The Mattering Instinct (with Rebecca Newberger Goldstein)

The Mind-Body Problem by Rebecca Goldstein is a novel that delves into the complexities of intellectual and personal life. It follows Renee Feuer, a philosophy graduate student who marries Noam Himmel, a celebrated mathematician. The story navigates themes of identity, love, and the pursuit of intellectual fulfillment, set against the backdrop of academic life. Goldstein weaves philosophical debates with personal struggles, creating a witty and insightful exploration of human experience.

Published in 1759, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments' is Adam Smith's first major published work, based on his lectures at Glasgow University. The book argues that morality is driven by humanity's natural sociability and the need for approval from peers, rather than by rational calculation or innate moral sense. Smith introduces key concepts such as sympathy, the impartial spectator, and the invisible hand, which explain how individuals judge the conduct and character of themselves and others. The work delves into the emotional and social aspects of human behavior, highlighting the role of emotions like pity and compassion in shaping moral sentiments and behaviors.

In 'The Ethics,' Spinoza presents a comprehensive philosophical system that covers metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. The book is divided into five parts and argues that the universe is governed by rational laws, and that reason is the primary guide for living. Spinoza rejects transcendent good and evil, Cartesian dualism, and the anthropomorphization of God, instead positing an ethical system based on joy and the pursuit of understanding and virtue.