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

"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.

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

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

"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.

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

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

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

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

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

by Julian Baggini

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Overview

"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.

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


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780226826653
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Publication date: 05/31/2024
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 309
File size: 849 KB

About the Author

Julian Baggini is the author of many books, including The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten: 100 Experiments for the Armchair Philosopher, The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us about Being Human and Living Well, and Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will, the latter also published by the University of Chicago Press. He is the founding editor of Philosopher's Magazine and a frequent contributor to the Guardian, BBC News Online, the Observer, and the New Humanist, among others.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Pay attention
2 Question everything (including your
questions)
3 Watch your steps
4 Follow the facts
5 Watch your language
6 Be eclectic
7 Be a psychologist
8 Know what matters
9 Lose your ego
10 Think for yourself, not by yourself
11 Only connect
12 Don’t give up

Conclusion

Glossary of key concepts
The interviewees
Credits
Notes
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