A short list, grouped from easiest to most demanding. Start wherever you are.
Start here
Friendly ways into philosophy.
Sophie's World
BeginnerJostein Gaarder
A novel that walks a teenager through the history of philosophy. A good first book.
Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy
BeginnerSimon Blackburn
Short chapters on knowledge, mind, free will and right and wrong, written for newcomers.
From the guest
Professor Sarukkai's own writing.
What Is Science?
BeginnerSundar Sarukkai
A short book on what makes science science, written by someone trained in both physics and philosophy.
The Cracked Mirror: An Indian Debate on Experience and Theory
AdvancedGopal Guru and Sundar Sarukkai
The argument behind the episode's point that lived experience belongs in social theory.
Go deeper
On fraternity and community.
Annihilation of Caste
IntermediateB. R. Ambedkar
Ambedkar's own case for a society built on liberty, equality and fraternity.
Bowling Alone
IntermediateRobert D. Putnam
A study of how Americans stopped joining clubs and groups, and what that did to communities. A useful companion to the hyper-individualism argument.