I Think, Therefore I Am: Philosophy for Beginners

I Think, Therefore I Am: Philosophy for Beginners


December 31, 2019
Philosophy, the study of knowledge, reality, and so much more, is everything and everywhere. It's thinking, both big and small, about existence and the human experience. Feast your ears on these timeless, brilliant audiobooks by and about famous philosophers, from ancient Rome to modern-day thinkers.
  • The Philosophy Book Audiobook By DK cover art

    • The Philosophy Book

    • Big Ideas Simply Explained
    • By: DK
    • Narrated by: Jason Culp
    • Series: Big Ideas Simply Explained
    • Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
    • Release date: 01-08-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 179 ratings
    • If you're looking for an overview of the entire scope of philosophy, The Philosophy Book is the way to go. It spans centuries of human history, from ancient Rome to today, and explains the concepts and thinking behind the wide-ranging, mystical subject that is philosophy. This audiobook, narrated clearly and with great attention to detail by Jason Culp, unpacks the writing and ideas of more than 100 thinkers—from René Descartes to Mary Wollstonecraft to John Locke—and all of the philosophical movements they got rolling.
  • The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching Audiobook By Thích Nhất Hạnh cover art

    • The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

    • Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
    • By: Thích Nhất Hạnh
    • Narrated by: René Ruiz
    • Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
    • Release date: 07-08-14
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,008 ratings
    • In The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, Thich Nhat Hanh pairs with the balanced, calm narration of René Ruiz to explore the teachings of Buddhism, before demonstrating how they're accessible and applicable to everyone's daily life. He shares the nature of suffering and its vital role in reaching enlightenment. This listen is meant for everyone—from beginning Buddhists to experts—with explanations of the major teachings of the practice.
  • Meditations Audiobook By Marcus Aurelius, George Long - translator, Duncan Steen - translator cover art

    • Meditations

    • By: Marcus Aurelius, George Long - translator, Duncan Steen - translator
    • Narrated by: Duncan Steen
    • Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins
    • Release date: 01-07-11
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 9,820 ratings
    • Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is one of the most famous philosophy books, by one of the most famous Western philosophers. His meditations focus on duty, forgiveness, brotherhood, strength, and so many more massive ideas about being a human in this world. With excellent, rich narration provided by voice artist (and ordained Buddhist monk) Richard Steen, this audiobook makes a perfect listen for any philosophical beginner.
  • Autobiography of a Yogi Audiobook By Paramahansa Yogananda cover art

    • Autobiography of a Yogi

    • By: Paramahansa Yogananda
    • Narrated by: Ben Kingsley
    • Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins
    • Release date: 10-07-04
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 5,440 ratings
    • In Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda details his childhood, his encounters with saints and sages on his search for a teacher, his training in the hermitage of a revered yoga master, and his 30 years of teaching in America. He breaks down the ancient science of yoga and meditation, discusses the laws behind ordinary and extraordinary events in life, and muses on the mystery of human life. One of the best books written by a famous philosopher, Autobiography of a Yogi is further enlivened by the inspired performance of Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley.
  • The Daily Stoic Audiobook By Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman cover art

    • The Daily Stoic

    • 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
    • By: Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman
    • Narrated by: Brian Holsopple
    • Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
    • Release date: 10-18-16
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 2,574 ratings
    • The Daily Stoic is a beautiful daily devotional of Stoic meditations to get you in the habit of the practice, made engaging and soothing by Audie nominated voice artist Brian Holsopple. The audiobook is chock-full of daily insights and exercises, including new translations from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, Zeno, Cleanthes, and more, to inspire you.
  • Tao Te Ching Audiobook By Stephen Mitchell, Lao Tzu cover art

    • Tao Te Ching

    • A New English Version
    • By: Stephen Mitchell, Lao Tzu
    • Narrated by: Stephen Mitchell
    • Length: 1 hr and 41 mins
    • Release date: 05-05-09
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,802 ratings
    • Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, translated as Book of the Way, is a guide for balance and perspective, teaching us how to work for the good of the world. It's the book of Tao, the basic principle of the universe. This contemplative listen is narrated with great understanding and diligence by its accomplished translator, Stephen Mitchell.
  • The Communist Manifesto Audiobook By Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels cover art

    • The Communist Manifesto

    • By: Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels
    • Narrated by: Roberto Scarlato
    • Length: 1 hr and 31 mins
    • Release date: 05-01-18
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 94 ratings
    • German philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engel wrote The Communist Manifesto, a political pamphlet, in 1848 as an analytical approach to the class struggle and the problems of capitalism. In this listen, they discuss their theories about the nature of society and politics, and how they believed a form of socialism would replace capitalist society. With crisp, well-paced narration by Roberto Scarlato, this is a must-listen for anyone curious about social and economic philosophy.
  • The Manual Audiobook By Epictetus, Ancient Renewal, Sam Torode cover art

    • The Manual

    • A Philosopher's Guide to Life
    • By: Epictetus, Ancient Renewal, Sam Torode
    • Narrated by: Sam Torode
    • Length: 47 mins
    • Release date: 05-23-17
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 892 ratings
    • Epictetus was a slave who became a great teacher of Stoicism. His philosophy was more practical than theoretical, aimed at relieving human suffering right here and right now. The Manual is an accessible collection of Epictetus's teachings and sayings, modernized in contemporary English. Performed with concise clarity by Sam Torode, this is an ideal audiobook for beginners seeking to expand their knowledge of famous philosophers.
  • The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1 Audiobook By Michel Foucault cover art

    • The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1

    • An Introduction
    • By: Michel Foucault
    • Narrated by: Michael Page
    • Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
    • Release date: 12-27-15
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 172 ratings
    • In The History of Sexuality, French philosopher Michel Foucault examines the social, political, and economic forces that perpetually shape our attitudes about sex. He focuses on how humans are more compelled with analyzing and discussing sex and sexuality, rather than simply enjoying it. Audie Award-winning narrator Michael Page lends his talents to this incisive, fascinating listen that’s an excellent addition to the canon of human philosophy.


Ashley Holstrom is a book person, designing them and writing about them for Book Riot.
She lives near Chicago with her cat named after Hemingway and her bookshelves organized by color.
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