Do you tend to read books by authors who think like you do? While scientists have found that any kind of reading can provide beneficial stimulation for the brain, reading varying styles of writing and about a variety of subject matter can enhance your intellect even further. For example, a Stanford University study found that study participants who closely read Jane Austen novels experienced multiple complex cognitive functions, which those performing a more leisurely pleasure read did not. One of the problems of our video-focused world is that watching things on a screen rather than imagining them from the words on a page reduces our so-called theory of mind. Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to understand that other people have beliefs, desires and intentions that are different from your own. 6 Philosophical Books To Challenge Yourself With In other words, challenging yourself in the reading department is good for you. One way to challenge yourself is by reading books that may confront the way you view the world. Here are six picks for philosophical books that help you think outside your normal box. Philosophical Books - Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn (Random House, 1992) This book offers a unique perspective on man’s search for truth. After answering an ad for serious students interested in saving the world, the narrator find himself alone with a gorilla that teaches through mental telepathy. Ishmael divides humans into two groups -- Leavers and Takers – and helps the narrator see that the Taker culture is doomed. This book is both creative and thought provoking, and through its simple eloquence, it conveys much of what is wrong with society today. Favorite... More