If an artist sends a live peacock to an exhibition, is it art?
'What is art?' is a question many of us want answered but are too afraid to ask. It is the very question that Nigel Warburton demystifies in this brilliant and accessible little book. With the help of varied illustrations and photographs, from Cézanne and Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst, best-selling author Warburton brings a philosopher's eye to art in a refreshing jargon-free style.
With customary clarity, he explains art theories, that are much discussed but little understood, by thinkers such as Clive Bell, R.G Collingwood and Wittgenstein. He illuminates other perplexing problems in art, such as the artist's intention, representation and emotion. Drawing on photographs of Cindy Sherman and Tiananmen Square, Warburton shows that, if we are ever to answer the art question, we must consider each work of art on its own terms.

A stimulating and handy guide through the art maze, The Art Question is essential reading for anyone interested in art, philosophy or those who simply like looking at and thinking about pictures.

A classic of how to think clearly and critically and ahead of its time in anticipating the threats to democracy by poor argument and shoddy reasoning Engaging, clear and witty, it is a brilliant example of how philosophy can connect with the concerns with everyone and requires no knowledge of the subject Susan Stebbing was the first woman in the UK to be appointed a professor of philosophy, in 1933 A new foreword by Nigel Warburton and introduction by Peter West help to set Stebbing book in helpful context

This text is a clear and thorough introduction to political philosophy and political thought. Each chapter begins with a brief overview of a major political thinker and clearly introduces one or more of their most influential works. The reader is then introduced to key secondary readings, aiming to complement and further their understanding of the thinker and text in question. Key features of the book also include clear exercises, reading notes and guides for further reading. The book is structured around eight major works including Machiavelli's "The Prince"; Hobbes - "Leviathan"; Locke- "The Second Treatise of Government"; Rousseau - "The Social Contract"; " Two Concepts of Liberty' by Isaiah Berlin'; Marx and Engels - "The German Ideology (Part 1)"; and Mill - "On Liberty". This text provides students with the skills necessary to understand the main thinkers, texts and arguments of political philosophy. It requires no previous knowledge of philosophy or politics and is suitable to anyone coming to political philosophy and political thought for the first time.

This book is a discourse on modelling Man in a social context. Its focus is on economic main-stream theory in its capacity to handle basic problems such as uncertainty, social dynamics and ethics. The point of departure is a systematic critique of the specific methodology of economics and its axiomatic structure. The ultimate aim is to develop an economic theory for a socially sustainable society. Economic Theory and Social Change analyses the foundation of economic market theory in relation to its social implications. On rejecting the axiomatic structure of the market theory Hasse Ekstedt and Angelo Fusari analyse the concept of growth and uncertainty with respect to a more realistic modelling of man, The book also addresses central political problems and their potential solutions, including permanent unemployment, distribution of income, the interaction of real and financial growth, money and the credit system. In seeking objective values to help to obtain a socially sustainable society, the book traces a tentative revision of economic and social thought based on a deepening of some crucial features of modern economies and societies. These features include innovation, the connected flows of uncertainty, entrepreneurship, and their role in fuelling and characterizing economic growth and development. This book will be of interest to postgraduate students and researchers of Economics, particularly to those focussing on Economic Theory and Political Economy.

A classic of how to think clearly and critically and ahead of its time in anticipating the threats to democracy by poor argument and shoddy reasoning Engaging, clear and witty, it is a brilliant example of how philosophy can connect with the concerns with everyone and requires no knowledge of the subject Susan Stebbing was the first woman in the UK to be appointed a professor of philosophy, in 1933 A new foreword by Nigel Warburton and introduction by Peter West help to set Stebbing book in helpful context

This book is a discourse on modelling Man in a social context. Its focus is on economic main-stream theory in its capacity to handle basic problems such as uncertainty, social dynamics and ethics. The point of departure is a systematic critique of the specific methodology of economics and its axiomatic structure. The ultimate aim is to develop an economic theory for a socially sustainable society. Economic Theory and Social Change analyses the foundation of economic market theory in relation to its social implications. On rejecting the axiomatic structure of the market theory Hasse Ekstedt and Angelo Fusari analyse the concept of growth and uncertainty with respect to a more realistic modelling of man, The book also addresses central political problems and their potential solutions, including permanent unemployment, distribution of income, the interaction of real and financial growth, money and the credit system. In seeking objective values to help to obtain a socially sustainable society, the book traces a tentative revision of economic and social thought based on a deepening of some crucial features of modern economies and societies. These features include innovation, the connected flows of uncertainty, entrepreneurship, and their role in fuelling and characterizing economic growth and development. This book will be of interest to postgraduate students and researchers of Economics, particularly to those focussing on Economic Theory and Political Economy.

The ability to write a clear, well-argued essay is absolutely crucial for students working at every academic level. As the basis for coursework and the vast majority of written exams, the essay is unavoidably at the heart of modern education. In "The Basics of" "Essay Writing" Nigel Warburton, bestselling author and experienced lecturer, provides all the guidance and advice you need to dramatically improve your essay-writing skills.
The book opens with a discussion of why it is so important to write a good essay, and proceeds through a step-by-step exploration of exactly what you should consider to improve your essays and marks. Within, you will find help on how to:
- Focus on answering the question asked
- Research and plan your essay
- Build and sustain an argument
- Improve your writing style and tone
Written in the author's accomplished, student-friendly style," The Basics of Essay Writing" is packed full of good advice and practical exercises. Students of all ages and in every subject area will find it an easy-to-use and indispensable aid to their studies.

Nigel Warburton brings philosophy to life with an imaginative selection of philosophical writings on key topics. Philosophy: Basic Readings is the ideal introduction to some of the most accessible and thought-provoking pieces in philosophy, both contemporary and classic.

The second edition of Philosophy: Basic Readings has been expanded to include new pieces in each major area of philosophy:

• What is philosophy?
• God
• right and wrong
• the external world
• science
• mind
• art.

The readings in Philosophy: Basic Readings complement the chapters in Philosophy: The Basics.

Philosophy: The Essential Study Guide is a compact and straightforward guide to the skills needed to study philosophy, aimed at anyone coming to the subject for the first time or just looking to improve their performance. Nigel Warburton, best-selling author of Philosophy: The Basics, clarifies what is expected of students and offers strategies and guidance to help them make effective use of their study time and improve their marks. The four main skills covered by the book are: READING philosophy - both skimming and in-depth analysis of historical and contemporary work, understanding the examples and terminology used LISTENING to philosophy - formal lectures and informal classroom teaching, preparation, picking up on arguments used, note taking DISCUSSING philosophy - arguing and exploring, asking questions, communicating in concise and understandable ways WRITING philosophy - researching and structuring essays and other written tasks, thinking up original examples, avoiding plagiarism Written in Nigel Warburton's customary student-friendly style and filled with sound advice and top tips, Philosophy: The Essential Study Guide is an indispensable guide for anyone getting to grips w

This text may be thought of as an introduction to philosophy, with four new chapters on classics by Boethius, Machiavelli, Spinoza and Rawls included in this second edition. Nigel Warburton takes the reader on a tour through philosophy's greatest works, from Plato's "Republic" to Wittgenstein's "Philosophical Investigations". Each chapter explores a key classic text, identifying and explaining core themes as well as subjecting them to critical scrutiny. These classic texts deal with problems that are as important today as when they were written, and "Philosophy: The Classics" should prove an accessible introduction for all those who hesitated to approach them - until now.

‘Philosophy: The Basics deservedly remains the most recommended introduction to philosophy on the market. Warburton is patient, accurate and, above all, clear. There is no better short introduction to philosophy.’ - Stephen Law, author of The Philosophy Gym

Philosophy: The Basics gently eases the reader into the world of philosophy. Each chapter considers a key area of philosophy, explaining and exploring the basic ideas and themes including:

Can you prove God exists?

How do we know right from wrong?

What are the limits of free speech?

Do you know how science works?

Is your mind different from your body?

Can you define art?

How should we treat non-human animals?

For the fifth edition of this best-selling book, Nigel Warburton has added an entirely new chapter on animals, revised others and brought the further reading sections up to date. If you’ve ever asked ‘what is philosophy?’, or wondered whether the world is really the way you think it is, this is the book for you.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. God 2. Right and Wrong 3. Animals 4. Politics 5. Appearance and Reality 6. Science 7. Mind 8. Art Index

What ishumpty-dumptying ? Doarguments from analogy ever stand up? How do I know when someone is usingweasel words ? What's the difference between ared herring and a 'straw man ? This superb book, now in its third edition, will help anyone who wants to argue well and think critically. Using witty and topical examples, this fully-updated edition includes many new entries and updates the whole text. New entries include: Principle of Charity Lawyer's Answer Least Worst Option Poisoning the Well Sentimentality Sunk Cost Fallacy Weasel Words You would say that wouldn't you. Thinking from A to Z may not help you win every argument, but it will definitely give you the power to tell a good one from a bad one.

Now in its fourth edition, Philosophy: The Classics is a brisk and invigorating tour through the great books of western philosophy. In his exemplary clear style, Nigel Warburton introduces and assesses thirty-two philosophical classics from Plato's Republic to Rawls' A Theory of Justice. The fourth edition includes new material on: Montaigne Essays Thomas Paine Rights of Man R.G. Collingwood The Principles of Art Karl Popper The Open Society and Its Enemies Thomas Kuhn The Structure of Scientific Revolutions With a glossary and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter, this is an ideal starting point for anyone interested in philosophy.

'Philosophy: The Basics deservedly remains the most recommended introduction to philosophy on the market. Warburton is patient, accurate and, above all, clear. There is no better short introduction to philosophy.' - Stephen Law, author of The Philosophy Gym Philosophy: The Basics gently eases the reader into the world of philosophy. Each chapter considers a key area of philosophy, explaining and exploring the basic ideas and themes including: Can you prove God exists? How do we know right from wrong? What are the limits of free speech? Do you know how science works? Is your mind different from your body? Can you define art? How should we treat non-human animals? For the fifth edition of this best-selling book, Nigel Warburton has added an entirely new chapter on animals, revised others and brought the further reading sections up to date. If you've ever asked 'what is philosophy?', or wondered whether the world is really the way you think it is, this is the book for you.

Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality and how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them how little they genuinely understood. This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy and explores their most compelling ideas about the world and how best to live in it. In forty brief chapters, Nigel Warburton guides us on a chronological tour of the major ideas in the history of philosophy. He provides interesting and often quirky stories of the lives and deaths of thought-provoking philosophers from Socrates, who chose to die by hemlock poisoning rather than live on without the freedom to think for himself, to Peter Singer, who asks the disquieting philosophical and ethical questions that haunt our own times. Warburton not only makes philosophy accessible, he offers inspiration to think, argue, reason, and ask in the tradition of Socrates. A Little History of Philosophy presents the grand sweep of humanity's search for philosophical understanding and invites all to join in the discussion.

This clear and thorough introduction provides students with the skills necessary to understand the main thinkers, texts and arguments of political philosophy and thought. Each chapter comprises a brief overview of a major political thinker, followed by an introduction to one or more of their most influential works and an introduction to key secondary readings.
Key features include:
* exercises
* reading notes
* guides for further reading
The book introduces and assesses: Machiavelli's Prince; Hobbes' Leviathan; Locke's Second Treatise on Government; Rousseau's Social Contract; Marx and Engels' German Ideology (Part 1); Mill's On Liberty and The Subjection of Women. Reading Political Philosophy requires no previous knowledge of philosophy or politics and is ideal for newcomers to political philosophy and political thought.

With a career spanning nearly half a century, Bill Brandt was a master of several major genres of photography: photojournalism, portraiture, the nude and landscapes. At first glance, Brandt's genres may appear unrelated, but when analysing his career in its entirety, a common theme comes to the forefront: what psychologist Sigmund Freud and philosopher Eugenio Trias called 'the sinister.' From his earliest photographs taken as an amateur in the 1930s to his late portraits and studies of the female body, Brandt expresses a fascination with the strange and dark aspects of life that only he can reveal. With 200 photographs from throughout Brandt's career, this book adds a crucial chapter to the analysis of this key figure in 20th-century photography. Bill Brandt is set to become an authoritative retrospective.

If an artist sends a live peacock to an exhibition, is it art?
'What is art?' is a question many of us want answered but are too afraid to ask. It is the very question that Nigel Warburton demystifies in this brilliant and accessible little book. With the help of varied illustrations and photographs, from Cézanne and Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst, best-selling author Warburton brings a philosopher's eye to art in a refreshing jargon-free style.
With customary clarity, he explains art theories, that are much discussed but little understood, by thinkers such as Clive Bell, R.G Collingwood and Wittgenstein. He illuminates other perplexing problems in art, such as the artist's intention, representation and emotion. Drawing on photographs of Cindy Sherman and Tiananmen Square, Warburton shows that, if we are ever to answer the art question, we must consider each work of art on its own terms.

A stimulating and handy guide through the art maze, The Art Question is essential reading for anyone interested in art, philosophy or those who simply like looking at and thinking about pictures.

What is a ~humpty-dumptyinga (TM)? Do a ~arguments from analogya (TM) ever stand up? How do I know when someone is using a ~weasel wordsa (TM)? Whata (TM)s the difference between a a ~red herringa (TM) and a a ~straw mana (TM)?

This superb book, now in its third edition, will help anyone who wants to argue well and think critically. Using witty and topical examples, this fully-updated edition includes many new entries and updates the whole text. New entries include:

• Principle of Charity
• Lawyera (TM)s Answer
• Least Worst Option
• Poisoning the Well
• Sentimentality
• Sunk Cost Fallacy
• Weasel Words
• a ~You would say that wouldna (TM)t youa (TM).

Thinking from A to Z may not help you win every argument, but it will definitely give you the power to tell a good one from a bad one.

This introduction to the arguments about individual freedom is ideal for newcomers to philosophy or political thought. Each chapter considers a fundamental argument about the scope of individual freedom, including the concepts of negative and positive freedom, freedom of belief, the Harm Principle, and freedom of speech and expression. Each argument is then clearly linked to a reading from key thinkers on each of these problems: Isaiah Berlin, Jeremy Waldron, Jonathan Wolff, Bernard Williams, Ronald Dworkin, H.L.A. Hart and Charles Taylor.
Key features include clear activities and discussion points, chapter summaries, and guides to further reading.
DEGREESFreedom will be of interest to students of philosophy, politics and critical thinking.

Nigel Warburton brings philosophy to life with an imaginative selection of philosophical writings on key topics. Philosophy: Basic Readings is the ideal introduction to some of the most accessible and thought-provoking pieces in philosophy, both contemporary and classic.
The second edition of Philosophy: Basic Readings has been expanded to include new pieces in each major area of philosophy:
. What is philosophy?
. God
. Right and wrong
. The external world
. Science
. Mind
. Art
The readings in Philosophy: Basic Readings complement the chapters in Philosophy: The Basics (4th edition 2004)."

Philosophy: The Essential Study Guide is a compact and straightforward guide to the skills needed to study philosophy, aimed at anyone coming to the subject for the first time or just looking to improve their performance. Nigel Warburton, best-selling author of Philosophy: The Basics , clarifies what is expected of students and offers strategies and guidance to help them make effective use of their study time and improve their marks.; The four main skills covered by the book are: READING philosophy - both skimming and in-depth analysis of historical and contemporary work, understanding the examples and terminology used LISTENING to philosophy - formal lectures and informal classroom teaching, preparation, picking up on arguments used, note taking DISCUSSING philosophy - arguing and exploring, asking questions, communicating in concise and understandable ways WRITING philosophy - researching and structuring essays and other written tasks, thinking up original examples, avoiding plagiarism;Written in Nigel Warburton's customary student-friendly style and filled with sound advice and top tips, Philosophy: The Essential Study Guide is an indispensable guide for anyone getting to grips w

Take 25 of the liveliest philosophers of our time. Talk to each about one of the most intriguing topics you can think of-from ethics to aesthetics to metaphysics. The result is a Philosophy Bite-a lively, informal conversation that brings the subject into focus. First made public on the enormously popular Philosophy Bites podcast, these entertaining, personal, and illuminating conversations are presented in print. The result is a book that is a taster for the whole enterprise of philosophy, and gives unexpected insights into hot topics spanning ethics, politics, metaphysics, aesthetics, and the meaning of life.

Now in its fourth edition, Philosophy: The Classics is a brisk and invigorating tour through the great books of western philosophy. In his exemplary clear style, Nigel Warburton introduces and assesses thirty-two philosophical classics from Plato's Republic to Rawls' A Theory of Justice. The fourth edition includes new material on: Montaigne Essays Thomas Paine Rights of Man R.G. Collingwood The Principles of Art Karl Popper The Open Society and Its Enemies Thomas Kuhn The Structure of Scientific Revolutions With a glossary and suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter, this is an ideal starting point for anyone interested in philosophy.

Philosophy Bites Back is the second book to come out of the hugely successful podcast Philosophy Bites. It presents a selection of lively interviews with leading philosophers of our time, who discuss the ideas and works of some of the most important thinkers in history. From the ancient classics of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, to the groundbreaking modern thought of Wittgenstein, Rawls, and Derrida, this volume spans over two and a half millennia of western philosophy and illuminates its most fascinating ideas. Philosophy Bites was set up in 2007 by David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton. It has had over 12 million downloads, and is listened to all over the world.