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

by Julian Baggini

Overview

An invitation to the habits of good thinking from philosopher Julian Baggini.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780226845524
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Publication date:	10/20/2025
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Julian Baggini is founding editor of the Philosopher’s Magazine and the author of many books, including Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will, also published by the University of Chicago Press. He frequently contributes 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

Editorial Reviews

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.

Sarah Bakewell

"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."

Metascience

"An interesting and fairly easy book to read, this could potentially be a kind of advanced introduction to philosophy, as there are many basic theories referenced. . . . Highly recommended."

Choice

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.

Anil Seth

Bright, engaging, and reliable.

on 'The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us about Being Human and Living Well' - Los Angeles Review of Books

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!

Richard Holloway

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

Irish Times

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

on 'Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will' - Wall Street Journal

"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."

The Herald (UK)

"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."

Art Review (UK)

Hugely entertaining.

on 'The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten' - Publishers Weekly

[This book] has practical, life-changing applications.

on 'The Great Guide: What David Hume Can Teach Us about Being Human and Living Well' - Foreword Reviews

Baggini is that happy thing—a philosopher who recognizes that readers go glassy-eyed if presented with high-octane philosophical discourse. And yet [it] is in all our interests to consider crucial aspects of what it means to be human.

on 'Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will' - Observer

Bite-size nuggets of meditation . . . provocative.

on 'The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten' - Entertainment Weekly