Philosophy and Human Nature: Best Books by Fyodor Dostoevsky Explained

Have you ever caught yourself doing something you knew was completely irrational, proving to yourself that you were free to do so? Or ever felt torn between doing the right thing and focusing on your personal interests? That chaotic and heart-wrenching feeling has been felt by many, and no one understood how the human mind functions. However, the Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky understood it way better than some of the people. Before therapy was a thing, he explored the darkest corners of human behaviour and wrote multiple books about the same. Millions of readers turn to his works to know more about the gripping and psychological feelings that seem relevant in today's world. Dive into the world and philosophies of his works and learn more about human behaviour.  

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Decoding Human Nature Through Dostoevsky's Lens

In Dostoevsky's novels, he mainly refuses to treat human nature as an easy equation. While modern thinkers focus on logic and self-interest, Dostoevsky considered that the minds are battlegrounds where all of our emotions clash with each other daily. 

• Free Will: In one of his books, Notes from Underground, Dostoevsky presented a narrator who intentionally hurts himself to prove that he isn't predictable. 
• Moral Conscience: In his book, Crime and Punishment, he focuses on the topic that moral laws are not social contracts. 
• Spiritual Freedom: In this famous chapter, "The Grand Inquisitor", he suggested that moral freedom is the reason why people surrender to authority in exchange for bread and security. 
• Pure Goodness: Dostoevsky claimed that pure and naive intentions cannot survive in the real world without having a tragic ending. 

The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Paperback)

Ever wondered what would happen if a kind and completely honest person walked into a room full of self-absorbed people? In this book, Dostoevsky provides an overview of a setup where a social experiment regarding the same is done. The story revolves around Prince Myshkin, who is a gentle soul returning to St. Petersburg after years. However, since he possesses no real-world knowledge, society calls him an “idiot”. His innocence further sparks jealousy and heartbreak, from which he later tries to heal. The writer provides an overview of whether purity can survive in a world that is driven by money and pride. This book pulls you straight into the emotional tragedy that can be related to by many and remains one of the unforgettable masterpieces. 

Notes From Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Paperback)

Tired of basic stories where the heroes always make the rational decisions? In Notes from Underground, the writer focuses on understanding the messy and irrational side of the human psyche. This short novel is narrated by the nameless “underground man” who is currently living in self-isolation. Here, the narrator argues that human beings are not logical and actively choose chaos, spite and self-sabotage to prove that free will exists. This book further seems like a raw therapy session that mirrors the current social alienation. If you want to read books that challenge your comfortable assumptions, this is an ideal and a standout choice for you. 

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Paperback)

Do you believe that an exceptional person that commit crime if they believe that it is for the greater good? This chilling novel names Crime and Punishment, is one of the best books ever written and is among one of the bestsellers by Fyodor. The plot revolves around Rodion, who is a broke and prideful student. He murders a greedy old pawnbroker to prove that he is above the basic moral laws. However, this gripping psychological drama focuses on the guilt, paranoia and moral collapse and further shows that intellectual rationalisation cannot silence the human conscience. This novel combines the suspense of a crime thriller and is an ideal reading choice to question human nature. 

White Nights & A Faint Heart by Dostoevsky Fyodor (Paperback)

If you thought that Dostoevsky's novels only included dark and psychological thrillers, this book will surprise you otherwise. In White Nights and A Faint Heart, these two stories are based on vulnerability and unrequited love. A Faint Heart explores how happiness and workplace anxiety can push a clerk to his breaking point. Whereas White Nights revolves around the storyline of a lonely dreamer and Nastenka, a young woman who waited anxiously for her lost lover. Both stories illustrate the essence and beauty of human connection. If you are looking for books that revolve around human emotions, this volume is one of the best choices for a quick yet peaceful read. 

Poor Folk by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Paperback)

Poor Folk was Dostoevsky's debut that made him an overnight literary sensation across Russia. This novel is his entire story that he has unfolded through heartfelt letters. These letters are exchanged between Makar, an ageing government clerk, and Varvara, a vulnerable young seamstress. The two of them share their daily struggles and small joys to sustain the world of cruelty and a class-divided society. He avoids focusing on pity and instead gives the forgotten souls an inner voice that is filled with pride, warmth, and nobility. If you are curating a book set with readings about human nature and behaviour, it is a must to begin with this book. For readers who explore character-driven philosophy books, this classic proves to be an ideal choice. 

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Conclusion:

Step into the world of Fyodor Dostoevsky and get to know human nature better. His books are more like a mirror that is held up to the contradictory nature of humans. He does not offer sugar-coated realities, but focuses on presenting his claims about the raw nature of humanity. The writer mentions that our capacity for deep love is directly tied to our ability to confront our darkest flaws. You can start with fast-paced books like Crime and Punishment or with ones like Notes from Underground that contain existential humour. Pick up one of his classics with a warm cup of coffee and get ready to experience life-changing understanding about yourself.