Beginner:

“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Philosophy”

By Jay Stevenson

Where else to start but the “Complete Idiot’s Guide”? This book begins with the most basic explanations on several forms of thought and gets gradually tougher as the reader learns more. Philosophy is hard to understand, no matter what education level you are at. But if you are truly curious about theory and codes on morals and ethics, this is the book to get you started.

Intermediate:

“Everything and More: A Complete History of Infinity”

By David Foster Wallace

America’s literary genius, David Foster Wallace, takes on Georg Cantor's theory of infinity. Wallace (author of the fictional behemoth “Infinite Jest”) can write infinitely. That is why this is funny. The series that this book is published under attempts to get prominent literary masters to “dumb-down” or at least make entertaining a somewhat difficult though interesting thought. Wallace certainly does this (especially with a hilarious introduction to the topic), however, you might want “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Math” about halfway into the book as Wallace starts off on some complex tangents.

“Chaos: Making a New Science”

By James Gleick

Anyone who has ever watched “Jurassic Park” gets curious about character Ian Malcolm’s chaos theory. Gleick’s book is one of the easier reads out there. It also does a very good job of explaining those complex models and even gives tips and hints on how to create your own model for chaos. Its one drawback is that it reads like a textbook. But chaos theory is, in and of itself, interesting enough to keep the reader going. As the debate over chaos theory rages on today, the book allows readers to make up their own minds.

Difficult:

“Practical Ethics”

By Peter Singer

Smart, taut and confounding, Singer’s book shows why he is one of the leading thinkers of our era. He uses somewhat obscure topics (animals’ right to life, euthanasia, political violence) to touch upon other seemingly more prominent issues. The book has nearly been banned in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for its suggestions. The latest edition offers insight to this international reaction as well as additional topics pressing today’s society. Singer is at the top of his game and if you’re not, you’re in for one grand headache. If you can manage, then this is only the start of a more profound universe.

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