I've not read a great deal of philosophy (if any), so this was a really great introduction to the world's philosophies. It it titled a history, but it isn't a chronological history, instead it is themed. It starts with how the world knows, then proceeds to examine different schools of thought in how the world is, who we are and how the world lives. I found the thematic approach really interesting, rather than tracing the evolution of each of the major schools of thought. I like that he also atempted to include the oral traditions, this wasn't exclusively limited to the aritten tradition.

I will be honest, the first few chapters were hard going. But they set a foundation and I found that the remaining secitons were much more readable and understandable, maybe as a result of having put some building blocks in place. I felt that I learnt a lot, recognising the aspects of philosophical thinking that I have unconciously embraced without even knowing it. It might not be meant as an introduction to philosophy, but for me it functioned reallly well as exacltly that.

I won this from the #Al-Rhodan prize, which aims to enhance cultural understanding - in which case it's an excellent winner. ( )

In the first global overview of philosophy, Julian Baggini travels the world to provide a wide-ranging map of human thought. One of the great unexplained wonders of human history is that written philosophy flowered entirely separately in China, India and Ancient Greece at more or less the same time. These early philosophies have had a profound impact on the development of distinctive cultures in different parts of the world. What we call 'philosophy' in the West is not even half the story. Julian Baggini sets out to expand our horizons in How the World Thinks, exploring the philosophies of Japan, India, China and the Muslim world, as well as the lesser-known oral traditions of Africa and Australia's first peoples. Interviewing thinkers from around the globe, Baggini asks questions such as: why is the West is more individualistic than the East? What makes secularism a less powerful force in the Islamic world than in Europe? And how has China resisted pressures for greater political freedom? Offering deep insights into how different regions operate, and paying as much attention to commonalities as to differences, Baggini shows that by gaining greater knowledge of how others think we take the first step to a greater understanding of ourselves.

See also Nesbitt's 'Interfaith Pilgrim' (5A/2003) 'Jung and the Quaker Way' by Wallis (15D)

A wonderful volume of comparative philosophy, reminding us of culturally varied ways of perceiving the world, the differences and often the surprising similarities. Perfectly pitched for this moment in time when many wish to turn inwards and away from diversity and variety, and wallow in what are often inaccurate myths of 'better times' from the past.

I needed more concentration in the first few chapters, but I will certainly be returning to this volume, not least for the clarity of some of it's metaphors when describing quite complicated beliefs outside the Western cannon. ( )