Open Philosophy Library
Philosophy Study Guides
ORIGINAL EDITORIAL RESOURCES
Explore original summaries, detailed explanations and structured Key Ideas for major works of philosophy. These guides are written specifically for Open Philosophy Library to help readers understand an argument, follow its development and return to the complete historical text with greater confidence.
How to use these guides
Each set of materials serves a different purpose. The Summary follows the overall content and organisation of the work. The Explanation examines its arguments, concepts and philosophical importance in greater depth. Key Ideas provides a numbered account of the central themes for revision, discussion or further study.
The guides support rather than replace the original texts. Readers are encouraged to compare the editorial interpretation with the author’s own words, question the arguments and form independent judgements. For a structured route through the collection, visit the Beginners Pathway to Philosophy Reading Guide.
Complete study-guide collection
The directory below brings together the published editorial resources by philosophical work. New guides are added as the library expands.
What Is Art?
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Pragmatism
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Subjection Of Women
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Gorgias
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Symposium
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Phaedo
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Euthyphro
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Bhagavad Gita: The Song Celestial
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Dhammapada
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Tao Te Ching (The Tao Teh King)
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Analects
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Genealogy Of Morals
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Beyond Good And Evil
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Monadology
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Ethics
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
On Liberty
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
A Vindication Of The Rights Of Woman
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Social Contract
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Second Treatise Of Government
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Leviathan
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Politics
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Republic
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Three Dialogues Between Hylas And Philonous
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Meditations On First Philosophy
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Discourse On The Method
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Fundamental Principles Of The Metaphysic Of Morals
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Utilitarianism
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Nicomachean Ethics
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Meno
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Letter To Menoeceus
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Crito
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Apology
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
A Selection From The Discourses Of Epictetus
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Enchiridion
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Epistles Of Seneca
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Of Leisure
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
On Tranquillity Of Mind
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Fragments Of Epictetus
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Of Consolation: To Helvia, His Mother
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Meditations
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Of Benefits – L’estrange’s Senecan Compilation
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Of Anger – L’estrange’s Senecan Compilation
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Of A Happy Life – L’estrange’s Senecan Compilation
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
On The Shortness Of Life
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
On The Firmness Of The Wise Person
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
On Providence
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Of Consolation: To Polybius
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Discourses Of Epictetus – Book IV
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Discourses Of Epictetus – Book III
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Discourses Of Epictetus – Book II
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
The Discourses Of Epictetus – Book I
Summary coming soon · Explanation · Key Ideas
On Clemency – Book I
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
On Clemency – Book II
Summary · Explanation · Key Ideas
Editorial approach
The supporting materials are original editorial work prepared for Open Philosophy Library. They distinguish description from interpretation, identify important disagreements where appropriate and avoid presenting one reading as the only possible understanding of a text. Historical quotations and public-domain editions remain separate from modern editorial commentary.
For details about selection, attribution, preparation and corrections, see the Editorial Standards page.