Philosophy A Complete Course: Master the Essentials in Simple Steps

by D.K. Publishing

The ultimate one-stop guide to the subject, this book takes you on a fascinating journey through the questions that have puzzled humanity for over 2,500 years.

From metaphysics and ethics to political philosophy and the philosophy of science, learn a different branch of philosophy across nine modules that explore and explain all of the most important ideas of history’s greatest thinkers – from Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius to the Stoics, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Simone de Beauvoir – and how they still resonate today.

Perfect for complete beginners and anyone seeking a comprehensive overview of the subject, A Complete Course untangles complex theories using clear, jargon-free explanations paired with bold infographics, biographies of influential philosophers, and “concept maps” that visualise relationships between ideas. The book’s innovative, graphic approach simplifies even the most challenging ideas – from metaphysics and ethics to existentialism and machine intelligence – making them easier than ever to understand.

In this essential guide to philosophy, you will


Clear and simple explanations of the key ideas across the most important fields of philosophical study, with bold, graphic-led explanations and summaries of each oneTimeless and inspiring quotes from the greatest thinkers of all timeBiographies of the most important figures in the field – from Frantz Fanon to Immanuel KantVisually-led summaries at the end of each module that tie everything together
…in a bold and appealing package.
Whether you are studying philosophy, seeking to expand your knowledge, or simply exploring life’s biggest questions, A Complete Course will sharpen your critical thinking and deepen your understanding of the world.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published June 30, 2026

About the author

Dorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.

Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Richa]

Having a background in Philosophy, this book is an easy read for me. the content is put in such an organized way, that it helps me understand the ideas more coherently and helps put everything in a perspective. Amazing read. Can't thank the authors enough for compiling a book that helps when those philosophies emerged and why.

[李 萧]

The book uses many illustrations and clear explanations to make complex ideas easier to understand. However, one limitation is that it focuses almost entirely on Western philosophy and does not include much discussion of non-Western philosophy.