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The Little Book of Philosophy: An Introduction to the Key Thinkers and Theories You Need to Know
If you want to know your Socrates from your Sartre and your Confucius from your Kant, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of philosophy. Including accessible primers
This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how human ideas have sculpted the world we live in and the way we think today.
This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how human ideas have sculpted the world we live in and the way we think today.
192 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2021
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514 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 3, 2020
An excellent short overview of philosophy for any unexperienced reader. I think this book is perfectly suited for a curious generalist.
April 9, 2025
I was looking for a book to teach me a bit about philosophy when I bought this as I know nothing and this was marketed as a whistle stop tour. That is definitely accurate and I do appreciate the succinctness of each philosophy/philosopher description.
The problem is, it was so succinct, sometimes it felt like it went in one eye, out the other (get it? because I’m reading) and I would suddenly realise I hadn’t absorbed any information from the last 10 minutes of reading.
The problem is, it was so succinct, sometimes it felt like it went in one eye, out the other (get it? because I’m reading) and I would suddenly realise I hadn’t absorbed any information from the last 10 minutes of reading.
October 17, 2022
an excellent overview of philosophy! was really well organised and structured throughout - both interesting and enjoyable!
March 2, 2023
Very easy to read and very helpful. It really is a cute general knowledge guide of philosophy
August 16, 2024
I started reading this book because I was searching for answers to the big questions. I especially wanted to find a philosophy that would help give some direction to my life. Through this book, I can say I found a couple that I will dive deeper into.
I loved how easily I could read through this book. Every philosophy and philosopher are concisely explained.
I loved how easily I could read through this book. Every philosophy and philosopher are concisely explained.
May 29, 2023
So helpful, covers everything
March 3, 2021
3.75 stars
March 16, 2020
Nicely organised, it tells a bit about everything and gives you a taste of what you can find out about each branch of this vast tree. Small and handy, perfect for beginners, though some ideas, people are only briefly mentioned.
April 4, 2022
Veel informatie in een klein boekje, het was leuk om te lezen.
December 13, 2025
A very readable general overview of mainly Western Philosophy
It is not easy to cover the entirety of philosophy in less than 200 pages. By and large the book succeeds in giving a good impression of its main contours. But those contours are mainly Western (or European).
There is a nod towards Eastern philosophies in sections dealing with ancient philosophy, but it is a little superficial. Can Indian philosophy really be reduced to the origins of religions and depicted as if nothing happened in the last two thousand years? I think it would have been better to make this explicitly a book about Western (or European) philosophy and have a companion volume that did more justice to Eastern ideas.
The narrating of characters and ideas was fine as far as it went, but there were a few points where I think issues were over-simplified. For example, is it really fair to describe Socrates as having a “hygiene problem.” That means something for modern readers which does not necessarily accurately depict how Socrates was seen in his own context.
Similarly is it really fair to say that ‘knowledge of… (scepticism) disappeared during the Middle Ages…’ only to be rediscovered at the renaissance? What about Augustine’s treatment of the issues in the fifth century Contra Academicos?
It was also a little worrying to see the traditional English-speaker prejudice repeated about the middle ages (between the fifth and the fifteenth century) achieving ‘very little of note.’ That idea began centuries ago as essentially a Protestant (English) prejudice about the Catholic pre-reformation era. Histories of philosophy have shown it to be unfair. It is disappointing to see that old prejudice regurgitated.
The other detail of the book which I found a little grating after a while was the informal slang which periodically appeared. For example, while writing off the middle ages, the author described it ‘as a time of intellectual bleurgh.
Overall, this is a good attempt to cover an enormous period, and it gives a good simple overview. But I think a little more carefulness in places could have made it even better.
It is not easy to cover the entirety of philosophy in less than 200 pages. By and large the book succeeds in giving a good impression of its main contours. But those contours are mainly Western (or European).
There is a nod towards Eastern philosophies in sections dealing with ancient philosophy, but it is a little superficial. Can Indian philosophy really be reduced to the origins of religions and depicted as if nothing happened in the last two thousand years? I think it would have been better to make this explicitly a book about Western (or European) philosophy and have a companion volume that did more justice to Eastern ideas.
The narrating of characters and ideas was fine as far as it went, but there were a few points where I think issues were over-simplified. For example, is it really fair to describe Socrates as having a “hygiene problem.” That means something for modern readers which does not necessarily accurately depict how Socrates was seen in his own context.
Similarly is it really fair to say that ‘knowledge of… (scepticism) disappeared during the Middle Ages…’ only to be rediscovered at the renaissance? What about Augustine’s treatment of the issues in the fifth century Contra Academicos?
It was also a little worrying to see the traditional English-speaker prejudice repeated about the middle ages (between the fifth and the fifteenth century) achieving ‘very little of note.’ That idea began centuries ago as essentially a Protestant (English) prejudice about the Catholic pre-reformation era. Histories of philosophy have shown it to be unfair. It is disappointing to see that old prejudice regurgitated.
The other detail of the book which I found a little grating after a while was the informal slang which periodically appeared. For example, while writing off the middle ages, the author described it ‘as a time of intellectual bleurgh.
Overall, this is a good attempt to cover an enormous period, and it gives a good simple overview. But I think a little more carefulness in places could have made it even better.
June 22, 2025
Rachel Poulton's The Little Book of Philosophy: An Introduction to the Key Thinkers and Theories You Need to Know is a compact, yet enlightening guide that serves as an excellent starting point for anyone venturing into the intricate world of philosophical thought. Reading it felt less like an overwhelming textbook and more like a well-informed travel guide, offering clear, concise explanations of key thinkers, schools and ideas across the ages.
What I found especially useful is the author's ability to connect philosophical currents and concepts across time, providing a sense of continuity and evolution within the discipline, in a simple yet effective way, making the landscape of philosophy feel less like a maze and more like a meaningful journey after which you will remember the key ideas and key thinkers chronologically.
Whether you're dipping your toes into this colossal discipline or looking for a handbook to help you keep the big picture in view, Rachel Poulton's book is an accessible and well-structured companion that will genuinely ease your way into the vast and often daunting terrain of human thought.
What I found especially useful is the author's ability to connect philosophical currents and concepts across time, providing a sense of continuity and evolution within the discipline, in a simple yet effective way, making the landscape of philosophy feel less like a maze and more like a meaningful journey after which you will remember the key ideas and key thinkers chronologically.
Whether you're dipping your toes into this colossal discipline or looking for a handbook to help you keep the big picture in view, Rachel Poulton's book is an accessible and well-structured companion that will genuinely ease your way into the vast and often daunting terrain of human thought.
February 27, 2024
I have been drip-feeding myself this book for about a year now- it's a handy sized book so it goes in my handbag with me everywhere. Additionally, I have perused the content, soaking it in, making the links and then (most importantly) creating tangents with other related reading.This is what makes this book pivotal! It's so nicely and comprehensively linked together, gently flowing from the origin of philosophy as we know it through to the modern way in which it works. It's been useful in summarising very complex thinking and complex philosophers! You get to meet everyone for a bit. I have used it to sharpen up my own understanding and I have used it to create watered-down mini lessons for middle schoolers. I would say, particularly for those that teach philosophy to children (primary school) or that would like to introduce it to children, you won't go wrong with brushing up your own knowledge with a book like this. Easy to understand, well-structured and pivotal. Fabulous.
September 17, 2023
The Little Book of Philosophy is one of series of “little Books of…”. This book provides a short history of the development of philosophy with a short description of the main ideas of key phiosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Confucius and Alain de Botton. There are also short chapters on some key philosophical subjects and areas such as Karma and Political Philosophy.
As an introduction to philosophy the book certainly delivers. It provides just enough information so that the reader can decide whether the particular philosopher or subject is something you may want to investigate further.
I am not keen on books that are not ‘book size; and would have preferred a thinner book size book but I suppose that idea is a little book of so that may have lost its point.
Overall a good book if you want to know more about philosophy but not sure where to start.
As an introduction to philosophy the book certainly delivers. It provides just enough information so that the reader can decide whether the particular philosopher or subject is something you may want to investigate further.
I am not keen on books that are not ‘book size; and would have preferred a thinner book size book but I suppose that idea is a little book of so that may have lost its point.
Overall a good book if you want to know more about philosophy but not sure where to start.
June 19, 2023
A wonderfully concise overview of philosophical movements throughout the ages. A great primer that achieves that most difficult thing - making philosophy appear accessible.
Poulton relates every way of thinking to our practical experience and provides a clear guide to the context within which each set of ideas was framed.
She explains the different foci for philosophers and explores the ways in which they have influenced each other.
This is a pocket-sized guide but it is written with exemplary brevity, clarity, humour snd compassion. The author does not provide the answers to the big questions of life but she does equip the reader to think more effectively about them.
Very highly recommended!
Poulton relates every way of thinking to our practical experience and provides a clear guide to the context within which each set of ideas was framed.
She explains the different foci for philosophers and explores the ways in which they have influenced each other.
This is a pocket-sized guide but it is written with exemplary brevity, clarity, humour snd compassion. The author does not provide the answers to the big questions of life but she does equip the reader to think more effectively about them.
Very highly recommended!
August 31, 2023
As someone who didn’t know anything at all about philosophy and as someone who hates when books use big words and very specific historic dates, this book was perfect. It gave an amazing overview (valid it was a quick surface overview but it is also a short book tbf) and basic understanding on key philosophy movements, time periods and philosophers. It was heavily western based but did have an eastern section and mentioned other religions and cultures as well.
If you are someone who knows nothing about philosophy but wants to have a short and sweet introduction so that you can then read more into your area of specific interests, then this book is definitely for you!!!! An easy, enjoyable, informative read
If you are someone who knows nothing about philosophy but wants to have a short and sweet introduction so that you can then read more into your area of specific interests, then this book is definitely for you!!!! An easy, enjoyable, informative read
December 18, 2025
This is the perfect way to start one’s philosophical journey. The book provides a simple overview of the development of philosophical ideas over the years and through outlining its basic concepts, it allows us the ability to go on to explore particular areas that piqued our interests, with the advantage of now having some prior knowledge of it. It summarises the ideas proposed by the most influential philosophers and provides some information on their backgrounds.
Although it doesn’t include each aspect of the philosophers teachings, it provides clear and concise explanations that make the topics more digestible and easy to access.
Highly recommend to anyone who’s been thinking about educating themselves on this subject!
Although it doesn’t include each aspect of the philosophers teachings, it provides clear and concise explanations that make the topics more digestible and easy to access.
Highly recommend to anyone who’s been thinking about educating themselves on this subject!
October 2, 2024
Não é que Filosofia me seja um tema completamente estranho. Li alguns livros que me despertaram interesse pelas grandes perguntas que abordam a nossa existência.
O problema foi pegar em Nietzsche; mais especificamente em “Assim Falou Zaratustra”. A complexidade do texto e a minha dificuldade em percebê-lo e interpretá-lo foram indícios de que provavelmente estava a ser demasiado ambicioso. Pelo menos para absorver minimamente o que livros dessa complexidade pretendem transmitir.
Assim sendo, recolhendo-me à minha incapacidade e conhecimento limitado, resolvi começar pela base. E, para isso, acho que este livro foi um ótimo ponto de partida.
O problema foi pegar em Nietzsche; mais especificamente em “Assim Falou Zaratustra”. A complexidade do texto e a minha dificuldade em percebê-lo e interpretá-lo foram indícios de que provavelmente estava a ser demasiado ambicioso. Pelo menos para absorver minimamente o que livros dessa complexidade pretendem transmitir.
Assim sendo, recolhendo-me à minha incapacidade e conhecimento limitado, resolvi começar pela base. E, para isso, acho que este livro foi um ótimo ponto de partida.
May 28, 2023
um pequeno manual sobre o percurso da filosofio e de uma seleção de filosofos que tiveram um papel na formação de ideias no contexto do mundo ocidental.
Muito interessante, coerente e de fácil leitura.
Bastante pacífica e não muito ousada escolha de personagens e ideias principais que torna o texto interessante e fácil de ler.
Não deixou de ser rigoroso e praticamente isento de juizo de valor, sendo apenas o alinhamento de ficguras, a opção maior da escritora. Lê-se muito rapidamente e é instrutivo.
Muito interessante, coerente e de fácil leitura.
Bastante pacífica e não muito ousada escolha de personagens e ideias principais que torna o texto interessante e fácil de ler.
Não deixou de ser rigoroso e praticamente isento de juizo de valor, sendo apenas o alinhamento de ficguras, a opção maior da escritora. Lê-se muito rapidamente e é instrutivo.
September 17, 2024
A very brief look at philosophy and philosophers. Easy to read and gives the reader a glimpse out of the tour bus window as the bus rushes past rather than an in depth look.
I was surprised to see that Hegel was not given his own spotlight chapter of a couple of pages. The book wouldn't have been made much longer. Anyone reading this book to learn something of the subject would not gauge the importance of Hegel but would probably consider him a minor philosopher.
It has a section on Eastern philosophy which was good to see.
A worthwhile read.
I was surprised to see that Hegel was not given his own spotlight chapter of a couple of pages. The book wouldn't have been made much longer. Anyone reading this book to learn something of the subject would not gauge the importance of Hegel but would probably consider him a minor philosopher.
It has a section on Eastern philosophy which was good to see.
A worthwhile read.
May 10, 2023
-"O séc. XXI precisa de pensadores radicais com ideias radicais. Como vimos, os filósofos foram, ao longo do tempo, verdadeiros desmanhca-prazeres do statu quo: foram excomungados pelas suas ideias; foram banidos ou condenados à prisão"
-"Precisamos, mais do que nunca, de investigação filosófica. Fazer e explorar grandes questões, estar cheio de curiosidade e maravilhar-se com a vida - estas são as coisas que estão no âmago da filosofia."
-"Precisamos, mais do que nunca, de investigação filosófica. Fazer e explorar grandes questões, estar cheio de curiosidade e maravilhar-se com a vida - estas são as coisas que estão no âmago da filosofia."
January 30, 2024
This is a short, breezy introduction to the vast topic of philosophy from the Ancient Greeks to today. It’s a good starting point for further reading. I was intrigued to find that cognitive behavioural therapy, which helped me pull through my depression, was based on stoicism. I’ll have to look into that. Being such a quick and superficial guide, this book won’t score more than a three, unless I read it again, which may well happen.
September 20, 2025
The Little Book of Philosophy is a concise and approachable guide to some of the key thinkers and ideas that have shaped philosophy.
Written in clear, accessible language, it makes complex concepts easier to grasp and encourages reflection on how they connect to everyday life.
A thoughtful introduction for beginners or a quick refresher for curious readers.
December 29, 2025
I found this an entertaining overview which broke down complicated concepts into compact summaries using simple language.
It was no boring textbook either, easy-to-read with laugh inside interjections and commentary. The heavier material was well-balanced, with lighter background information between difficult concepts.
It was no boring textbook either, easy-to-read with laugh inside interjections and commentary. The heavier material was well-balanced, with lighter background information between difficult concepts.
June 25, 2022
This was a good introduction to all the major philosophy themes and philosophers and makes a great starting point for anyone interested in the topic but unsure where to start. There's plenty of ideas for further reading leading on from this book too.
February 10, 2023
The perfect book to start your exploration into the History of Philosophy. Love the layout, language and easy reading style of writing. I now have the basic understanding to read on via my chosen types of Philosophy
June 18, 2023
Unlike "The little book of psychology" which I enjoyed a lot, this one has a very hard task covering thousands of years of thought. Through that there are unavoidable shortcuts but also an undesirable shallowness.
December 30, 2023
This was a really good book. I really liked the structure of it
I will definitely be looking into more philosophy books
This was amazing for any beginner as it does cover quite a lot
Very easy to read as well
I will definitely be looking into more philosophy books
This was amazing for any beginner as it does cover quite a lot
Very easy to read as well
September 12, 2024
A brief and comprehensive introduction to the history of philosophy. As a beginner, I found it useful in introducing me to numerous figures who have shaped the landscape of philosophy. However, it only scratches the surface of their thoughts.
November 22, 2024
What an excellent little book! I felt like I learned a lot from reading this, and it’s made me more interested in picking up more philosophical books and educating myself further on the topic. Highly recommend this to beginners of learning!
April 27, 2020
Great summary with anecdotes explaining the different philosophies, both new and ols. Good introductory book to philosophy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews