The best 29 Social Philosophy books

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Social Philosophy Books: Gang Leader For A Day by Sudhir Venkatesh

Gang Leader For A Day

Sudhir Venkatesh
A Rogue Sociologist Crosses The Line
3.9 (16 ratings)

What's Gang Leader For A Day about?

Gang Leader For A Day is based on author Sudhir Venkatesh’s ten years of personal, in-depth research conducted on-site at the notorious Robert Taylor Homes public housing projects in Chicago. Ignored by city government and law enforcement, residents in the close-knit community rely only on local gangs and each other for basic services and social support.

Who should read Gang Leader For A Day?

  • Anyone interested in the influence of gangs in the United States
  • Anyone curious about what it takes to be a gang leader
  • Anyone interested in how poor communities are supported by underground economies

2
Social Philosophy Books: Discipline & Punish by Michel Foucault

Discipline & Punish

Michel Foucault
The Birth of the Prison
4.3 (113 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

3
Social Philosophy Books: Madness and Civilization by Michel Foucault

Madness and Civilization

Michel Foucault
A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason
4.4 (127 ratings)

What's Madness and Civilization about?

Madness and Civilization (1961) explores the bumpy road taken by European society in learning how to understand and treat mental illness. Famed philosopher and critic Michel Foucault offers insight into civilization’s troubled history of treating the mentally ill as social outcasts, wild animals and misbehaving children.

Who should read Madness and Civilization?

  • Historians of Europe and medicine
  • Those who want a greater understanding of mental illness and psychiatric institutions
  • Readers interested in French philosophers and sociologists

4
Social Philosophy Books: The Broken Ladder by Keith Payne

The Broken Ladder

Keith Payne
How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die
4.3 (62 ratings)

What's The Broken Ladder about?

The Broken Ladder (2017) explores the psychological, physical, and social ramifications of rising inequality. As the rich get richer, it powerfully demonstrates, everyone else feels poorer, regardless of material circumstances – with devastating consequences for all.

Who should read The Broken Ladder?

  • Social psychology
  • Anyone who wants to better understand inequality

5
Social Philosophy Books: The Soul of the World by Roger Scruton

The Soul of the World

Roger Scruton
3.7 (217 ratings)

What's The Soul of the World about?

In an age where science and atheism seek to explain everything we are, The Soul of the World (2014) argues for the continued importance of religion. It doesn’t preach for a particular doctrine; rather, it claims that in art, music, architecture, and interpersonal relations, there is a striving toward the sacred that science alone can’t explain or fulfill. Finally, it argues that by devaluing or ignoring the transcendent, we are willfully giving up one of the very things that makes us human.

Who should read The Soul of the World?

  • Atheists, agnostics, and scientists seeking a challenge to their worldview
  • Conservatives, traditionalists, and religious people
  • Lovers of philosophy, music, or art

6
Social Philosophy Books: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume

An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

David Hume
4.5 (283 ratings)

What's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding about?

An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding (1748) presents a succinct summary of Hume’s empirical and skeptical philosophy, and is one of the most influential texts of the early modern period. In calling for the use of reason in rejecting the “superstitions” of metaphysical philosophy and religion, this text helped to furnish the philosophical basis for the scientific method that was then coming to prominence in Enlightenment Europe. Even today, Hume’s Enquiry remains one of the best introductions to modern philosophy.

Who should read An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding?

  • Philosophy students looking for an introduction to Hume’s most important ideas
  • Rationalists who want to sharpen their reasoning skills
  • Anyone interested in the classics of Western philosophy

7
Social Philosophy Books: Wanting by Luke Burgis

Wanting

Luke Burgis
The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life
4.5 (124 ratings)

What's Wanting about?

Wanting (2021) provides a riveting, philosophical answer to the question Why do we want the things we want? Drawing on theories originally developed by the celebrated polymath René Girard, it reveals an uncomfortable truth: that our desires are all ultimately a product of other people’s desires. The point isn’t to eliminate them,⁠ but rather to choose, carefully and consciously, which ones we should actually strive for. 

Who should read Wanting?

  • Lovers of philosophy, psychology, and literature
  • Dedicated self-improvers
  • Young entrepreneurs and business leaders

8
Social Philosophy Books: The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The Social Contract

Jean-Jacques Rousseau
A cornerstone in modern political and social thought
4.5 (311 ratings)

What's The Social Contract about?

The Social Contract (1762) is a seminal work of political and social theory, and is Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s most important and influential text. In the book, Rousseau lays out the conditions required for the legitimate founding and governing of a nation state. Playing a role in both the French Revolution and the founding of the US Constitution, The Social Contract is a cornerstone of modern political thought and essential reading for anyone interested in political theory.

Who should read The Social Contract?

  • Students looking for an introduction to Rousseau
  • Politics buffs interested in the foundational texts of liberalism
  • Life-long learners who want to know all the classics of Western thought

9
Social Philosophy Books: How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain de Botton

How Proust Can Change Your Life

Alain de Botton
4.6 (321 ratings)

What's How Proust Can Change Your Life about?

How Proust Can Change Your Life (1997) melds literary biography with a self-help structure to argue that reading the work of twentieth-century French author Marcel Proust is not only culturally enriching, but potentially life-enhancing. Botton’s close reading of Proust’s masterpiece, In Search of Lost Time, offers up surprising and delightful insights into how to live better.

Who should read How Proust Can Change Your Life?

  • Voracious readers who have yet to embark on In Search of Lost Time
  • Reluctant readers who’d like to read more than they currently do
  • Anyone looking to take on a literary challenge

10
Social Philosophy Books: A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf

A Room of One’s Own

Virginia Woolf
4.5 (229 ratings)

What's A Room of One’s Own about?

A Room of One's Own (1929) is a perceptive rumination on gender and self-expression. This extended essay explores the social and structural barriers women face when creating art.

Who should read A Room of One’s Own?

  • Artists looking for inspiring words
  • Women exploring the history of feminism 
  • Those struggling to understand social injustice

11
Social Philosophy Books: The Quick Fix by Jesse Singal

The Quick Fix

Jesse Singal
Why Fad Psychology Can't Cure Our Social Ills
4.2 (78 ratings)

What's The Quick Fix about?

The Quick Fix (2021) is a skeptical study of recent trends in behavioral psychology. Academic studies and TED talks may appear to make a convincing case for the power of positive thinking or the impact of implicit bias, but sometimes the evidence just isn’t there. In a complex world, the explanations for human behavior are often more nuanced than some modern psychologists would have you believe.

Who should read The Quick Fix?

  • Psychology skeptics
  • Those interested in societal problems and human behavior
  • Anyone who has ever viewed a TED talk

12
Social Philosophy Books: What We Owe the Future by William MacAskill

What We Owe the Future

William MacAskill
4.3 (225 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

13
Social Philosophy Books: Longpath by Ari Wallach

Longpath

Ari Wallach
Becoming the Great Ancestors Our Future Needs - an Antidote for Short-Termism
4.3 (260 ratings)

What's Longpath about?

Longpath (2022) is written to change the way you think about humankind. By teaching the lessons of the Longpath mentality, it shows how to break the bad habit of short-term thinking and embrace a mentality that helps connect humanity’s past, present, and future in order to make a better world. 

Who should read Longpath?

  • Individuals interested in improving their connection to others
  • Anyone held back by short-term thinking
  • Policymakers at the local, state, or federal level

14
Social Philosophy Books: Rogues by Patrick Radden Keefe

Rogues

Patrick Radden Keefe
True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks
4.0 (137 ratings)

What's Rogues about?

Rogues (2022) is a compilation of veteran journalist Patrick Radden Keefe’s most famous profiles for the New Yorker Magazine. Keefe delves into the lives of notorious criminals and con artists, exploring their complex motivations. He examines the societies that made them and the systems we have for bringing people to justice.

Who should read Rogues?

  • Fans of long-form journalism 
  • Anyone interested in how the rogues of this world get away with their crimes
  • People interested in psychology and how past events can influence human behavior

15
Social Philosophy Books: Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Starry Messenger

Neil deGrasse Tyson
Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization
4.3 (449 ratings)

What's Starry Messenger about?

Starry Messenger (2022) is about a way of looking at the world called the cosmic perspective. It’s the view that opens up when we think about human life in its largest possible context – that of the universe itself. This isn’t an exercise in making our worldly affairs seem small and trivial, though. It’s about unlocking insights that can help us live more happily and meaningfully on the cosmic anomaly we call Earth.

Who should read Starry Messenger?

  • Thinkers and stargazers
  • Politicos interested in new ways of looking at old questions
  • Scientists and rationalists

16
Social Philosophy Books: The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is by Justin E.H. Smith

The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is

Justin E.H. Smith
A History, A Philosophy, A Warning
4.0 (139 ratings)

What's The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is about?

The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is (2022) offers startlingly new ways of understanding the world wide web, and strongly challenges us to examine our long-held beliefs about the supremacy of human cognition. It confronts our most closely-held (and least examined) ideas about the internet and social media, and weaves together observations from centuries of philosophy, mathematics, science and history.

Who should read The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is?

  • Those feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life in the information age 
  • Anyone worried about the addictive side of social media 
  • The Zoom-fatigued looking for better ways to connect.

17
Social Philosophy Books: Future Stories by David Christian

Future Stories

David Christian
What's Next?
4.2 (349 ratings)

What's Future Stories about?

Future Stories: What’s Next? (2022) explains the roots of how we make decisions about the future and illuminates the urgent responsibility on humanity’s shoulders today, with a multidisciplinary approach to time informed by biology, philosophy, and cosmology.

Who should read Future Stories?

  • Historians – both amateur and professional
  • Anyone concerned about climate change
  • Those interested in being a better human

18
Social Philosophy Books: Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Macbeth

William Shakespeare
4.8 (96 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

19
Social Philosophy Books: What’s Our Problem? by Tim Urban

What’s Our Problem?

Tim Urban
A Self-Help Book for Societies
4.5 (431 ratings)

What's What’s Our Problem? about?

What’s Our Problem (2023) offers a fun and unique perspective on the strange state of the modern world in which we live. Using the author’s iconic comedic style, it draws on observations from political theory, psychology, history, and modern-day events to explain what is going on in our society, and what we can potentially do to fix it.

Who should read What’s Our Problem??

  • Followers of Tim Urban and his blog, Wait But Why
  • The socially-minded looking for clear and clever explanations of complex problems
  • Anyone confused and overwhelmed by the crazy state of the world

20
Social Philosophy Books: Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Lord of the Flies

William Golding
4.6 (138 ratings)

What's Lord of the Flies about?

Lord of the Flies (1954) is the allegorical story of a group of young boys stranded on a deserted island and left to fend for themselves and create a society. As the boys struggle with the complexities of leadership, cooperation, and survival, they are forced to face some fundamental questions about human nature and the fragility of civilization.

Who should read Lord of the Flies?

  • Readers looking for fresh eyes on an old classic
  • Literature lovers who somehow never got around to this important book
  • Anyone looking for insight into the nature of society and the humans who build it

21
Social Philosophy Books: Selfless by Brian Lowery

Selfless

Brian Lowery
The Social Creation of “You”
4.2 (33 ratings)

What's Selfless about?

Selfless (2023) explores the concept of the self as an entity formed by relationships and society in general. It tackles the roles of family, social groups, the country, and technology in shaping the self. 

Who should read Selfless?

  • Social psychology enthusiasts
  • Anyone interested in the idea of the self as a social creation
  • People looking to understand themselves and others better

22
Social Philosophy Books: Humanly Possible by Sarah Bakewell

Humanly Possible

Sarah Bakewell
Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Freethinking, Inquiry, and Hope
4.2 (202 ratings)

What's Humanly Possible about?

Humanly Possible (2023) traces the roots of humanism in literature and science back through history. While telling the stories of the great humanist thinkers, it sheds light on humanity today as well as how we can better relate to our lives and environment through humanist beliefs and pursuits. 

Who should read Humanly Possible?

  • Anyone interested in the humanities
  • People looking for non-religious alternatives to moral thinking
  • Optimists

23
Social Philosophy Books: Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King

Devil in the Grove

Gilbert King
Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America
4.8 (5 ratings)

What's Devil in the Grove about?

Devil in the Grove (2012) tells the true story of four young Black men falsely accused of rape in 1949 Florida. It follows lawyer Thurgood Marshall’s tireless efforts to save their lives in the face of racial hatred, obstruction, violence, and injustice at every turn. Ultimately, Marshall exposed devastating flaws in the case, achieving some semblance of justice despite a system aligned against the defendants. 

Who should read Devil in the Grove?

  • People interested in the Groveland case
  • Those curious about Thurgood Marshall’s legal career
  • Anyone who wants to learn more about the history of racial injustice in the US

24
Social Philosophy Books: Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche

Thus Spoke Zarathustra

Friedrich Nietzsche
4.3 (262 ratings)

What's Thus Spoke Zarathustra about?

Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883) is a philosophical novel by Friedrich Nietzsche that explores the themes of religion, morality, culture, and society. It follows the journey of Zarathustra, a prophet who leaves his cave to share his wisdom with humanity. Along the way he encounters various characters who test his vision, and grapples with his own shortcomings.

Who should read Thus Spoke Zarathustra?

  • Those who like to challenge their own assumptions and values
  • People who enjoy poetic and metaphorical language and imagery
  • Students of history, philosophy, and culture

What's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism about?

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905) argues that the work ethic and values of early Protestant sects like Calvinism strongly influenced the development of capitalism in Western Europe. Weber's classic text traces these cultural origins, exploring how religious changes catalyzed the rise of modern economic systems by reshaping mindsets surrounding work, enterprise, and the accumulation of wealth.

Who should read The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism?

  • History buffs craving works that explore important cultural trends
  • Political minds seeking the foundations of contemporary social divides
  • Anyone curious about the roots of modern work culture – and how to change it

26
Social Philosophy Books: Capital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty

Capital in the Twenty-First Century

Thomas Piketty
3.4 (103 ratings)

What's Capital in the Twenty-First Century about?

Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2013) offers a deep dive into the historical trends and dynamics of income and wealth inequality. Drawing from centuries of data, it examines how capital concentration perpetuates inequality and proposes bold solutions to address this growing divide.

Who should read Capital in the Twenty-First Century?

  • Economists studying wealth dynamics
  • Those who would like to contextualize modern economic issues with historical data
  • Advocates for social justice and economic equality

27
Social Philosophy Books: Killing the Witches by Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard

Killing the Witches

Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard
The Horror of Salem, Massachusetts
4.2 (12 ratings)

What's Killing the Witches about?

Killing the Witches (2023) revisits one of the most frightening episodes in American history: the Salem Witch Trials, which saw over 200 people accused of witchcraft and 20 killed. This dramatic history reveals how Puritan tradition shaped early America and examines its repercussions to this very day.

Who should read Killing the Witches?

  • Fans of Bill O’Reilly
  • Readers interested in Puritan history and early American culture 
  • Those interested in understanding mob mentality and mass hysteria

28
Social Philosophy Books: Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre

Being and Nothingness

Jean-Paul Sartre
A Phenomenological Essay on Ontology
4.4 (35 ratings)

What's Being and Nothingness about?

Being and Nothingness (1943) is a seminal work of existentialist philosophy. It explores the major themes of existentialism, such as the intricacies of human consciousness, free will, and the interplay of objectivity and subjectivity.

Who should read Being and Nothingness?

  • Students and scholars of philosophy
  • People interested in intellectual history and influential philosophical texts
  • Anyone grappling with questions of meaning, identity, and consciousness

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Social Philosophy Books: Social Justice Fallacies by Thomas Sowell

Social Justice Fallacies

Thomas Sowell
3.7 (40 ratings)

What's Social Justice Fallacies about?

Social Justice Fallacies (2023) unravels the myths and misconceptions driving today's social justice movement. It turns out that many popular beliefs about how society should be improved often conflict with concrete facts. This exploration sheds light on the perilous path of good intentions paired with fallacious assertions.

Who should read Social Justice Fallacies?

  • Critical thinkers who find themselves questioning social justice movements
  • Enthusiasts of fact-driven political discourse
  • Anyone wanting to debunk widely accepted social narratives

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