Philosophy Top Ten
1. Pierre Hadot: What is Ancient Philosophy? - Beautiful analysis of the Socratic approach to philosophy as a personal and upbuilding activity. Articulates the paradigm of philosophy which often has been neglected by the academic tradition of our times and at the same time is vital for our times.
2. Annie Cohen-Solal: Sartre - Mesmerizing story of one of philosophy's most intriguing superstar figures.
3. George Steiner: Heidegger - This is such an illuminating, accessible and warmly-written book on one of greatest thinkers of all time.
4. Alain de Botton: Consolations of Philosophy - Perhaps the best introduction for a layman to philosophy that has come out in English in recent years.
5. André Comte-Sponville: A Small Treatise on the Great Virtues - Insightful discussion on virtues, inspiring to read chapter by chapter rather than as a push-through process.
6. Isaiah Berlin: The Hedgehog and the Fox - This short essay, by one of the masters of writing and classical learning, demonstrates the magnitude of Tolstoy, and through him, of the truly great.
7. Charles Taylor: The Ethics of Authenticity - Taylor combines academic discipline with a warm, human heart, passion to articulate ethics for our times.
8. Karl R. Popper: The Open Society and Its Enemies - Continuously absolutely relevant.
9. Plato: Faidon - Platon in full swing.
10. Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics - This book will always be read by people that want to undestand each other, themselves and the foundations of our human condition.
Sites to check:
Lebenskunstphilosophie - Wilhelm Schmidt
Mike Sandbothe's Media Philosophy.