How to Think Like a Philosopher | Granta

  • Published: 23/02/2023
  • ISBN: 9781783788514
  • Granta Books
  • 320 pages

How to Think Like a Philosopher

Julian Baggini

As politics slides toward impulsivity, and outrage bests rationality, how can philosophy help us critically engage with the world?

How to Think Like A Philosopher is a revelatory exploration of the methods, tenets and attitudes of thought that guide philosophy, and how they can be applied to our own lives.

Drawing on decades of enquiry and a huge range of interviews, Julian Baggini identifies twelve key principles that promote incisive thinking. Pay attention; question everything; seek clarity, not certainty: these are just a few of philosophy’s guiding maxims which can be applied to everything from understanding the impact of climate change to correctly appraising our own temperaments.

Both a fresh introduction to philosophy covering canonical and contemporary philosophers, and an essential, practical guide to good thinking, How to Think Like a Philosopher shows us the way to a more humane, balanced and rational approach to thinking, to politics, and to life.

In lively and engaging prose, the book distills some of history's most important philosophical ideas... An important book

Herald

A complete treat: a big breath of fresh air and a bracing detox for our beleaguered, battered brains

Derren Brown

[An] excellent and often witty primer on the art, or aspiration, of thinking clearly and logically and ethically

Irish Times

The Author

Julian Baggini‘s books include Welcome to Everytown: A Journey into the English Mind, What’s It All About?: Philosophy and the Meaning of Life, the bestselling The Pig that Wants to be Eaten, Do They Think You’re Stupid?, The Ego Trick, The Virtues of the Table: How to Eat and Think, Freedom Regained, and the bestselling How The World Thinks, all published by Granta Books. He has written for various newspapers, magazines, academic journals and think tanks. His website is microphilosophy.net.

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‘Whether or not you think 23 June was a great day for Britain and Europe, it was a very bad one for freedom.’