How to Think Like a Philosopher

"A witty primer on the art of thinking [and] an excellent guide to reasoning better as an ethical imperative."

"In lively and engaging prose, the book distills some of history’s most important philosophical ideas. . . . This is an important book. Much more than a guide to critiquing other people’s arguments, it explains how we can each sharpen up our own act by becoming more attentive and—crucially—more generous in our thinking. It should be required reading for commentators, politicians and anyone who risks becoming too enamored with their own rectitude."

"On at least some level, [Baggini offers] the remedy to what the likes of Peterson or Malcolm Gladwell do: soberly appreciating ‘the sheer difficulty of thinking well’ – never reducing his counsel to hot takes or simple life hacks."

“An essential, inspiring guide to the challenges of our time, drawing on interviews with contemporary philosophers, and filled with the author’s insights and reflections. It is exactly the book that we need.”

“Nobody thinks about thinking like Baggini. His latest book gives us an urgently needed guide to clear thinking, brought to life by a cast of our finest philosophers and illuminated by his gentle, humane, and accessible writing. Essential reading, both for making sense of a confusing world, and for living your everyday life. I’ll be returning to this brilliant book again and again.”

“If more philosophers wrote with the power and elegance Baggini achieves in this book, more of us would learn to think like them. Well, now we can!”

"How to Think Like a Philosopher exemplifies the skills and virtues it describes: throughout Baggini offers a clear, precise, open-minded, context-sensitive, well-reasoned and well-supported defense of philosophical thinking. He draws on the insights of others, maintains a healthy perspective on philosophy’s strengths and occupational hazards, cites relevant facts, treats a range of views fairly, and is modest and reflective throughout. He walks his philosophical talk. . . The principles and virtues Baggini discusses will benefit anyone willing to put in the effort to improve their thinking. While not what we would normally call a ‘self-help’ book, How to Think Like a Philosopher is designed to help us help ourselves by being a bit more attentive, thoughtful, precise, and, in the end, philosophical."

“Hugely entertaining.”

“A British philosopher who specializes in translating academic theories for a popular audience.”

“Bright, engaging, and reliable.”