Penguin Classics: Philosophy & Psychology

There are certain words which possess, in themselves, when properly used, a virtue which illumines and lifts up towards the good. In these selected writings by Simone Weil—philosopher, activist, mystic—she explores the influence of language employed by the powerful, an individual's rights and responsibilities, and foods of the soul such as liberty, truth, security, and equality. Provocative, eloquent, and deeply...

I have relinquished all that ties me to the world, but the one thing that still haunts me is the beauty of the sky. These simple, inspiring writings by three medieval Buddhist monks offer peace and wisdom amid the world's uncertainties, and are an invitation to relinquish earthly desires and instead taste life in the moment. GREAT IDEAS. Throughout history,...

One Swallow Does Not Make a Summer: 'One swallow does not make a summer; neither does one day. Similarly neither can one day, or a brief space of time, make a man blessed and happy.' How can one live well in the world? What does it mean to be happy? In this selection from The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle probes the...

A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart states that 'far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, the command to love one's enemy is an absolute necessity for our survival.' Advocating love as strength and non-violence as the most powerful weapon there is, these sermons and writings from the heart of the civil rights movement exhibit Martin Luther...

Schiller's famous treatise on art, politics and society On the Aesthetic Education of Man is one of the most profound works of German philosophy, in which Friedrich Schiller analyses politics, revolution and the history of ideas to define the relationship between beauty and art. Resulting from Schiller's deep disillusionment with the course of the French Revolution and expressed as a...

Descartes was prepared to go to any lengths in his search for certainty—even to deny those things that seemed most self-evident. In his Meditations of 1641, and in the Objections and Replies that were included with the original publication, he set out to dismantle and then reconstruct the idea of the individual self and its existence. In doing so, Descartes...

Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life The Decay of Lying includes two of Wilde's most comprehensive—and witty—explorations of his aesthetic philosophy: The Decay of Lying and The Critic as Artist. GREAT IDEAS. Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves—and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war, and...

Composed in the twelfth century in north-eastern Iran, Attar's great mystical poem is among the most significant of all works of Persian literature. A marvellous, allegorical rendering of the Islamic doctrine of Sufism—an esoteric system concerned with the search for truth through God—it describes the consequences of the conference of the birds of the world when they meet to begin...

New to the Penguin Pocket Hardbacks series - books that have changed the history of thought, in sumptuous, clothbound editions. In Utopia, Thomas More gives us a traveller's account of a newly discovered island where the inhabitants enjoy a social order based on natural reason and justice, and human fulfilment is open to all. As the traveller, Raphael, describes the...

New to the Penguin Pocket Hardbacks series - books that have changed the history of thought, in sumptuous, clothbound editions. Writing in an age when the call for the rights of man had brought revolution to America and France, Mary Wollstonecraft produced her own declaration of female independence in 1792. Passionate and forthright, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman...

Why I am a Stoic 90 classic titles celebrating 90 years of Penguin Books Plagued by ill-health, violently sick at sea, irritated by renovation costs — Seneca is never less than sympathetically human. In these letters written 2000 years ago, the ancient philosopher speaks to the reader today with lucidity and warmth. Whether advising on how to live a good...

90 classic titles celebrating 90 years of Penguin Books I must die. But must I die bawling? What does it mean to live a virtuous life? How can we rise above pain and anguish? In these teachings from Book 1 of his Discourses, ancient philosopher Epictetus outlines a practical approach to Stoicism that has inspired thinkers for centuries, from Marcus...

90 classic titles celebrating 90 years of Penguin Books No thinking person can or does genuinely keep out of politics, in an age like the present one. Unfailingly wise and often startlingly prophetic, George Orwell's essays are masterpieces of plain English prose. This stirring new collection brings together his most cherished pieces with lesser-known gems, ranging over everything from tree...

Little Black Classics - the new series to celebrate Penguin's 80th anniversary Socrates' Defence 'I'll stop doing it as soon as I understand what I'm doing.'

Aphorisms on Love and Hate is part of the Little Black Classics series, introduced to commemorate Penguin's 80th anniversary. 'We must learn to love, learn to be kind, and this from our earliest youth ... Likewise, hatred must be learned and nurtured, if one wishes to become a proficient hater.'

The brilliant writings of a highly influential Greek philosopher, with a foreword by Daniel Klein, author of Travels with Epicurus. The teachings of Epicurus—about life and death, religion and science, physical sensation, happiness, morality, and friendship—attracted legions of adherents throughout the ancient Mediterranean world and deeply influenced later European thought. Though Epicurus faced hostile opposition for centuries after his death,...

The trial and condemnation of Socrates on charges of heresy and corrupting young minds is a defining moment in the history of Classical Athens. In tracing these events through four dialogues, Plato also developed his own philosophy, based on Socrates' manifesto for a life guided by self-responsibility. Euthyphro finds Socrates outside the court-house, debating the nature of piety, while The...

Set against the backdrop of the days leading up to the trial and execution of Socrates in 399 BC, Theaetetus is a profound philosophical dialogue penned by Plato. The narrative revolves around a conversation between Socrates, Theodorus the geometrician, and Theaetetus, an earnest and promising youth. Together, they embark on a quest to explore the essence of knowledge, making this...

In Twilight of Idols and Anti-Christ, Friedrich Nietzsche presents two of his most provocative and critical works. These texts offer a penetrating analysis of the philosophical and religious ideas that dominated his era. Twilight of Idols serves as an incisive critique of the cultural and intellectual norms of Nietzsche's time. Subtitled "How to Philosophize with a Hammer," the book delivers...

One of the greatest philosophical works of all time, in a new translation for the twenty-first century. Widely regarded as one of the most influential philosophical works of the twentieth century, Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is a succinct yet wide-ranging exploration of language and logic, science and mysticism, which has inspired generations of thinkers, artists and poets. In a series...

The Politics by Aristotle delves into the core questions of political science, offering profound insights into the nature of human society and governance. Rather than presenting a linear plot, the book is a comprehensive analysis of political structures and their impact on society. Aristotle meticulously examines various city constitutions, including oligarchies, democracies, and tyrannies, evaluating each system's strengths and weaknesses...

The Nature of Things by Lucretius is a profound exploration of the natural world and our place in it. This epic poem, composed in the 1st-century BC, offers a comprehensive examination of the universe, nature, and the human soul through a combination of scientific inquiry, philosophical discourse, and lyrical poetry. Lucretius embarks on a poetic journey to explain the workings...

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus explores one of the most profound philosophical questions: Is life worth living? Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Second World War, Camus delves into the existential crisis faced by humanity, particularly the struggle to find meaning in a world devoid of higher purpose. Through a captivating blend of philosophical discourse and literary...

Friedrich Nietzsche’s The Joyous Science is an intellectual journey that invites readers to explore themes of life, art, ethics, and individuality. This philosophical masterwork is celebrated for its candid and fervent engagement with the essence of human existence. Nietzsche beckons readers into a world where traditional values and beliefs are dismantled, culminating in the radical declaration that ‘God is dead’....

The Freedom to Be Free by Hannah Arendt is a compelling compilation of three thought-provoking essays. The book delves deep into the essence of freedom and its intrinsic connection to politics. Arendt, one of the most influential political philosophers of the twentieth century, presents a stirring argument that true freedom can only be achieved within the realm of political life,...

The Consolation of Philosophy by Ancius Boethius is a profound philosophical work that intricately weaves together prose and verse to explore some of the most enduring questions of human existence. The narrative centres around Boethius himself, once a prominent public figure and a distinguished scholar, who finds solace in philosophy during a period of great personal adversity. Imprisoned on charges...

The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche delves into the heart of ancient Greek culture, shedding light on its glorious artistic achievements, particularly in the realm of tragedy. In this profound exploration, Nietzsche grapples with the sombre beauty that lies within Greek tragedies, examining the interplay between two opposing artistic forces: the Apollonian, representing order and rationality, and the Dionysian,...

Reflections on the Guillotine, a profound essay by philosopher and writer Albert Camus, delves into the heart of the moral and ethical implications of the death penalty. The narrative confronts the brutal reality of execution in a deeply personal and philosophical exploration, revealing the psychological torment faced by both the condemned and those who administer capital punishment. Through detailed arguments...

The third and final instalment in the Essential Works of Foucault series, Power explores the compelling and profound writings of Michel Foucault on key issues that have shaped Western political and social discourse. This volume offers an expansive collection of Foucault's articles, interviews, and seminars that delve into the intricate dynamics of power in society. He scrutinises institutions such as...

Delve into the profound and thought-provoking world of Essays and Aphorisms by Arthur Schopenhauer, one of the most pivotal figures in nineteenth-century philosophy. Schopenhauer explores a variety of themes in this collection, providing profound insights into religion, ethics, politics, the nature of women, and much more. Rather than being driven by reason, Schopenhauer posits that human actions are compelled by...

Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud is a groundbreaking philosophical and psychological treatise that delves into the complex relationship between individual psyche and societal expectations. In this influential work, Freud grapples with the perpetual struggle between man's quest for personal happiness and the restrictive demands of civilized society. He meticulously examines how human beings cope with such dichotomies, exploring...