Introductory Philosophy Books

New and Published Books

1. Understanding the Political Philosophers

   From Ancient to Modern Times, 2nd Edition

   By Alan Haworth

   Understanding the Political Philosophers is an absorbing and accessible introduction to the major philosophers and core texts of western political philosophy. Organised historically - beginning with Socrates and Plato, and concluding with post-Rawlsian theory - Alan Haworth presents the key ideas...

   Published April 4th 2012 by Routledge
2. On Manners

   By Karen Stohr

   Series: Thinking in Action

   Many otherwise enlightened people often dismiss etiquette as a trivial subject or—worse yet—as nothing but a disguise for moral hypocrisy or unjust social hierarchies. Such sentiments either mistakenly assume that most manners merely frame the “real issues” of any interpersonal exchange or...

   Published November 10th 2011 by Routledge
3. Thirty-Five Oriental Philosophers

   By Diané Collinson, Dr Robert Wilkinson, Robert Wilkinson

   These are questions to which oriental thinkers have given a wide range of philosophical answers that are intellectually and imaginatively stimulating. Thirty-Five Oriental Philosophers is a succinctly informative introduction to the thought of thirty-five important figures in the Chinese, Indian,...

   Published November 9th 2011 by Routledge
4. Philosophy for Young Children

   A Practical Guide

   By Berys Gaut, Morag Gaut

   With this book, any teacher can start teaching philosophy to children today! Co-written by a professor of philosophy and a practising primary school teacher, Philosophy for Young Children is a concise, practical guide for teachers. It contains detailed session plans for 36 philosophical enquiries -...

   Published August 18th 2011 by Routledge
5. Ethics and Public Policy

   A Philosophical Inquiry

   By Jonathan Wolff

   Train crashes cause, on average, a handful of deaths each year in the UK. Technologies exist that would save the lives of some of those who die. Yet these technical innovations would cost hundreds of millions of pounds. Should we spend the money? How can we decide how to trade off life against...

   Published May 23rd 2011 by Routledge
6. Wittgenstein

   By William Child

   Series: The Routledge Philosophers

   Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) is considered by most philosophers - even those who do not share his views - to be the most influential philosopher of the 20th century. His contributions to the philosophy of language, mind, meaning and psychology - as well as to logic, mathematics and epistemology...

   Published April 28th 2011 by Routledge
7. What is this thing called Metaphysics?

   2nd Edition

   By Brian Garrett

   Why is there something rather than nothing? Does God exist? Does time flow? What are we? Do we have free will? What is truth? Metaphysics is concerned with ourselves and reality, and the most fundamental questions regarding existence. This clear and accessible introduction covers the central topics...

   Published February 22nd 2011 by Routledge
8. Metaphysics: The Key Concepts

   By Helen Beebee, Nikk Effingham, Philip Goff

   Series: Routledge Key Guides

   ‘Informative, accessible, and fun to read— this is an excellent reference guide for undergraduates and anyone wanting an introduction to the fundamental issues of metaphysics. I know of no other resource like it.’– Meghan Griffith, Davidson College, USA 'Marvellous! This book provides the very best...

   Published November 24th 2010 by Routledge
9. Russell

   By Gregory Landini

   Series: The Routledge Philosophers

   Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was renowned as one of the founding figures of "analytic" philosophy, and for his lasting contributions to the study of logic, philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics and epistemology. He was also famous for his popular works, where his humanism, ethics and...

   Published August 3rd 2010 by Routledge
10. Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Merleau-Ponty and Phenomenology of Perception

    By Komarine Romdenh-Romluc

    Series: Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks

    Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908 – 1961) is hailed as one of the key philosophers of the twentieth century. Phenomenology of Perception is his most famous and influential work, and an essential text for anyone seeking to understand phenomenology. In this GuideBook Komarine Romdenh-Romluc introduces and...

    Published July 29th 2010 by Routledge