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How the World Thinks

A Global History of Philosophy

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How the World Thinks

By: Julian Baggini
Narrated by: Julian Baggini
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All cultures are different and have different ways of thinking.

In How the World Thinks, Julian Baggini travels the globe to provide a hugely wide-ranging map of human thought. He shows us how distinct branches of philosophy flowered simultaneously in China, India and Ancient Greece, growing from local myths and stories - and how contemporary cultural attitudes, with particular attention to the West, East Asia, the Muslim World and Africa, have developed out of the philosophical histories of their regions.

Interviewing thinkers from all around the world, he asks why, for instance, do our European systems of governments and justice differ so widely from the East? Why can Islam not easily incorporate secular knowledge? How do we understand China? By gaining greater knowledge of how others think, we can become less certain of the knowledge we think we have, the first step to greater understanding.

©2018 Julian Baggini (P)2018 W.F. Howes Ltd Philosophy Inspiring China Ancient History Africa
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Despite including many world views in this book, the author sadly investigates each culture’s philosophy from a largely western perspective. For example, a misunderstanding of Karma as fatalism, and a very biased interjection of opinion at various points. Nonetheless a good read.

Cute but colonial

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I was really looking forward to listening to this as find the subject fascinating, however as I listen whilst driving the droning monotony of the delivery was knocking me out, I found that I kept having to rewinding as I'd drifted off and couldn't remember anything I'd just listened to... maybe good if you have trouble sleeping, so listen at bedtime.
I really don't like giving a poor review as I appreciate the hard work an author has put in, this review is purely on the performance which prevented me from becoming familiar with the content.
I would recommend downloading a sample first and seeing if you can get along with the tone.

Monotonous delivery

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Starts a little slow but builds and kept my interest throughout.

Felt balanced and interested rather than pushing a view.

Interesting and engaging

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Probably my lack of focus and endurance, but I found this book a little dull.

Hard going

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I love this book. I have replayed sections of it multiple times. I take away something new from each repeat. Baggini's own narration emphasises the authenticity of his standpoint. Timely and recommended as part of ongoing discussion of global diversity and inter-relations.

Informative and engaging

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