How the World Thinks. A Global History of Philosophy

**How the World Thinks: A Global History of Philosophy** Julian Baggini's "How the World Thinks" is a brilliant exploration that seeks to map out the vast landscape of human thought across the globe. The book serves as an enlightening journey into the various philosophical traditions that have developed independently in different regions like China, India, and Ancient Greece, around the same historical period. This simultaneous blossoming of written philosophy in these regions remains one of history's intriguing mysteries. Baggini's work is an expansive journey that broadens our perceptions by delving into the philosophical perspectives of countries such as Japan, India, China, and the Muslim world. He also sheds light on the less frequently discussed oral traditions found among Africa's diverse cultures and Australia's Aboriginal communities. Through engaging dialogues with philosophers worldwide, Baggini tackles intriguing questions: Why does the West lean towards individualism compared to the East? Why hasn't secularism taken as strong a hold in the Islamic world as it has in Europe? And what are the reasons behind China's resilience against demands for more political freedoms? This insightful narrative not only identifies differences among these cultures but also emphasizes the shared aspects of human thought. By doing so, Baggini suggests that understanding diverse philosophical viewpoints can offer profound insights into our own ways of thinking, paving the way for deeper self-awareness. Format: Paperback Page Count: 432 Author: Julian Baggini