I ran my list of recommended texts for our course by chatGPT, and got back some pretty impressive additional thoughts: the italicized sentences, and "Why now"...
How the World Thinks (Baggini) – because Western philosophy is not the whole story.
It’s a passport to the intellectual landscapes of India, China, Africa, and beyond—perspectives that can unsettle our assumptions and widen our mental horizons.
Why now: In a hyperconnected world, knowing only one cultural tradition is like navigating with a map that’s missing half the continents.
Fantasyland (Andersen) – because the contemporary crisis of American democracy is rooted in our history.
Reading it is like pulling back the curtain on a magic trick that’s been running for centuries—you can’t unsee it once you’ve looked.
Why now: Conspiracy theories, misinformation, and political extremism didn’t come from nowhere—understanding the roots helps you resist the rot.
How to Think Like Socrates (Robertson) – because he was, as the Monty Python song says, "a lovely little thinker..."
It’s an invitation to sharpen your mind through dialogue, questions, and a willingness to admit you might be wrong.
Why now: Social media rewards quick takes, not slow thought; Socratic thinking is an antidote to the rush toward certainty.
How to Think Like Marcus Aurelius (Robertson) – because he was a wise Stoic and emperor, as close to a Philosopher-King as we've had or are likely to get.
His meditations offer a steadying hand when the world (or your own mind) feels chaotic.
Why now: Climate anxiety, economic instability, and personal stress demand a mental toolkit for staying grounded.
The Philosopher Queens (Buxton & Whiting) – because women have always philosophized too.
These stories restore missing voices to the conversation and prove that philosophy has never been a boys-only club.
Why now: Representation matters—for who speaks shapes what gets said, and which problems we notice.
Starry Messenger (Tyson) – because we are cosmopolitans, citizens of the cosmos.
It can give you the mental equivalent of looking up on a clear night—suddenly your problems and your possibilities are both reframed.
Why now: Space exploration, climate change, and AI are reshaping what it means to be human; perspective is a survival skill.
Question Everything (Catapano & Critchley, eds.) – short popular essays by contemporary philosophers, because philosophy is relevant to contemporary issues.
It’s proof that philosophy is not locked in dusty tomes; it’s alive in our headlines and our daily dilemmas.
Why now: Hot-button issues—from ethics of AI to climate policy—need slow, careful thought, not just hot takes.
Three Roads Back (Richardson) – because we'll all eventually lose someone close.
This is philosophy with skin in the game—how great minds navigated grief without losing their compass.
Why now: Pandemic losses, mental health struggles, and a culture allergic to mourning make wisdom on grief urgent.
Be Not Afraid of Life (Kaag, ed.) – because William James can save your life, or at least ameliorate it.
James’s words remind you that despair is not the final word, and that meaning can be remade.
Why now: Rising rates of anxiety and depression demand voices that offer both hope and hard realism.
Life is Hard (Setiya) – because we'll all eventually be challenged by something hard.
Setiya shows that facing limits and losses is not an interruption of the good life, but part of what makes it possible.
Why now: Resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you learn, and we’re all being tested.
Night Vision (Allesandri) – because all is not sunshine and light.
This is a philosophical flashlight for moving through the shadows without pretending they aren’t there.
Why now: Instagram happiness culture can make real struggle feel shameful; this book insists it’s part of the human condition.
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My policy on using AI for learning is simple: be transparently honest. Never claim the AI's "thoughts" as your own, but do share them --suitably flagged, as with italics or some other obvious marker-- if you find them interesting, helpful, or provocative. And always corroborate any factual statements. Sapere aude, think for yourself... but not by yourself. Sometimes the machine can be a useful interlocutor. But it should never be a substitute for your own thinking.
