The best 26 Ethics & Morality books

1
Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment

Fyodor Dostoyevsky
A Philosophical Masterpiece on the Boundaries Between Good and Evil
4.7 (272 ratings)

What's Crime and Punishment about?

Crime and Punishment (1866) is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Russian literature. It follows a young man called Rodion Raskolnikov – first as he plots to kill an elderly pawnbroker, then as he commits the deed, and finally as he confronts the many consequences of his actions. Emotionally poignant as well as philosophically and psychologically complex, the novel has left a visible mark on generations of writers, thinkers, and artists ever since its publication.

Who should read Crime and Punishment?

  • Fans of Russian literature
  • Lovers of melodrama, mental anguish, and moral quandaries
  • Philosophy buffs

2
Everything is F*cked

Everything is F*cked

Mark Manson
A Book About Hope
4.3 (758 ratings)

What's Everything is F*cked about?

Everything is F*cked (2019) is a no-holds-barred look at the state of the modern human condition and why so many feel like the world is a lot worse off than it really is. Author Mark Manson looks to pillars of human philosophy, including Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche, to reveal how both the trappings of modern society and concepts such as hope have people focused on the wrong things in life.

Who should read Everything is F*cked?

  • Wellness devotees obsessed with the pursuit of happiness
  • Lost souls who are confused about life
  • Students of philosophy or sociology

3
To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee
A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Classic on Racial Prejudice & Injustice
4.7 (76 ratings)

What's To Kill a Mockingbird about?

To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) is one of the most influential American novels ever written. Set in a small town in Alabama in the 1930s, it follows the Finch family over three tumultuous years as a trial divides a community. Covering themes of love and hate, innocence and experience, and kindness and cruelty, Harper Lee’s book goes to the heart of human behavior.   

Who should read To Kill a Mockingbird?

  • Anyone interested in classic fiction
  • History buffs
  • Those invested in the struggle for justice

4
Philosophy for Life

Philosophy for Life

Jules Evans
And Other Dangerous Situations
4.6 (342 ratings)

What's Philosophy for Life about?

These blinks will teach you the ancient wisdom that inspired the modern science of well-being. Your teachers are the greatest ancient philosophers, and each lesson reveals questions and techniques that can help you on your path to leading a good life. Philosophy for Life has been published in 19 countries and was selected as a Times book of the year 2013.

Who should read Philosophy for Life?

  • Anyone interested in self-development and living a good life
  • Anyone interested in learning from great thinkers like Aristotle and Plutarch
  • Anyone interested in refreshing their knowledge of philosophy
  • Anyone interested in cognitive behavioral therapy

5
The Analects

The Analects

Confucius
Aphorisms and Anecdotes from the Paragon of Chinese Sages
4.6 (388 ratings)

What's The Analects about?

The Analects is a collection of twenty “books” that contain valuable quotes and sayings from the Chinese philosopher Confucius, as well as his disciples. These words of wisdom date back thousands of years, but they have remained remarkably relevant throughout the ages. 

Who should read The Analects?

  • Anyone interested in ancient wisdom from the East
  • Leaders looking for philosophical guidance in their lives
  • History buffs and folks who enjoy ideas from the past

6
Macbeth

Macbeth

William Shakespeare
Regicide and Revenge in one of the World's Most Famous Tragedies
4.8 (70 ratings)

What's Macbeth about?

Macbeth (1606) is the Shakespearean tragedy of Scottish general Macbeth and his doomed attempt to seize his country’s throne. His ambitions ignited by a prophecy spoken to him by three witches, Macbeth’s path to power begins with anxiety and reticence and ends with callousness and cruelty. His story is a timeless exploration of guilt, paranoia, madness, prophecy, and the evils of ambition.

Who should read Macbeth?

  • Shakespeare lovers who haven’t had the chance to read Macbeth 
  • Those who find Shakespeare’s original language difficult to enjoy
  • Macbeth fans who want a refresher

7
On War

On War

Carl von Clausewitz
Observations on the Nature, Theory and Strategy of War and Combat
4.3 (316 ratings)

What's On War about?

On War (1832) is widely considered to be a landmark book on the subject of war. In its serious and thoughtful consideration of why and how states engage in warfare, it continues to be an influential piece of writing centuries later.

Who should read On War?

  • History buffs
  • Those interested in the politics and morality of war
  • Anyone curious about military strategy

8
Courage is Calling

Courage is Calling

Ryan Holiday
Fortune Favors the Brave
4.3 (245 ratings)

What's Courage is Calling about?

Courage is Calling (2021) is both a meditation on bravery and a guide to courageousness. From how to dispel your fears to the benefits of taking small steps first, it gives concrete advice for building courage, and lays out, in writing rich with anecdotes, the simple ways that each of us can become a little bit braver.

Who should read Courage is Calling?

  • Scaredy-cats in need of a strong dose of daring
  • The already-courageous who want to become even braver
  • Anyone interested in how courage has shaped history

9
A Brief History of Thought

A Brief History of Thought

Luc Ferry
A Philosophical Guide to Living
4.4 (259 ratings)

What's A Brief History of Thought about?

A Brief History of Thought (1996) chronicles the big moments in the history of Western philosophy in a lucid and accessible way – from the Stoicism of classical Greece right through to twentieth-century postmodernism. Not simply a description of abstract ideals, it shows how we can apply the wisdom of the world’s best thinkers to live happier and more meaningful lives.

Who should read A Brief History of Thought?

  • Those who find philosophy cryptic and confusing
  • History students not up to speed with the development of Western thought
  • Introspective humans searching for a meaning to life

10
How to Live a Good Life

How to Live a Good Life

ed. Massimo Pigliucci
A Guide to Choosing Your Personal Philosophy
4.3 (444 ratings)

What's How to Live a Good Life about?

How to Live a Good Life (2020), edited by Massimo Pigliucci, Skye Cleary, and Daniel Kaufman, is an introduction to 15 philosophies for living our lives. Ranging from ancient ideologies, through the major religions, to contemporary schools of thought, 15 leading scholars enlighten us with the philosophies that guide their lives.

Who should read How to Live a Good Life?

  • Those in search of a new philosophy of life
  • People wanting to do good
  • People interested in learning about philosophy

11
The Ethics of Ambiguity

The Ethics of Ambiguity

Simone de Beauvoir
A foundational text of existentialist philosophy
4.5 (233 ratings)

What's The Ethics of Ambiguity about?

The Ethics of Ambiguity (1947) is one of the foundational texts of existentialist philosophy. It's both a succinct summary of existentialist thought and a thorough interrogation of its ethical ramifications in the real world. By reflecting on what it means to be human, this book is a call to recognize and act upon one fundamental truth of our existence: that we are free.

Who should read The Ethics of Ambiguity?

  • Philosophically minded people who want to understand their existence.
  • Activists who seek to make the world a better place.
  • Anyone who exists and wants to know what to do about it.

12
That One Should Disdain Hardships

That One Should Disdain Hardships

Musonius Rufus
The Teachings of a Roman Stoic
4.6 (103 ratings)

What's That One Should Disdain Hardships about?

That One Should Disdain Hardships (2020) is a collection of lectures delivered in imperial Rome in the first century CE by the Stoic Gaius Musonius Rufus. Heralded as the “Roman Socrates,” Musonius’s philosophy is anything but academic. Designed to help listeners lead the best possible lives, his lectures hone in on practical, everyday questions. The result? A doctrine that you really can live by.

Who should read That One Should Disdain Hardships?

  • Philosophers and thinkers
  • History buffs
  • Practical-minded ethicists

13
The Art of Worldly Wisdom

The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Baltasar Gracián y Morales
A Pocket Oracle
4.2 (426 ratings)

What's The Art of Worldly Wisdom about?

The Art of Worldly Wisdom (1647) is a timeless self-help classic. Comprising 300 short but brilliant maxims, it sheds light on how to live your life, achieve success, and win respect. It has remained consistently relevant throughout its nearly 400-year publication history, inspiring the likes of Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche.

Who should read The Art of Worldly Wisdom?

  • Anyone looking for time-tested wisdom on how to live a better life;
  • Curious minds interested in the subtle art of giving and receiving favors; and
  • Self-help fans wanting to see how little the genre has changed over the centuries.
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14
Verity

Verity

Colleen Hoover
A #1 Bestselling Psychological Thriller With Bone-Chilling Twists
4.0 (170 ratings)

What's Verity about?

Verity (2018) is the breakout thriller leaving mystery fans breathless. Taut and tense, with a final plot twist delivered like a sucker-punch, the novel leaves readers questioning everything in the end — especially the truth.

Who should read Verity?

  • Anyone curious about the plot twists that dominate the buzz around the book
  • Thriller fans and true-crime lovers craving stories full of unreliable narrators
  • Novel lovers seeking tales that turn storytelling on its head - with chilling results

15
Ethics

Ethics

Simon Blackburn
A Very Short Introduction
4.3 (282 ratings)

What's Ethics about?

Ethics: A Very Short Introduction (2001) does exactly what it says on the tin: it’s a clear and accessible introduction to the branch of philosophy that’s concerned with how we ought to treat each other. By exploring key challenges and theories within ethics, Simon Blackburn cuts through philosophical jargon so we can learn to think clearly about how we ought to behave.

Who should read Ethics?

  • Beginners looking to get started with philosophy
  • Cynics secretly wondering if an ethical life is even possible 
  • Altruists who want to live more ethical lives

16
The Virtue of Selfishness

The Virtue of Selfishness

Ayn Rand
A New Concept of Egoism
4.1 (127 ratings)

What's The Virtue of Selfishness about?

The Virtue of Selfishness (1964) is an argument in favor of self-interest and capitalist economics. At the time of its publication, it was a bold and original assertion of a new moral creed. This daring work is sure to challenge many deeply held ideals.

Who should read The Virtue of Selfishness?

  • Contrarians fond of audacious moral arguments 
  • Entrepreneurs in favor of free enterprise
  • Political enthusiasts interested in challenging their convictions

17
Human Hacking

Human Hacking

Christopher Hadnagy with Seth Schulman
Win Friends, Influence People, and Leave Them Better Off for Having Met You
4.5 (279 ratings)

What's Human Hacking about?

Human Hacking (2021) is a guide to the art of ethical social engineering. Using the same tools of psychology and influence deployed by security hackers, it demonstrates how to boost social interactions in daily life. It covers a range of tips on how to adjust your natural communication tendencies to steer encounters to your advantage, with practical tools on how to influence others using empathy and compassion.

Who should read Human Hacking?

  • Those interested in becoming more persuasive
  • People interested in making new friends
  • Anyone interested in social engineering

18
What We Owe the Future

What We Owe the Future

William MacAskill
A Guide to Ethical Living for the Fate of Our Future
4.3 (216 ratings)

What's What We Owe the Future about?

What We Owe the Future (2022) makes the case for longtermism –⁠ the idea that people today have an obligation to create a good future for successive generations. Using philosophical reasoning, historical anecdotes, and social science research, it argues that the current moment could decide whether future people will live happy, flourishing lives or extraordinarily miserable ones. By carefully considering our actions with respect to issues like AI safety, biotechnology, and value lock-in, we increase the chances that future people will thrive –⁠ just as many of us do, now, thanks to people from the past.

Who should read What We Owe the Future?

  • Activists and charity donors who want to maximize the good they do
  • People interested in moral philosophy and ethics 
  • Anyone concerned about the future of humanity

19
A Force for Good

A Force for Good

Daniel Goleman
The Dalai Lama’s Vision for Humanity
4.4 (50 ratings)

What's A Force for Good about?

A Force For Good (2015) reveals how you can swap your negative thoughts for positive actions. By taking a closer look at the Dalai Lama’s wisdom and vision, these blinks explain how individuals acting positively can together form a global force of good, driving change in our world through mutual compassion.

Who should read A Force for Good?

  • People feeling hopeless about the state of the world today
  • Fans of the Dalai Lama
  • Anyone interested in the benefits of mindfulness practices

20
Discipline & Punish

Discipline & Punish

Michel Foucault
The Birth of the Prison
4.3 (103 ratings)

What's Discipline & Punish about?

Discipline & Punish (1975) is a celebrated work of renowned French philosopher and sociologist Michel Foucault. Foucault studies the history of forms of power, punishment, discipline and surveillance from the French Ancien Régime through to more modern times, seeing it as a reflection of a changing society.

Who should read Discipline & Punish?

  • Concerned citizens worried about the overreach of mass surveillance
  • Philosophers, historians, cultural scientists and sociologists
  • Anyone interested in modern prisons

21
Radical Honesty

Radical Honesty

Brad Blanton
How to Transform Your Life by Telling the Truth
3.2 (303 ratings)

What's Radical Honesty about?

Radical Honesty (first published 1993, this edition 2004) is a guide to help you tell the truth. We all lie, all the time, and it’s only through extreme honesty that we can escape from the moralism that surrounds us and truly be ourselves.

Who should read Radical Honesty?

  • People who want to express themselves more clearly
  • Couples struggling to communicate
  • Self-improvement fans

22
The Life You Can Save

The Life You Can Save

Peter Singer
How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty
4.4 (182 ratings)

What's The Life You Can Save about?

The Life You Can Save (2019) is a philosophical exploration of the moral implications of poverty. This provocative treatise asks us to consider if we’re truly doing our part to end human suffering.

Who should read The Life You Can Save?

  • Sensitive souls wanting to help the least fortunate
  • Hardened cynics skeptical of any charities
  • Anyone interested in probing the human condition

23
On Liberty

On Liberty

John Stuart Mill
The iconic political text on how to balance authority, society and individuality
4.2 (69 ratings)

What's On Liberty about?

The iconic political text On Liberty delves into questions of how to balance authority, society and individuality. Combining abstract philosophical reasoning and concrete examples, On Liberty provides a thoughtful and vivid defense of personal liberty and self-determination that has made a huge impact on our liberal societies and political thought today.

Who should read On Liberty?

  • Anyone interested in philosophy and the history of political thought
  • Anyone interested in politics
  • Anyone who wants to learn more about the foundations of Liberalism

24
Justice

Justice

Michael J. Sandel
What's the Right Thing to Do?
4.3 (33 ratings)

What's Justice about?

What is justice? How can we act in a just and morally correct way? Drawing on various examples from everyday life, Michael J. Sandel illustrates how differently the idea of justice can be interpreted, for example, by philosophers like Aristotle and Kant. Over the course of Justice (2009), he urges us to critically question our own convictions and societal conventions.

Who should read Justice?

  • Anyone interested in ethics and philosophy
  • Anyone who wants to find out more about the concept of justice
  • Anyone looking for philosophical answers to questions in life

25
Morality

Morality

Jonathan Sacks
Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times
4.3 (67 ratings)

What's Morality about?

Morality (2020) is a detailed deconstruction of our current social climate and a lucid account of how we got here. Part intellectual history and part manifesto of moral truths, this thoughtful work uncovers the roots of the rifts in contemporary society and points out a path toward a more just future.

Who should read Morality?

  • Lost souls seeking guidance in times of trouble
  • Citizens searching for justice in politics
  • Anyone concerned about the state of modern society

26
What Money Can't Buy

What Money Can't Buy

Michael J. Sandel
The Moral Limits of Markets
4.3 (36 ratings)

What's What Money Can't Buy about?

The blinks to What Money Can´t Buy (2013) explain how market-driven thinking – like the introduction of incentives and making everything available for a price – has snuck into almost every sphere of our lives. This means we are often suddenly confronted by serious moral concerns when market morality manifests itself in an area where it doesn’t belong.

Who should read What Money Can't Buy?

  • Anyone interested in economics, morality and the way they intersect
  • Anyone interested in a critique of the market-driven thinking that has gone unquestioned for three decades
  • Anyone who has a view on what kind of society they want to live in
  • Anyone who believes everything should be for sale

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