Many of the best philosophical works are clear and concise, packing tons of wisdom into a short space. Anybody can read them.
6 Easy Philosophy Books to start your journey of enlightenment 🧵
1. The Apology, Plato
The Apology details Socrates’ trial shortly before his execution. It’s a prime example of the Socratic dialogue and, because Socrates left no writings, it's essential to understanding the life and teachings of the “Father of Philosophy.”
2. Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle
Plato's student, Aristotle, explores how best to live a good life. He explains that “the good'' is ultimately the goal to which all man’s actions aim. His work is foundational to western ethics and influenced figures from Alexander to Aquinas.
3. Letters from a Stoic, Seneca
The quintessential Stoic philosopher, Seneca was a tutor and advisor to emperor Nero. His work is basically a diary containing philosophical contemplations on the contempt of death, the value of friendship, and virtue as the supreme good.
4. Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
Never intended for the public, Meditations is a collection of personal insights that Marcus Aurelius recorded while on military campaign. The work is a unique opportunity to peer into the mind of the leader of the greatest empire in history.
5. Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius
Written while he awaited execution, the work is a dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy who consoles the author by discussing the fleeting nature of worldly goods. It influenced the medieval mind more than any other secular work
6. The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli
Machiavelli’s classic is a 16th century handbook on effective governance. It’s an essential read for anyone who wishes to understand the motivations and reasoning behind great leaders from the past or savvy politicians today.
What did l leave out?
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The design of a cathedral is theologically based and instructive in the faith. Though beautiful, its construction is not arbitrary — it wasn’t arranged simply to look pretty.
The layout, artwork, statues, and stained glass windows all serve an edifying purpose🧵
The plan of a cathedral is cruciform in shape and is usually oriented eastward—ad orientum. Worshippers face the rising sun, a daily reminder of Christ’s resurrection.
The north and south transepts or “arms” represent Christ’s right and left hands on the cross.
The entrance at the West end corresponds with His feet; one enters at the foot of the cross and proceeds upward as they approach the altar.
The layout is divided into three parts: the narthex/vestibule for catechumens, the nave for laymen, and the sanctuary for clergy.
The Holy Roman Empire lasted ~1000 years, and it looked like this:
How did such a fractured political entity last so long?
It has to do with a concept called “subsidiarity”, and it holds the key to implementing responsible government today 🧵 (thread)
Voltaire famously derided the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) as “neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire”, but what couldn't be denied was its longevity.
Existing from 800-1806, it was birthed before William the Conqueror invaded England and continued on after the American Revolution.
It’s considered one of the longest lasting empires in history, a feat of particular intrigue when one considers its central geographical location and lack of natural defensible borders.
Early Christians had a complete Bible by the 4th century—but that’s not the only thing they were reading to deepen their faith.
Here’s what books the early Church read besides the Bible🧵
1. The Didache, Anonymous, 1st cent.
The Didache is a brief discourse that contains moral and ritualistic teachings—a handbook for a Christian life.
It’s speculated the apostles wrote it, and contains the formulas for baptism and eucharist that are still used today.
2. The Shepherd of Hermas, Hermas, 2nd cent.
St. Iranaeus considered it to be canonical scripture. Though it missed the cut, it’s a fascinating work that centers around the life of a former slave who's given mystical visions and parables informing him how to live a faithful life
Historian Will Durant was not a religious man, but he believed faith was "indispensable" to a culture.
He delivered a dire warning to societies who traded faith for comfort…🧵 (thread)
Will Durant was a 20th-century American historian and philosopher most known for his 11-volume “Story of Civilization,” telling the history of both eastern and western civilizations.
His work led him to conclude that all cultures follow a predictable pattern…
Civilizations first begin with religious fervor, giving a nation strength to overcome great difficulty.
It’s their faith in a higher power that allows them to bear the initial “growth pains” that precede prosperity.
Kenneth Clark lamented that civilization was a fragile thing.
He observed three “enemies” that could topple even the mightiest cultures.
What are they, and how can we prevent them?🧵
The first enemy is fear:
“fear of war, fear of invasion, fear of plague and famine, that make it simply not worthwhile constructing things, or planting trees or even planning next year’s crops. And fear of the supernatural, which means that you daren’t question anything.”
Fear paralyzes a people and stifles adventure, invention, and grand building projects.
Machiavelli promoted a *realistic* approach to governance.
It didn’t always involve being nice.
His work "The Prince" is packed with hard hitting truths for rulers — but there’s one lesson that modern leaders MUST pay attention to, or risk losing everything…🧵
Niccolò Machiavelli was a 15-16th century Florentine diplomat, philosopher, and author who’s best known for his political masterpiece “The Prince”.
Often called the father of modern political philosophy, he wrote the book as a guide for potential rulers.
The Prince is a practical work, covering topics like: the ideal qualities of a prince; military counsel; and how a prince should manage his state.
For example, Machiavelli proposes that two institutions are integral to a ruler’s legitimacy…