What is this thing called Philosophy?
2nd Edition
Published on 2. December 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
518 pages
978-1-032-58843-8 (ISBN)
Description
What is this thing called Philosophy? is the definitive textbook for all who want a thorough introduction to the field. It introduces philosophy using a question-led approach that reflects the discursive nature of the discipline. Edited by Duncan Pritchard, each section is written by a high-profile contributor focusing on a key area of philosophy, and contains three or four question-based chapters offering an accessible point of engagement.
The core areas of philosophy introduced and explained are:
Ethics
Political Philosophy
Aesthetics
Epistemology
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Language
Metaphysics
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of Religion
The Meaning of Life
This second edition has been revised throughout, with chapters being brought up to date and improved. There is also a new section on the philosophy of language and the addition of 'spotlight' questions at the end of each section, as well as an updated Introduction and Glossary of Key Terms.
An outstanding textbook written by experienced teachers, What is this thing called Philosophy? is ideal for students approaching philosophy for the first time.
The core areas of philosophy introduced and explained are:
Ethics
Political Philosophy
Aesthetics
Epistemology
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Language
Metaphysics
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of Religion
The Meaning of Life
This second edition has been revised throughout, with chapters being brought up to date and improved. There is also a new section on the philosophy of language and the addition of 'spotlight' questions at the end of each section, as well as an updated Introduction and Glossary of Key Terms.
An outstanding textbook written by experienced teachers, What is this thing called Philosophy? is ideal for students approaching philosophy for the first time.
Reviews / Votes
Praise for the first edition:'What Is This Thing Called Philosophy? is an impressive book. The range of topics is excellent and covers much that is both humanly engaging and philosophically important. There is great clarity and intellectual commitment in the writing - a fine resource for anyone new to philosophy.' - Stephen Hetherington, University of New South Wales, Australia
'What is this thing called Philosophy? is an excellent, wide ranging and stimulating textbook, written by first rate academics. Both deep and lively, it introduces the main contemporary issues in the major areas of philosophy and will no doubt be of great service to anyone approaching the field for the first time.' - Claudine Tiercelin, College de France and Institut Jean Nicod, France
'This is a wonderful book! A collection of short, engaging and surprisingly accessible chapters, written by leading authors in the field. This is a welcome development - a non-technical introduction to philosophy's central questions.' - John Greco, Georgetown University, USA Praise for the first edition:
'What is this thing called Philosophy? is an impressive book. The range of topics is excellent and covers much that is both humanly engaging and philosophically important. There is great clarity and intellectual commitment in the writing - a fine resource for anyone new to philosophy.'
Stephen Hetherington, University of New South Wales, Australia
'What is this thing called Philosophy? is an excellent, wide ranging and stimulating textbook, written by first rate academics. Both deep and lively, it introduces the main contemporary issues in the major areas of philosophy and will no doubt be of great service to anyone approaching the field for the first time.'
Claudine Tiercelin, College de France and Institut Jean Nicod, France
'This is a wonderful book! A collection of short, engaging and surprisingly accessible chapters, written by leading authors in the field. This is a welcome development - a non-technical introduction to philosophy's central questions.'
John Greco, Georgetown University, USA
More details
Series
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
General, Postgraduate, and Undergraduate Core
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 170 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
911 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-58843-8 (9781032588438)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Duncan Pritchard
What is this thing called Philosophy?
Book
approx. 12/2025
2nd Edition
Routledge
€208.40
Not yet published
Duncan Pritchard
What is this thing called Philosophy?
E-Book
12/2025
2nd Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Duncan Pritchard
What is this thing called Philosophy?
E-Book
12/2025
2nd Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Previous edition
Duncan Pritchard
What is this thing called Philosophy?
Book
12/2015
1st Edition
Routledge
€73.31
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Duncan Pritchard is UC Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine, USA. His books include Epistemic Luck (2005), Epistemological Disjunctivism (2012), and Epistemic Angst: Radical Skepticism and the Groundlessness of Our Believing (2015). His Routledge books include Scepticism (with A. Coliva, 2022), The Routledge Companion to Epistemology (with S. Bernecker, 2013), and What is this thing called Knowledge? (5th edition 2023). His scholarly work has been recognized by such distinctions as the Philip Leverhulme Prize in Philosophy (2007), being elected to a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2011), delivering the Annual Soochow Lectures in Philosophy (2013), and the Paul H. Silverman Award for Outstanding Work in Ethics (2024).
Contributors
Michael Brady is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, UK.
Berit Brogaard is Professor and Director of the Brogaard Lab for Multisensory Research at the University of Miami, USA.
Thom Brooks is Professor of Law and Government at Durham University, UK.
Axel Gelfert is Professor of Philosophy at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany.
Teresa Marques is Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Barcelona, Spain.
Tim Mawson is Edgar Jones Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at the University of Oxford, UK.
Thaddeus Metz is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kristie Miller is Challis Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Kathleen Stock OBE is a British philosopher and writer. She was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sussex until 2021.
Contributors
Michael Brady is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, UK.
Berit Brogaard is Professor and Director of the Brogaard Lab for Multisensory Research at the University of Miami, USA.
Thom Brooks is Professor of Law and Government at Durham University, UK.
Axel Gelfert is Professor of Philosophy at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany.
Teresa Marques is Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Barcelona, Spain.
Tim Mawson is Edgar Jones Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at the University of Oxford, UK.
Thaddeus Metz is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kristie Miller is Challis Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Kathleen Stock OBE is a British philosopher and writer. She was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Sussex until 2021.
Content
List of Contributors Preface to the Second Edition: How to use this textbook Introduction: What is Philosophy? Part 1: Ethics 1. What is ethics? 2. What is metaethics? 3. What is normative ethics? 4. What is applied ethics? Part 2: Political Philosophy 5. What is freedom? 6. What is justice? 7. What is global justice? Part 3: Aesthetics 8. What is art? 9. What is aesthetic experience? 10. What is aesthetic judgement? Part 4: Epistemology 11. What is knowledge? 12. Is knowledge valuable? 13. Do we have any knowledge? Part 5: Philosophy of Mind 14. What is consciousness? 15. What is perception? 16. What are emotions? Part 6: Philosophy of Language 17. What does 'meaning' mean? 18. What's in a name? 19. What people mean Part 7: Metaphysics 20. What is metaphysics? 21. How do we do metaphysics? 22. Is our world structured? Part 8: Philosophy of Science 23. What is science? 24. Can we trust scientific models? 25. Is science getting closer to the truth? Part 9: Philosophy of Religion 26. What are God's properties? 27. Is belief that God exists reasonable? 28. Is faith in God reasonable? Part 10: The Meaning of Life 29. Must God exist for your life to be meaningful? 30. Must your life never come to an end for it to be meaningful? 31. How might a meaningful life be possible in a purely physical world? Glossary of Key Terms Index