Think
by Simon Blackburn
4.1/5
A survey of philosophy's central questions — knowledge, mind, free will, the self, God, ethics, and politics — written for general readers by philosopher Simon Blackburn.
$19.32 on AmazonAt a glance
Pages288
First published1999
Reading time~7h 30m
Audienceadult
S
About the Author
Simon Blackburn1 book reviewed · 4.1 avg
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Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy by Simon Blackburn is a rigorous, intellectually honest survey of Western philosophy's core questions — knowledge, mind, free will, the self, God, ethics, and politics — written with genuine authority rather than mere reportage. Blackburn treats readers as capable adults, which makes for a demanding but rewarding experience. LuvemBooks rates it 4.1 out of 5, calling it one of the stronger introductions in the genre despite its firm Western-canon focus and occasional impatience with opposing views.
- Summarize this book
- Think is a rigorous introduction to philosophy's enduring core problems — knowledge, mind, free will, the self, God, ethics, and politics. Blackburn's central argument is that these aren't dusty academic puzzles but live questions that shape how we understand ourselves and the world. The book works through each domain in turn, bringing thinkers like Descartes, Hume, and Kant into ongoing debates rather than treating them as historical relics. It's dense, authoritative, and rewarding for motivated readers.
- Is it worth reading?
- Yes, for the right reader. LuvemBooks rates Think 4.1/5 and calls it one of the stronger entries in the introductory philosophy genre. Blackburn writes with genuine intellectual authority, a dry and precise prose style, and real respect for the reader's intelligence. If you're willing to give it sustained concentration, it pays off handsomely — but it's not a casual read.
- About Simon Blackburn
- Simon Blackburn is a British philosopher and professor emeritus at the University of Cambridge, widely known for his work in metaethics, the philosophy of mind, and quasi-realism. He writes with rare clarity for a professional philosopher — dry, precise, and occasionally witty — making complex arguments accessible without dumbing them down. Beyond Think, his notable works include Being Good, The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, and Truth: A Guide. He is one of the most respected popularizers of analytic philosophy working today.
- Similar books
- If you enjoyed Think, you might try Thomas Nagel's What Does It All Mean?, a similarly compact and rigorous introduction to philosophy's core problems. Bertrand Russell's The Problems of Philosophy is a classic entry point with a comparable Western-analytic focus. For a broader and more historically narrative approach, A.C. Grayling's The History of Philosophy covers similar ground with more context. Simon Blackburn's own Being Good is a natural companion for those most drawn to the ethics sections of Think.
- Who should read this?
- Think is best suited to motivated adult readers who are curious about philosophy and willing to engage seriously with complex arguments — not dabblers looking for a breezy overview. It rewards those who want to be treated as intelligent adults capable of following dense reasoning, particularly readers drawn to epistemology, ethics, or the philosophy of mind. It's less ideal as a classroom text (no exercises or discussion questions) or for readers seeking engagement with non-Western traditions.
- What's the reading experience like?
- Reading Think requires real concentration — Blackburn writes with dry precision and wit, but he doesn't slow down for readers who fall behind. The prose is clean and intellectually alive rather than textbook-dry, but the arguments build on each other, so losing focus costs you. The sections on epistemology and ethics are particularly engaging; the book's greatest challenge is that it occasionally moves past opposing views too quickly, which can leave first-time readers feeling unmoored.
- Where should I start with Blackburn?
- Think is widely considered the best starting point for Blackburn's popular work — it's his most comprehensive single-volume introduction and gives you the broadest grounding in his thinking. If the ethics sections of Think resonate most strongly with you, Being Good makes a natural and shorter follow-up. Readers interested in his more specialized philosophical arguments can then move to Truth: A Guide.
Summarize this book
Is it worth reading?
About Simon Blackburn
Who should read this?
What's the reading experience like?
Where should I start with Blackburn?
Summarize this book
Think is a rigorous introduction to philosophy's enduring core problems — knowledge, mind, free will, the self, God, ethics, and politics. Blackburn's central argument is that these aren't dusty academic puzzles but live questions that shape how we understand ourselves and the world. The book works through each domain in turn, bringing thinkers like Descartes, Hume, and Kant into ongoing debates rather than treating them as historical relics. It's dense, authoritative, and rewarding for motivated readers.
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Editorial Review
Think by Simon Blackburn is a rigorous, well-crafted introduction to the core problems of Western philosophy, best suited to motivated readers willing to engage seriously with complex ideas. Its intellectual honesty and range make it one of the stronger entries in the genre, despite a Western-centric focus and occasional impatience with opposing views.
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