Penguin Classics: Philosophy & Psychology

A Treatise of Human Nature is David Hume's seminal work, where he embarks on an expansive exploration of the complexities of human psychology and the ways in which our minds navigate the world. The book is divided into three parts: the understanding, the passions, and morals, each addressing critical inquiries into human cognition, emotion, and conduct. Published in 1739-40 when...

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...

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a profound philosophical work that transcends time and remains incredibly relevant today. Comprising the innermost thoughts and reflections of Aurelius, who was Emperor of Rome from AD 161 to 180, this book provides timeless wisdom and guidance. Rather than a narrative-driven plot, it consists of personal notes kept by Aurelius, intended as a source of...

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a profound journey into the mind of one of the most revered Roman Emperors. This introspective collection, written in Greek, was never intended for publication and serves as a private journal where Aurelius explores the depths of his philosophical reflections. As a ruler of a vast empire, he faced immense challenges and responsibilities, and these...

Being Happy by Epicurus is a timeless collection that delves into the profound teachings of one of the most influential philosophers of antiquity. Epicurus, the father of Epicureanism, presents his thoughts on the nature of happiness, the methods to achieve it, and the role of philosophy as a therapeutic tool. Through his exploration of these themes, Epicurus highlights the importance...

Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche is a profound exploration of morality, truth, and the essence of human existence. Departing radically from traditional Western philosophy, Nietzsche embarks on a daring critique of centuries-old beliefs. He challenges the moral foundations and metaphysical assumptions that have shaped Western thought. In this pivotal work, Nietzsche dismantles the dichotomous concepts of "good" and...

City of God by Saint Augustine of Hippo is a seminal work that has had a profound impact on the history of Western thought. This monumental text, crafted by one of the most influential Church Fathers, stands as a significant synthesis of Christian theology and Platonic philosophy, as interpreted by the philosopher Plotinus. Written in the aftermath of the sack...

Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant is an intellectual tour de force that has shaped the course of modern philosophy. First published in 1781, this seminal work explores the limitations and scope of human cognition. Kant investigates the nature of human reason, the foundation of all metaphysical knowledge, and the argument that reason is the source of our understanding...

Aristotle's De Anima (On the Soul) is a seminal work that delves into the profound and intricate nature of the soul, exploring its defining characteristics and functions. Aristotle embarks on a comprehensive examination of living organisms, scrutinising their myriad behaviours, sensory capabilities, and perceptual depth. His quest is to establish a cohesive theory of the soul that integrates the principles...

Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault delves deeply into the history and development of modern penal systems. It explores the transformations in Western societies' approach to punishment, shifting from a grotesque and public spectacle of torture to a more civilised, seemingly humane practice of incarceration. Foucault meticulously traces the evolution of social control mechanisms, presenting a compelling argument that modern...

Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus offers a profound exploration into the principles of Stoic philosophy through the lively and engaging conversations of its author. Epictetus, a Greek Stoic philosopher and former slave, established a renowned school of philosophy in Nicopolis in the early second century AD. His charismatic teachings and astute observations were preserved in writing by his pupil...

Early Greek Philosophy by Jonathan Barnes is a compelling anthology that delves into the very roots of Western philosophical thought. This volume brings together the seminal works of the Pre-Socratic philosophers, whose innovative and bold ideas laid the groundwork for the intellectual developments of Plato, Aristotle, and their successors. The thinkers featured in Early Greek Philosophy are renowned not just...

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...

The Essential Works of Michel Foucault offer the definitive collection of Foucault's articles, interviews, and seminars that span the breadth and depth of his intellectual journey. Encompassing thirty years of his extraordinary career, this first volume, Ethics, introduces readers to the core of Foucault's philosophical explorations on ethical issues. Ethics is more than a mere collection; it is an immersion...

Ethics, published shortly after the death of the Dutch philosopher Benedict Spinoza, stands as his greatest and most impactful work. The book meticulously constructs a holistic philosophical system that delves into the essence of existence and the ethical life. Spinoza employs a rigorous, geometric method, presenting propositions and axioms in a logical progression. This structured approach allows him to systematically...

In God is Dead. God Remains Dead. And We Have Killed Him., renowned philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche explores profound and controversial themes central to the existential movement. The work is a searing critique of religion, morality, and the profound shift in human consciousness that ensues with the death of God. Nietzsche posits a world where traditional beliefs are no longer tenable,...

Human, All Too Human by Friedrich Nietzsche marks a pivotal moment in the oeuvre of one of philosophy's most provocative thinkers. Written during a period of personal crisis after the end of his friendship with Richard Wagner and his departure from academic life due to ill health, this work illuminates Nietzsche's transition into his mature philosophical phase. Far from merely...

Letters from a Stoic by Seneca is a timeless philosophical work that dives deep into the heart and mind of one of Ancient Rome's greatest thinkers. Through a collection of epistolary writings, Seneca, the eminent Stoic philosopher, shares his wisdom and insights on how to lead a meaningful and virtuous life. These letters, originally penned to his friend Lucilius, discuss...

In Letters from a Stoic, Lucius Annaeus Seneca imparts timeless wisdom through a series of epistles addressed to his friend Lucilius. The letters encompass a myriad of topics centred around the moral and ethical underpinnings of Stoic philosophy. Each letter is a profound reflection on life, offering practical advice on how to live virtuously, manage one's emotions, and achieve peace...

In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius - the Roman emperor renowned for his intellect and stoic philosophy - shares his profound inner thoughts, reflections, and wisdom. This collection of personal writings provides readers with a rare glimpse into the mind of a ruler whose musings on life, duty, and virtue were not originally intended for public consumption. Instead, these writings served as...

On the Genealogy of Morals is an essential work for understanding the philosophical revolution brought about by Friedrich Nietzsche. This profound and intellectually stimulating text is a companion to his earlier work Beyond Good and Evil, and it delves deeply into Nietzsche's radical ideas on human psychology and ethics. In a series of three essays, Nietzsche embarks on an incisive...

On Violence is Arendt's influential essay examining the relationship between violence, power, war, and politics, now available in Penguin Modern Classics for the first time. Written in 1970, with the Holocaust and Hiroshima still fresh in recent memory, the war in Vietnam raging, and the streets of Europe and America seething with student protest, Hannah Arendt's now classic work offers...

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...

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...

In Republic, Plato constructs a visionary dialogue that delves deep into the nature of justice, the just man, and the just society. Set in ancient Athens, the narrative follows Socrates as he engages in profound conversations with a diverse group of characters, including Plato's own brothers, Glaucon and Adeimantus. Through a series of intense debates and philosophical inquiries, Socrates seeks...

Society Must Be Defended by Michel Foucault is a compelling examination of power structures within civilisation, delivered through a series of influential lectures at the Collège de France in 1975-76. Foucault utilizes the paradigm of war to dissect and scrutinise power relations, proposing the provocative thesis that politics is essentially an extension of violence prevalent on the battlefield. Through his...

In The Art of Rhetoric, Aristotle delves into the intricacies of the art of persuasion, offering an extensive analysis of rhetoric as a central component of public discourse. The book is divided into three primary sections, each addressing different aspects of rhetoric: the speaker, the audience, and the speech itself. Aristotle's work not only explores the theory behind effective communication...

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,...

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...

Delve into the revolutionary thinking of one of the 20th century's most provocative and influential philosophers with The Foucault Reader. This essential compilation offers a comprehensive introduction to Michel Foucault’s pioneering work, meticulously curated to provide readers with insightful access to his seminal texts and theories. The Foucault Reader features detailed excerpts from Foucault's richly textured historical studies, including his...

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,...

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 Last Days of Socrates by Plato is a profound and gripping account of the trial and eventual execution of one of the greatest philosophers in history. This new translation by Christopher Rowe offers a fresh perspective on the timeless dialogues that capture Socrates' unwavering commitment to his principles and his unique approach to life and death. Set in 399...

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...

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 Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle is one of the most significant works in the history of Western philosophy. In this seminal text, Aristotle embarks on a detailed and nuanced exploration of human morality, virtue, and happiness. The work explores the nature of ethical thought, delving into the question of how men can achieve a good and fulfilling life. Aristotle's treatise...

One of the most influential philosophical classics of all time, The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle remains a cornerstone of Western ethical thought. Composed as a series of lectures given by Aristotle in ancient Greece, this seminal work delves deep into the nature of human goodness, exploring what it means to lead a virtuous life. The discourse ranges widely over core...

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...

Plato's The Republic stands as a seminal text in the realms of philosophy, political theory, and literature. Written during the fourth century B.C., this masterwork has profoundly shaped Western thought for millennia and continues to be exceedingly relevant in contemporary discussions. The narrative unfolds in the form of a dialectical exchange where Socrates engages with various interlocutors to explore and...

The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a seminal work that delves into the fundamental principles of political right and social organization. This thought-provoking book starts with the powerful declaration, "Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains," setting the stage for an exploration of the tension between individual liberty and societal obligations. In an era marked by...

In the course of a lively drinking party, a group of prominent Athenian intellectuals, including philosophers, playwrights, and aristocrats, come together to exchange views on the nature of eros, or desire. The setting of this engaging dialogue is the home of the tragedian Agathon, where the guests take turns delivering speeches that delve into various aspects of love, culminating in...

The Trouble With Being Born by E. M. Cioran is a deeply introspective and profoundly philosophical exploration of the human condition. The book navigates the bleak and often darkly comic territories of existence, examining fundamental questions such as birth, death, the concept of God, the relentless passage of time, the complexity of human relationships, and the daily struggle to find...

The Will to Power is a profound and influential collection of Friedrich Nietzsche's thoughts, detailing some of his most crucial and radical reflections on philosophy. The text delves deep into the recesses of nihilism, metaphysics, the philosophy of morality, and the future of Europe, alongside Nietzsche’s enduring concept of the 'will to power'. The idea proposes that the main driving...

Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche is a profound exploration of philosophical thoughts, conveyed through the allegorical journey of its protagonist, Zarathustra. It follows Zarathustra's descent from his mountain hermitage to share his wisdom with humanity, articulating revolutionary ideas about the human condition, morality, and the potential for human greatness. Through a series of discourses and parables, Zarathustra encounters various...

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...

What Is Existentialism? by Simone de Beauvoir provides a profound exploration into the philosophical realm of existentialism, encouraging readers to examine the nature of existence and human freedom. Through meticulous essays and thought-provoking discourse, de Beauvoir delves into the intricacies of how we perceive and interact with the world. The book challenges readers to consider the inherent meaninglessness of life...

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...

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...

46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. Anecdotes of the Cynics It's you who are the dogs... These tales capture the wit and wisdom of the Cynics, exploring their unique philosophical perspectives through engaging anecdotes.

46 new books in the bestselling Little Black Classics series, to celebrate the first ever Penguin Classic in 1946. The Suffragettes Once they are aroused, once they are determined, nothing on earth and nothing in heaven will make women give way; it is impossible.

The Essential Works of Michel Foucault offer the definitive collection of Foucault's articles, interviews, and seminars. Aesthetics, Method, and Epistemology provides a focused study on the philosophy, literature, and art that informed Foucault's engagement with ethics and power. This volume includes brilliant commentaries on the works of de Sade, Rousseau, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, and Wagner.

A new selection of foundational works from the influential philosopher who developed the theory of mimetic desire. René Girard eludes easy categories, bridging the fields of literary criticism, anthropology, sociology, history, religion, and theology. Influencing such writers as J. M. Coetzee and Milan Kundera, his insight into contagious violence looks ever more prophetic and relevant seven years after his death....

Witty and nihilistic essays from one of Central Europe's most remarkable philosophers. A Short History of Decay (1949) is E. M. Cioran's nihilistic and witty collection of aphoristic essays concerning the nature of civilisation in mid 20th-century Europe. Touching upon man's need to worship, the feebleness of God, the downfall of the Ancient Greeks, and the melancholy baseness of all...

A collection that includes some of Camus' most brilliant political writing. This volume contains some of Camus' most powerful political writing as he reflects on moral responsibility and the role of the artist in the world. Letters to a German Friend was Camus' first wartime intervention, written in 1943 in order 'to make our battle more effective'. Reflections on the...

An influential exploration of sex and its surrounding taboos. A philosopher, essayist, novelist, pornographer, and fervent Catholic who came to regard the brothels of Paris as his true 'churches', Georges Bataille ranks among the boldest and most disturbing of twentieth-century thinkers. In this influential study, he links the underlying sexual basis of religion to death, offering a dazzling array of...

This collection captures the essence of a remarkable woman, one of the foremost thinkers of our century. Simone Weil was one of the foremost thinkers of the twentieth century—a philosopher, theologian, critic, sociologist and political activist. This anthology spans the wide range of her thought and includes an extract from her best-known work The Need for Roots, exploring the ways...

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...

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...

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...

Pocket Hardbacks - the new non-fiction series that combines the collectability of Clothbound Classics with the popular spirit of Great Ideas. A Room of One's Own, Woolf's blazing polemic on female creativity, the role of the writer, and the silent fate of Shakespeare's imaginary sister, remains a powerful reminder of a woman's need for financial independence and intellectual freedom.

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...

Beyond Good and Evil demonstrates that the world is steeped in false piety and infected with a 'slave morality'. With wit and subversive energy, Nietzsche demands that the individual impose their own 'will to power' upon the world. One of the most iconoclastic philosophers of all time, Nietzsche dramatically rejected notions of good and evil, truth and God. Beyond Good...

René Descartes was a central figure in the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century. In his Discourse on Method, he outlined the contrast between mathematics and experimental sciences, and the extent to which each one can achieve certainty. Drawing on his own work in geometry, optics, astronomy, and physiology, Descartes developed the hypothetical method that characterises modern science, and this...

First published in 1843 under a pseudonym, Fear and Trembling is written in a quasi-dialogue form in which different facets of Kierkegaard's thought are presented to the reader. Without disclosing his own beliefs, Kierkegaard confronts the reader with various ethical and religious attitudes, but leaves the responsibility of choice open. This new edition provides a chronology of the author's life...

Seen as the original Existentialist, Kierkegaard transformed philosophy with his conviction that we must all create our own nature. Fear and Trembling, his great work of religious anxiety portraying Abraham's sacrifice of his son Isaac, argues that true understanding can only be attained by making a personal 'leap of faith'. In Fear and Trembling, Søren Kierkegaard's infamous and controversial work...

A revised edition of a classic translation, with completely new editorial material. Taking the form of a dialogue between Socrates, Gorgias, Polus, and Callicles, Gorgias debates perennial questions about the nature of government and those who aspire to public office. Are high moral standards essential, or should we give our preference to the pragmatist who gets things done or negotiates...

The Analects are a collection of Confucius's sayings brought together by his pupils shortly after his death in 497 BC. Together, they express a philosophy, or a moral code, by which Confucius, one of the most humane thinkers of all time, believed everyone should live. Upholding the ideals of wisdom, self-knowledge, courage, and love of one's fellow man, he argued...

Nobody in Western civilisation had ever tried to do what Montaigne set out to do. In a vivid, contemporary style, he moves swiftly from thought to thought, often digressing from an idea only to return, having caught up with it elsewhere. In these essays, Montaigne lays out for his contemporaries and for us his plan for how a man might...

The Metaphysics is Aristotle's probing look at the fundamental questions of philosophy. The Metaphysics presents Aristotle's mature rejection of both the Platonic theory that what we perceive is just a pale reflection of reality and the hardheaded view that all processes are ultimately material. He argued instead that the reality or substance of things lies in their concrete forms. In...

The Sickness Unto Death is famed for the depth and acuity of its modern psychological insights. Writing under the pseudonym Anti-Climacus, Kierkegaard explores the concept of 'despair', alerting readers to the diversity of ways in which they may be described as living in this state of bleak abandonment—including some that may seem just the opposite—and offering a much-discussed formula for...

A major new translation by Dominic Baker-Smith of More's perennially popular Latin text. Utopia is Thomas More's work of philosophical fiction, imagining the island of the title, on which thousands live in peace and harmony. Through dialogue and correspondence between Raphael Hythloday and his friends and contemporaries, More explores the theories behind war, political disagreements, social quarrels, and wealth distribution,...

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...

Either/Or is a brilliant exploration of the conflicts inherent in life between living aesthetically and living morally. In Either/Or, using the voices of two characters—the aesthetic young man of part one, called simply 'A', and the ethical Judge Vilhelm of the second section—Kierkegaard reflects upon the search for a meaningful existence. He contemplates subjects as diverse as Mozart, drama, boredom,...

Schopenhauer believed that human action is determined not by reason but by will—the blind and irrational desire for physical existence. These writings depict individuals struggling in a Godless world, in which art, morality, and self-awareness are our only salvation. One of the greatest philosophers of the nineteenth century, Schopenhauer (1788-1860) believed that human action is governed by will rather than...

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...

Regarded as the founder of Neo-Platonism, Plotinus (AD 204-270) was the last great philosopher of antiquity, producing works that proved in many ways a precursor to Renaissance thought. Plotinus was convinced of the existence of a state of supreme perfection and argued powerfully that it was necessary to guide the human soul towards this state. Here he outlines his compelling...

Plato's example of utopia In The Laws, Plato describes in fascinating detail a comprehensive system of legislation in a small agricultural utopia he named Magnesia. His laws not only govern crime and punishment, but also form a code of conduct for all aspects of life in his ideal state - from education, sport, and religion to sexual behaviour, marriage, and...

The perennially popular book of advice on how to achieve personal and professional success, new to Penguin Classics. Written over 350 years ago, The Pocket Oracle and the Art of Prudence is a charming collection of 300 witty and thought-provoking aphorisms. From the art of being lucky to the healthy use of caution, these elegant maxims were created as a...

Fifty new books at £1 each, celebrating the pioneering spirit of the Penguin Modern Classics series, from inspiring essays to groundbreaking fiction and poetry. The Problem that Has No Name poses the question: 'What if she isn't happy - does she think men are happy in this world? Doesn't she know how lucky she is to be a woman?' The...

Edmund Burke was one of the foremost philosophers of the eighteenth century and wrote widely on aesthetics, politics, and society. In this landmark work, he propounds his theory that the sublime and the beautiful should be regarded as distinct and wholly separate states — the first, an experience inspired by fear and awe; the second, an expression of pleasure and...