Reading Series
The Questioners
The lives and ideas of major philosophers.
Philosopher biographies in chronological order. They’re about the lives, the arguments, and the questions each person left behind.
10 booksThere’s no required order. Start wherever you want.
In this series
Browse all books- 01ConfuciusHow a broke teacher from ancient China became a branded ideology that emperors used to control millions—and why his real ideas were probably hijacked.28 min read
- 02SocratesThe life and trial of the man who questioned everything and changed Western thought forever by admitting he knew nothing.35 min read
- 03PLATOA vivid exploration of Plato's life and revolutionary ideas about reality, the soul, and why philosophers should rule the world.38 min read
- 04
ARISTOTLEThe life and revolutionary ideas of Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher who systematized logic, ethics, politics, and natural science—and introduced the Unmoved Mover when reason hit its limit.28 min read - 05
THOMAS AQUINASA deep dive into Thomas Aquinas's intellectual project to reconcile faith and reason, from his five proofs of God to his theories about angels, sex, and resurrected bodies.36 min read - 06
MachiavelliAn exploration of the machi, the shamanic healers of the Mapuche people who bridge the spiritual and physical worlds through ancient Indigenous practices.Short book - 07
DescartesHow René Descartes split mind from body and created the philosophical foundation for modern Western thought.37 min read - 08
SpinozaShort book - 09
VOLTAIREThe sharp-tongued philosopher who weaponized satire against Europe's most powerful institutions and became the godfather of intellectual rebellion.22 min read - 10
NietzscheA dramatic biographical portrait of Friedrich Nietzsche's descent from brilliant young professor to cosmic madman who collapsed embracing a beaten horse in Turin.24 min read