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Atheism
Browse Atheism as a public-domain reading list on Rivro, with free classics, authors, subjects, and related books.
Beyond Good and Evil
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
Beyond Good and Evil
"Beyond Good and Evil" by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche is a philosophical work published in 1886. Nietzsche launches a fierce attack on traditional philosophy, accusing past thinkers of disguising moral prejudices as objective truth. He challenges fundamental concepts like good versus evil, knowledge, and free will, proposing instead his theory of "will to power." The book calls for new philosophers who will move beyond conventional morality to embrace a more dangerous, perspectival understanding of existence and create new values for the future.
Anarchism and Other Essays
Emma Goldman
Anarchism and Other Essays
"Anarchism and Other Essays" by Emma Goldman is a collection of essays published in 1910. Goldman's first book presents her anarchist perspectives on women's oppression, feminism, prisons, political violence, sexuality, religion, and nationalism. Adapted from her lecture tours, the essays challenged both conventional society and first-wave feminism itself. Goldman chose publication over lecturing, hoping to reach readers genuinely interested in learning rather than audiences seeking spectacle. "The Traffic in Women" became particularly influential in feminist scholarship, sparking debates about marriage, sexuality, and women's liberation that continue today.
Jenseits von Gut und Böse
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
Jenseits von Gut und Böse
"Jenseits von Gut und Böse" by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche is a philosophical work published in 1886. Nietzsche launches a provocative attack on traditional philosophy, accusing past thinkers of disguising moral prejudices as objective truth. He challenges the very notion of opposing terms like good and evil, proposing instead a radical perspective that moves beyond conventional morality. Through aphoristic sections, he introduces concepts like the "will to power" and calls for new philosophers who embrace danger, self-assertion, and the creation of values in a world without universal moral truths.
The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1
Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1
"The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1" by Baron d'Holbach is a philosophical work published in 1770. This radical materialist treatise denies the existence of God, free will, and the soul, arguing that the universe operates by strict deterministic laws. Originally published anonymously, it presents nature as a self-governing system requiring no deity, insisting that religious belief stems from fear and ignorance. The book sparked fierce controversy, prompting refutations from Voltaire, Frederick the Great, and Catholic theologians alike.
The Writings of Thomas Paine — Volume 4 (1794-1796): The Age of Reason
Thomas Paine
The Writings of Thomas Paine — Volume 4 (1794-1796): The Age of Reason
"The Age of Reason" by Thomas Paine is a deistic work published in three parts between 1794 and 1807. Paine challenges institutionalized religion and the Bible's legitimacy, arguing for reason over revelation and rejecting miracles as divine proof. He advocates for natural religion and belief in a creator god while criticizing what he saw as the Christian Church's corruption and political ambitions. Written in an engaging, irreverent style, Paine made deistic arguments accessible to ordinary readers, sparking both revival and fierce controversy across America and Britain.
Superstition in all ages
Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
Superstition in all ages
"Superstition in All Ages" by Baron d' Paul Henri Thiry Holbach is a philosophical treatise written in the early 18th century. The work critically examines the origins and implications of superstition and religious dogmas through a historical and rational lens. It reflects the author's conviction that superstitions arise from ignorance and fear, and it argues for a rational inquiry into the beliefs that govern human behavior. The beginning of the text introduces Jean Meslier, a Roman Catholic priest who renounced religion after decades of service and left behind a manuscript arguing against religious dogmas, titled "Common Sense." The opening details Meslier's life, his pious actions, and the conflicts he faced with church authorities, establishing the foundation of his philosophical views. It highlights his intent to expose the contradictions of theology and the irrationality of faith, setting the stage for a critique of superstitions that persist throughout history.
The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 2
Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 2
"The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 2" by Baron d'Holbach is a philosophical work published in 1770. This radical treatise argues for atheism and materialism, claiming the mind is merely the brain, free will is illusion, and the universe operates by strict deterministic laws. Originally published anonymously, it sparked fierce controversy, drawing refutations from Voltaire and Frederick the Great, while inspiring figures like Shelley with its uncompromising rejection of God and supernatural beliefs.
The Necessity of Atheism
David Marshall Brooks
The Necessity of Atheism
"The Necessity of Atheism" by David Marshall Brooks is a critical analysis of religious beliefs and their evolution, likely written in the 20th century. The text delves into the historical development of religions, examining key figures such as Jesus, Moses, and Mohammed while questioning the foundations of theistic beliefs. Brooks contends that humankind's reliance on supernatural beliefs has stifled progress and argues for the validity of atheism as a more rational worldview. At the start of the work, the author highlights the primitive origins of religious beliefs, suggesting that early humans created gods to explain phenomena they could not understand. Through an exploration of early man’s emotions like fear and hope, Brooks demonstrates how concepts of gods evolved from animism to organized religions. He further discusses how these ideologies have been perpetuated through historical narratives, pointing out contradictions and fallacies within sacred texts. This sets the stage for a broader critique of Western religions, establishing a foundation for the argument that atheism offers a more logical and humane approach to understanding life.