How to Think like a Philosopher, Julian Baggini
How to Think like a Philosopher, Julian Baggini
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How to Think like a Philosopher
Twelve Key Principles for More Humane, Balanced, and Rational Thinking

Author: Julian Baggini

Narrator: Russ Williams

Unabridged: 10 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 09/23/2025


Synopsis

"An essential, inspiring guide to the challenges of our time" from the author of the UK bestseller The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten (Sarah Bakewell, New York Times bestselling author).

By now, it should be clear: in the face of disinformation and disaster, we cannot hot take, life hack, or meme our way to a better future. But how should we respond instead? In How to Think Like a Philosopher, Julian Baggini turns to the study of reason itself for practical solutions to this question, inspired by our most eminent philosophers, past and present.

Baggini offers twelve key principles for a more humane, balanced, and rational approach to thinking: pay attention; question everything (including your questions); watch your steps; follow the facts; watch your language; be eclectic; be a psychologist; know what matters; lose your ego; think for yourself, not by yourself; only connect; and don’t give up. Each chapter is chockful of real-world examples showing these principles at work—from the discovery of penicillin to the fight for trans rights—and how they lead to more thoughtful conclusions. More than a book of tips and tricks (or ways to be insufferably clever at parties), How to Think Like a Philosopher is an invitation to develop the habits of good reasoning that our world desperately needs.

About Julian Baggini

Julian Baggini is the author, coauthor, or editor of over twenty books. He regularly writes for national and international newspapers and magazines, and has produced reports for the think tanks The Institute of Public Policy Research, Demos, and Counterpoint. Baggini has been academic director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy since 2019. He is cofounder of the Philosophers' Magazine, which he edited from 1997-2010. He is also an honorary research fellow at the University of Kent, which also awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 2018.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Joshua Bertolotti on May 30, 2023

Must Read! This book is a fantastic read! Anyone interested in philosophy or living the good life will love it. The author delivers an extremely thought-provoking guide to thinking well!......more

Goodreads review by Phil on October 31, 2024

This is a really great book. I decided to read it before having a bit of a dive into some philosophy, and I'm glad I did. It's not only going to help me to read some philosophy, but it's going to help me be a better thinker all round. I suspect I'll end up re-reading it a few times over the coming ye......more

Goodreads review by Jeff on October 22, 2024

This is really the first book on philosophy I’ve ever read. It was an excellent review of the general concepts. I thought the organization of the book was good. I think there might’ve been two or three too many chapters. As I got towards the end of the book, it tended to drag quite a bit. I did like......more

Goodreads review by Rick on July 05, 2023

As a philosophy book it is a darn good "how to" book. As a "how to" book it is a darn good philosophy book. There are quite a few practical suggestions as to how to live and think as a philosopher would. Speaking as one who thinks philosophy much of the time I found this appealing.......more

Goodreads review by Desollado on February 23, 2025

This is my third book by the author, and he continues to impress me with his clear prose and balanced perspective. While many of the subjects and cited authors are familiar to me, his ability to weave years of philosophical thought into a cohesive, engaging narrative is remarkable. Easily one of the......more