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

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? InHow 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 Philosopheris an invitation to develop the habits of good reasoning that our world desperately needs.Julian Bagginiis the author of many books, includingThe 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, andFreedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will, the latter also published by the University of Chicago Press. He is the founding editor ofPhilosopher’s Magazineand a frequent contributor to theGuardian, BBC News Online, theObserver, and theNew Humanist, among others.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 Blƒ;