The Republic - Plato

"Old Master and Other Political Essays" by Woodrow Wilson is a compelling collection of five essays that delve into the intricacies of political thought and governance, originally published in 1893. As Wilson, then a Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, explores themes such as political sovereignty and the character of democracy in the United States, he offers timeless insights that continue to resonate in today's political landscape. The essays, which originally appeared in esteemed publications like The New Princeton Review and The Atlantic Monthly, reflect on the foundational principles that shape democratic societies.

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Thomas More's "Utopia," translated by Gilbert Burnet, explores a fictional society where communal living and idealism reign supreme, presenting a world where everything belongs to everyone and individuals work according to their desires. This thought-provoking narrative challenges listeners to reflect on the concepts of ownership, societal roles, and the nature of happiness in a seemingly perfect world. With its imaginative use of gold as chamber pots and diamonds as toys, "Utopia" invites us to consider the absurdities of our own society while pondering the age-old quest for a better existence.

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Thoughts Are Things by Prentice Mulford.

Thoughts are Things, authored by Prentice Mulford, is one of the earliest books espousing New Thought teaching. This book contains information on how to better man's spiritual and physical life through the power of thought.

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Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion by David Hume.

In Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, philosopher David Hume examines whether belief in God can be rational. The work takes the form of a debate between three characters: Cleanthes, who argues that the existence and nature of God can be empirically verified; Demea, who argues that God is completely beyond human knowledge; and Philo, a philosophical skeptic widely thought to represent Hume's own beliefs. Much of the debate centers around Cleanthes' presentation of the analogical argument from design. According to this argument, the complexity and beauty of the universe can only be explained by inferring an intelligent designer, in the same way that one would infer a designer if one came across an intricately complicated machine. Philo presents several objections to this argument, with rejoinders by Cleanthes and occasional interjections by Demea.

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Philosophy of Logical Atomism by Bertrand Russell.

'The Philosophy of Logical Atomism' is a series of lectures by Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) that touches on numerous topics, including the nature of propositions, the relations of propositions to facts and of different types of words to the varieties of things, what kinds of facts there are, existence, monism and pluralism, and aspects of philosophical logic and of reference. Guiding the lectures, at least according to Russell's headnote to his lectures, is Russell's intent to fully flesh out ideas he learned from his former pupil, Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951).

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Life's Enthusiasms by David Starr Jordan.

The words in this essay on positive thought sing like those in Whitman's "Leaves of Grass." The author praises joyous living and recommends certain routes to its attainment. He explores schooling (public secondary and the university), travel, and the study of nature as ways to stay buoyant during life's trials. He also praises the power of the arts (literature, music, painting, sculpture) to keep spirits soaring.

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What I Believe by Bertrand Russell.

Provides a brief indication of the beliefs of philosopher Bertrand Russell, focusing on his hopes for the future. The topics included are: nature and man, the good life, moral rules, individual and social salvation, and science and happiness.

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Selections from the Principles of Philosophy by René Descartes.

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American Philosophy Collection Vol. 1 by Various.

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American Philosophy Collection Vol. 2 by Various.

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