7 great philosophy books for young people

Philosophy—just hearing the name evokes a sense of pressure to pass the course, a heavy burden on the eyelids. But that's a story for the university lecture halls.

What if Fonos said philosophy is for young people like us? What if Fonos introduced you to books that could completely change your thinking about philosophy?

I think people won't be as surprised by this statement as they used to be because young people have started to learn more about this topic.

In the past, young people only enjoyed reading short stories. As they got older, they started reading self-help books to improve their knowledge. Occasionally, they would turn to essays to understand profound philosophical perspectives on life. So, let's try exploring the topic of philosophy for once.

In a world where so many things distract us, a world with so many choices that we don't know which one is right for us, this is the time to explore philosophy.

Philosophy provides us with principles to guide our actions, define our self-worth and values, and create a magnetic field to orient our inner compass, so that we never feel lost again. Philosophy gives you a tool to question and choose how to live.

So open your heart to philosophy. Try exploring this seemingly academic subject. Fonos introduces you to philosophical works by those who have made the abstract concepts of philosophy more understandable to us.

From one of the most famous and controversial mystics of the 20th century: The Osho series of books.

The set consists of 5 books: The Way, The Buddha, Meditation, Tantra, and Upanishads.

Osho (1931-1990) was a truly extraordinary spiritual master of the twentieth century.

His real name was Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain. Around the 1970s, he was known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. In February 1989, he changed his name to Osho. Osho is an ancient Japanese title meaning "master" or "teacher" in a Zen lineage.

With his intelligence, humor, and masterful storytelling , he guided his audience to understand complex philosophical concepts clearly and coherently.

The Tao, the Buddha, Zen, Tantra, and Upanishads are very difficult and broad concepts to explain. But Osho introduces them all in an easily understandable way. Let's take a look at a passage where he talks about Zen:

"Zen was born in India, grew up in China, and blossomed in Japan ." This fascinating introduction to Zen makes us curious to read on.

If you've read books by Thich Nhat Hanh and still find them difficult to understand, try reading Osho's work! It's not dry logic, but an art: The Art of Thinking - Thu Giang Nguyen Duy Can

Author Thu Giang (Nguyen Duy Can) began writing books in 1935. To this day, some of his books are over 80 years old. Yet, their timeless values ​​are still appreciated by readers of all ages, especially young people. This is because he wrote these books based entirely on the pressing needs of life, aiming to cultivate knowledge and spirit that Vietnamese people still lack. Therefore, compared to Osho, the things the author shares are easier to apply to our lives.

If you're familiar with the incredibly popular book "I Learn by Myself," try exploring "The Art of Thinking." Correct thinking is an essential mental foundation, a solid base that makes learning anything easier.

Is studying thought easy? Thought is influenced by many factors: by society, by the feelings and emotions of each individual. A truth needs to be verified by many people to reduce subjectivity due to individual emotions. But if truth is formed based on desires, it is still a mistake. Studying thought is about seeing things as they actually happened, not as our minds and feelings want them to be.

Or you can still explore other books by author Thu Giang Nguyen Duy Can here. They are incredibly philosophical, profound, and also very easy to understand.

The Story of Worries: The Consolation of Philosophy - Alain de Botton

Everyone has their own worries. From big worries about career and relationships to small worries like what to eat today.

Small worries torment us. Big worries can ruin a lifetime. Alain de Botton writes about how the greatest minds in the history of philosophy discussed these worries and sufferings in everyday life. When we are unpopular, when we are pressured to conform to norms, we can turn to Socrates. When we are penniless, we can seek advice from Epicurus. And when we are heartbroken, we can certainly confide in Schopenhauer.

Through the ideas of six great philosophers, de Botton brought philosophy back to its simplest and most important purpose: to help us live our lives.

That's the most important thing, right? Live your own life.

Entering the sacred temple of philosophy with bursts of laughter: I Think, Therefore I Draw - Thomas Cathcart, Daniel Klein

Wittgenstein, the great Austrian philosopher, once said that one could write an entire excellent and serious philosophical work using only jokes. If only that were the case, because the truth is, who really understands what philosophers write!

Yet, there are some brilliant artists who can convey philosophical ideas through humorous drawings. This book will bring you delight as you look at their cartoons – these caricatures must have devoured countless works by Nietzsche, Aristotle, Sartre, Russell, Quine, and Derrida. And to help you avoid getting bogged down in lofty theories, Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein humorously explain what these caricatures teach us about big philosophical questions, such as "Are girls and boys really different?", "Is there a 'Cosmic Atlas'?", or "Is there something wrong with the so-called distinction between right and wrong?".

There's no better way to enjoy humorous illustrations while simultaneously gaining a deeper understanding of philosophy!

From Ancient Ideas to Modern Times: 50 Philosophical Ideas - Ben Dupré

Discussing 50 fascinating philosophical topics, this book is proof that philosophy is not dry and academic. Whether the oldest or the most modern ideas, they are all relatable, influential, and help us understand how the world exists and how we perceive it.

Author Ben Dupre is the head of children's reference books at Oxford University Press and has over 20 years of experience bringing challenging concepts to a wide audience. This book is one of his bestsellers.

Explore this book, and see how Ben recounts seemingly familiar things through philosophy.

A profound personal journey: Prejudice and Change - J. Krishnamurti

Not many people know about Krishnamurti, but he was one of the greatest philosophers and spiritualists the world has ever known. Yet he belonged to no religion, organization, or nation. He also did not adhere to any particular political or religious school of thought. On the contrary, he always believed that these were the very elements that divided people and brought about conflict. This perspective makes his teachings particularly relevant in today's world.

Many of Krishnamurti's books have been published in Vietnam and recorded by Fonos, such as * The Eagle's Journey * and *From Darkness to Light* . However, Fonos particularly recommends this book to young people for the following reason:

This is a book for anyone who longs to find a synthesis between the inherent beauty of life and the chaotic, ugly conditions of this world.

We've experienced a year filled with many changes and upheavals. But this period has also significantly altered our perspectives on the limitations of life.

Everything will constantly change, the world will constantly be in chaos. But Krishnamurti will help you discover the hidden beauty.

Experience the profound insights into the world from this great philosopher.

Find your own philosophy of life: Stoicism - A Life of Strength and Serenity - William B. Irvine

This philosophy book is easy to understand and read, even for those who absolutely hate philosophy.

What can Stoicism tell us?

Regarding the theory of destiny – Past, present, and future

Self-restraint

Regarding the harmony between doctrines

This book might seem overwhelming with its sheer volume of information, but don't worry, it will help you reshape your already chaotic life. With this book, you'll no longer fear philosophy as you learn to dissect the things around you and the events happening in your own life.