philosophy to stay grounded when modern life throws you into chaos. Whether you are battling workplace anxiety on your morning commute or navigating exhausting personal conflicts, this grounding audio experience transforms overwhelming stress into...