This is our list of 15 great modern philosophy audiobooks. Okay, okay, some of them technically aren’t “modern”, but they certainly influenced western philosophy. So, we added them. Our blog, our list, our prerogative !
We cover some of the greats like Aurelius and Plato, but also cover some modern philosophers like Alan Watts. Bruce Lee is even in the list ! And of course, the primo position belongs to our favorite – Star Wars Philosophy !
To be honest, we hated having to read philosophy texts in school, and audiobooks would have been a dream back them. But, since we only had candles…
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Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine: Popular Culture and Philosophy
Author: Kevin S. Decker, Jason T. Eberl, William Irwin
Narrator: Joseph Bevilacqua
Listening Time: 8 hours, 4 minutes
Get audiobook, here.
Book Summary:
We seriously couldn’t have a list of modern philosophy without touching Star Wars, could we? We have always been big fans of the franchise, but it turns out there is quite a bit of big philosophical concepts behind the space battles and aliens.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
Book Summary:
Everyone is flawed, so deal with it. That is the essential message in this audiobook with the brash title. Not everyone is a winner, and we shouldn’t give everyone participation trophies for showing up. If you are looking for a soft, cuddly book to soothe a fragile ego, this is not it. It is a smash to the face wake-up call to focus on only that which truly matters.
Meditations: A New Translation
Author: Marcus Aurelius, Gregory Hays – translator
Narrator: Roger Davis
Listening Time: 4 hours, 35 minutes
Get audiobook, here.
Book Summary:
Everyone wants to be a Stoic, we all hear such great things about it. The problem is the stoic texts are DRYYY. In this new translation of Marcus Aurelius’s work, Gregory Hays gets rid of the old language, and writes it in a fresh modern take that is more relatable and understandable for people today.
Man’s Search for Meaning
Author: Viktor E. Frankl
Narrator: Simon Vance
Listening Time: 4 hours, 44 minutes
Get audiobook, here.
Book Summary:
Frankl’s belief that the core quest for any human is the search for meaning. This philosophy formed during his brutal stretch in Nazi Germany concentration camps, including Auschwitz. He was a trained psychologist prior to the war, watched his family die in front of him in the camps, and struggled to find his own meaning.
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Author: Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman
Narrator: Brian Holsopple
Listening Time: 10 hours, 6 minutes
Get audiobook, here.
Book Summary:
Designed as a daily lesson, the authors add commentary and other inspirational anectdotes to a daily quote or story from Stoic leaders. All the main stoics are covered: Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, Zeno, Cleanthes and Musonius Rufus.
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Author: Héctor García, Francesc Miralles
Narrator: Walter Dixon
Listening Time: 3 hours, 18 minutes
Get audiobook, here.
Book Summary:
Ikigai is Japanese for reason for living. In this philosophical look at older Japanese and their secret to longevity, the surprising answer is staying busy. the authors went to the city with the highest percentage of citizens over 100 years old, and found they key to longevity is to connect all aspects of your life together and stay active.
Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day
Book Summary:
Shetty had 3 options for a career according to his family, lawyer, doctor or failure. He went to be a monk in India, so he took what his family saw as option 3. When the monastery told him he could do much good spreading the knowledge he gained, he went home. After mentoring his stressed out friends who worked in big city companies, he realized he could teach people the benefits of being a monk, without the trip to the monastery.
48 Laws of Power
Book Summary:
Greene takes all lessons on power throughout 3000 years of history and distills them into 48 laws. He takes lessons from Sun Tzu, Machiavelli and Clausewitz to provide a framework of lessons to exert, maintain or protect from power.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
Author: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Douglas Carlton Abrams
Narrator: Douglas Carlton Abrams, Francois Chau, Peter Francis James
Listening Time: 10 hours, 12 minutes
Get audiobook, here.
Book Summary:
When the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu write a book on joy, you read it or listen to it. Enough said…
No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners: Clear Answers to Burning Questions About Core Buddhist Teachings
Book Summary:
Buddhism philosophy can be daunting for people to start. Noah Rasheta distills the core teachings into a simple framework for people to implement in their lives.
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
Author: Jordan B. Peterson, Norman Doidge MD
Narrator: Jordan B. Peterson
Listening Time: 15 hours, 40 minutes
Get audiobook, here.
Book Summary:
Canadian psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson blends philosophy with scientific study, to create an often humorous, and informative 12 laws people need to know.
The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman
Author: Richard P. Feynman
Narrator: Sean Runnette
Listening Time: 8 hours, 23 minutes
Get audiobook, here.
Book Summary:
When one of the most famous physicists’ writings and interviews are compiled in a book, it is worth the read or listen. In Feynman’s case, it is a wide ranging look at life and what is important.
The Warrior Within: The Philosophies of Bruce Lee to Better Understand the World around You and Achieve a Rewarding Life
Author: John Little
Narrator: Feodor Chin
Listening Time: 7 hours, 7 minutes
Book Summary:
There is not real surprise that most warriors are philosophers, too. It can be traced to their generally shorter lifespans than non-warriors, and the idea any fight can be their last. John Little exposes us to the philosophical side of Bruce Lee.
The Republic
Book Summary:
Western political and philosophical thought is based on The Republic. In it, Plato describes the roles and duties of not only good citizens, but good government.
In My Own Way
Book Summary:
The story of Alan Watts is untraditional to say the least. But, along the weird journey there is a lot to learn about life and finding your own way.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may be compensated for qualified purchases from links in this article, at no cost to you. Thank you ! You can read full disclosure, here.
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Katy B. Rutland
My name is Katy, and storytelling is pretty much my jam. Snuggling up with a good book and escaping into a thrilling movie has been my addiction since I was a little kid. I studied English Lit in college which was literally heaven for a word nerd like me. Since graduating I've focused my passion and energy on writing my own novels and screenplays.