Recommended Reading Lists
- Lacewing, M. Philosophy for AS, Routledge 2008
- Lacewing, M. Philosophy for A2: Unit 3, Routledge 2009
- Lacewing, M. Philosophy for A2: Unit 4, Routledge 2009
- Butler, M. AQA Philosophy for AS, Nelson Thornes 2008
- Cluett, C AQA Philosophy A2, Nelson Thornes 2009
- Hayward, J. AQA An Introduction to Philosophy for AS Level, Hodder 2008
- Blackburn, S. The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, OUP 1996
- Blackburn, S. Think, OUP 2001
- Craig, E. Philosophy: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2002
- Grayling, A. (ed.) Philosophy: a Guide Through the Subject
- Philosophy: Further Through the Subject, OUP 1998: specifically written for undergraduates at the University of London, the articles give clear and concise coverage of central philosophical issues
- Greetham, B. Philosophy, Palgrave Macmillan 2006
- Hollis, M. Invitation to Philosophy, Blackwell 1997: a longer, more demanding introduction than those above, but a model of clarity
- Horner, C. & Westacott, E. Thinking Through Philosophy, CUP 2000
- Law, S. The Outer Limits, Orion 2003
- Law, S. The Philosophy Files, Orion 2002
- Law, S. The Philosophy Gym, Hodder Headline 2003: all three Law books are collections of very accessible short pieces on a whole host of philosophical puzzles
- Morton, A. Philosophy in Practice, Blackwell 1995: as with Hollis
- Nagel, T. What Does It All Mean?, OUP 1987 (reprinted 2004)
- Teichman, J. & Evans, K. Philosophy: a Beginner's Guide, Blackwell 1991: as with Hollis
- The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: an excellent and constantly growing resource; too detailed for students' purposes, but teachers may find some of the articles useful, if challenging
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- Warburton, N. Philosophy: the Basics (4th ed.), Routledge 2004;
- Warburton, N. Philosophy: the Essential Study Guide, Routledge 2004
- Warburton, N. Thinking from A to Z, Routledge 2000;
There are a number of good journals that frequently have articles both relevant and accessible to A level students, including:
A practical guide to studying philosophy is Saunders, C. et al, Doing Philosophy: a Practical Guide for Students, Continuum 2008
This is a collection of recommendations for undergraduates, but many are suitable for A level students as well. The books published by Wadsworth are most popular, and also have on-line back-up. The McKay is particular recommended.
- Bowell, Tracy and Kemp, Gary Critical Thinking: A Concise Guide, Routledge 2002
- Fisher, Alec Critical Thinking: An Introduction, Cambridge University Press 2001
- Fisher, Alec The Logic of Real Arguments, Cambridge University Press 2004
- Fogelin, Robert Understanding Arguments, Harcourt College Publishers 2001
- Govier, Trudy Practical Study of Argument. Wadsworth 1992
- Hospers, John An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis, Routledge 1996
- Hurley, Patrick A Concise Introduction to Logic. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning 2000
- McKay, Thomas: Reasons, Explanations, and Decisions: Guidelines for Critical Thinking. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. 2000
- Moore, N.B. and Parker, R. Critical Thinking: Evaluating Arguments in Everyday Life, Mayfield Publishing Company 1989
- Ruggiero, Vincent Beyond Feelngs: A Guide to Critical Thinking, Mayfield Publishing Company 1984
- Shand, John Arguing Well, Routledge. 2000
- Thomson, Anne Critical Reasoning: A Practical Introduction, Routledge 2002
- Thomson, Anne, Critical Reasoning in Ethics: A Practical Introduction, Routledge 1999
- Tymoczko, T. and Henle, J. Sweet Reason: A Field Guide to Modern Logic. Springer 1999
- Warburton, Nigel Thinking A to Z, Routledge 2000
- Weston, Anthony A Rulebook for Arguments, Hackett 2000
- Audi, R. Epistemology: A Contemporary Introduction to Theory of Knowledge, Routledge 1998: a very accessible, clear, introductory text
- Ayer, A. J. The Problem of Knowledge, various editions: a classic of 20th-century philosophical writing about many of the central problems of epistemology, written in a clear, engaging style
- Baggini, J. & Fosl, P. The Philosopher's Toolkit, Blackwell 2003: a very good compendium of clear explanations of concepts and arguments, which any student of philosophy new or old would find useful
- Dancy, J. & Sosa, E. A Companion to Epistemology, Blackwell 1997: an excellent encyclopaedic reference work with an astonishing amount of useful material about different aspects of the subject in one volume
- Lehrer, K. Theory of Knowledge, Routledge 1990: another good introduction, which should be accessible to readers who are less familiar with the theory of knowledge
- O'Brien, D. An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge, Polity 2006
- Pritchard & Neta, Arguing About Knowledge, Routledge 2008
- Russell, B. The Problems of Philosophy, various editions, e.g. Opus 2001: as with Ayer
- Williams, M. Problems of Knowledge: A Critical Introduction to Epistemology, OUP 2001: an excellent introduction, if a bit less easy than Audi
- Specifically on Reason and experience: Carruthers, P. Human Knowledge and Human Nature, OUP 1992
- Baggini, J. Philosophy: Key Themes, Palgrave MacMillan 2002: written for the A level
- Crick, B. Democracy: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2002
- Freeden, M. Ideology: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2003
- Harris, E. Nationalism, Edinburgh University Press 2005
- Heywood, A. Political Ideologies: an Introduction, Palgrave Macmillan 2003
- Heywood, A. Politics, Palgrave Macmillan 1997
- Heywood, A. Political Theory, Palgrave Macmillan 1999
- Heywood, A. Key Concepts in Politics, Palgrave Macmillan 2000: all introductory textbooks by the Chief Examiner in A Level Government and Politics
- Knowles, D. Political Philosophy, Routledge 2001
- Lee, S. Law and Morals: Warnock, Gillick and Beyond, OUP 1986: a short and readable survey of the relevant debates on questions of law
- Miller, D. Political Philosophy: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2003
- Minogue, K. Politics: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 1995: readable and very short
- Raphael, D. D. Problems of Political Philosophy, Palgrave 1990: readable, thematic approach
- Rosen & Wolff, Political Thought, OUP 1999
- Swift, A. Political Philosophy: a Beginner's Guide for Students and Politicians (2nd ed.), Polity 2006: concentrates on the themes of social justice, liberty, equality and community, and manages to condense many wide-ranging debates in clear and succinct discussions
- Thomas, G. Introduction to Political Philosophy, Duckworth 2000: much lengthier than Wolff, but still very clear and readable
- Wolff, J. An Introduction to Political Philosophy, OUP 1996: a very readable introductory book
- Zwolinski, M. Arguing About Political Philosophy, Routledge 2009
- Specifically on tolerance: McKinnon, C. Toleration, Routledge 2005
- Baggini, J. Philosophy: Key Themes, Palgrave MacMillan 2002: written for the A Level
- Barrow, R. An Introduction to Moral Philosophy and Moral Education, Routledge 2007
- Benn, P. Ethics, UCL Press 1998: a careful and accurate introduction across the whole range of normative and metaethical issues.
- Blackburn, S. Being Good, OUP 2001: a lively, engaging, and quick introduction to the main issues of ethics, written in a very clear style.
- Blackburn, S. Ethics: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2003
- Crisp. R. Mill on Utilitarianism, Routledge 1997: a thorough, but clear, treatment of Bentham and Mill's utilitarianism
- DeGrazia, D. Animal Rights: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2002
- Fisher & Kirchin, Arguing About Metaethics, Routledge 2006
- Glover, J. Causing Death and Saving Lives, Penguin 1977: as with Singer, but more detailed
- Hope, T. Medical Ethics: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2004
- Jones, G. Exploring Ethics, John Murray 2000
- Mackie, J. Ethics: Inventing Right and Wrong, Penguin 1977 (or Viking 1991): the first two chapters present a powerful attack on moral realism
- Mizzoni, J. Ethics:The Basics, Wiley-Blackwell 2009
- Norman, R. The Moral Philosophers, Clarendon Press 1983: one of the best introductions to the normative and metaethical theories of ethics via the great philosophers who held them. It also includes a good discussion of moral realism
- Rachels, J. Can Ethics Provide Answers?, Rowman & Littlefield 1996
- Rachels, J. The Elements of Moral Philosophy (5th ed.), McGraw-Hill 2006: one of the clearest, mid-length introductions to ethics there is. He considers normative theories in relation to practical issues.
- Singer, P. (ed.) A Companion to Ethics, Blackwell 1991: an irreplaceable resource. Each essay, written for the beginner, is an excellent survey of a single topic.
- Singer, P. Practical Ethics (2nd ed.), CUP 1993: defending a utilitarian standpoint but discussing a wide range of arguments in practical ethics.
- Smart, J. & Williams, B. Utilitarianism: For and Against, CUP 1973: one of the most informative discussions of utilitarianism - its structure, its motives, and its problems.
- Stewart, N. Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, Polity Press 2008
- Williams, B. Morality, CUP 1976: difficult, but excellent, discussions of subjectivism, relativism, the idea of 'good', and utilitarianism.
- Baggini, J. Atheism: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2003
- Baggini, J. Philosophy: Key Themes, Palgrave MacMillan 2002
- Clack, B. & Clack, B. The Philosophy of Religion: A Critical Introduction (2nd ed), Polity Press 2008
- Davies, B. (ed.) Philosophy of Religion: a Guide and Anthology, OUP 2000
- Davies, B. (ed.) Philosophy of Religion: a Guide to the Subject, Cassell 1998
- Davies, B. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, OUP 1993
- Evans, C. S. Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion, InterVarsity Press 2002
- Hick, J. Philosophy of Religion, 4th ed., Prentice Hall 1990
- Hughes, G. Is God to Blame? (on the problem of evil), Veritas 2007
- Jackson, R. The God of Philosophy, The Philosopher's Magazine 2001
- Jones, G. et. al. Philosophy of Religion, John Murray 2005
- Mitchell, B. (ed.) The Philosophy of Religion, OUP 1971
- Palmer, M. The Philosophy of Religion: A Commentary and Sourcebook, Lutterworth 2008
- Peterson, M. et. al. Reason and Religious Belief
Quinn & Taliaferro (ed.) A Companion to Philosophy of Religion, Blackwell 1999
- Swinburne, R. The Coherence of Theism, Clarendon Press 1993
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- a href='http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0415988624/alevelphiloso-21' class='mainlink'>Timpe, K. Arguing About Religion, Routledge 2009
- Vardy, P. The Puzzle of God, 3rd ed., Fount 1999
- Baggini, J. Philosophy: Key Themes, Palgrave MacMillan 2002: written for the A level
- Blackmore, S. Consciousness: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2005
- Crane, T. Elements of Mind, OUP 2002: an excellent, but occasionally challenging, introduction to intentionality, the mind-body problem, consciousness, propositional attitudes and perception
- Crane, T. The Mechanical Mind, Penguin 1995: an excellent introduction to topics on the border between philosophy of mind and philosophy of cognitive science
- Gertler & Shapiro, Arguing About the Mind, Routledge 2007
- Graham, G. Philosophy of Mind, Blackwell 1998: a very approachable and engaging introduction to many topics on the syllabus
- Guttenplan, S. (ed.) Companion to Philosophy of Mind, Blackwell 1994: an indispensable reference work with entries on many of the concepts and topics covered in the syllabus
- Heil, J. Philosophy of Mind: a Contemporary Introduction (2nd ed.), Routledge 2004: a solid, introductory textbook written in a clear and well-organised way with the beginner in mind
- Kim, J. Philosophy of Mind, Westview 1996: as for Heil
- Maslin, K. An Introduction to Philosophy of Mind (2nd ed.), Polity Press 2007
- Maslin, K. An Introduction to Philosophy of Mind, Polity Press 2001: written for the A level
- Smith & Jones Philosophy of Mind, CUP 1986: as for Heil
- Dickie, G. Introduction to Aesthetics, OUP 1997
- Lyas, C. Aesthetics, Routledge 1997
- Neill & Ridley, Arguing About Art, Routledge 2007
- Sheppard, A. Aesthetics, OUP 1987
- Warburton, N. The Art Question, Routledge 2003
- Wollheim, R. Art and Its Objects, CUP 1980
- Loux, M. Metaphysics, Routledge 2006, Ch. 1, 2
- O'Hear, A. What Philosophy Is (esp. Ch. 1, pp. 11-86), Penguin 2002
- Rea, M. Arguing About Metaphysics, Routledge 2009
- Russell, B. Problems of Philosophy (various editions, e.g. Opus 2001)
- Van Inwagen, Metaphysics, Westview Press 2002
- Annas, J. Plato: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2002
- Daniel, D. Briefly: Plato's Republic, SCM Press 2006
- Flew, A. Introduction to Western Philosophy, Thames & Hudson, 1989, Ch. 2
- Pappas, N. Plato and the Republic, Routledge 2003, esp. Ch. 3, 7
- Press, G. Plato: A Guide for the Perplexed, Continuum 2007
- Purshouse, L. Plato's Republic, Continuum 2006
- Baggini, J. Philosophy: Key Texts, Palgrave MacMillan 2002
- Daniel, D. Briefly: Descartes' Meditations, SCM Press 2006
- Francks, R. Descartes' Meditations, Continuum 2008
- Hatfield, G. Descartes and the Meditations, Routledge 2003
- Jones, G. et. al. The Meditations: Rene Descartes, John Murray 2006
- Skirry, J Descartes: A Guide for the Perplexed, Continuum 2008
- Sorell, T. Descartes: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2000
- Southwell, G. A Beginner's Guide to Descartes' Meditations, Blackwell 2008
- Williams, B. Descartes: the Project of Pure Enquiry, Penguin 1985/Routledge 2005
- Ayer, A. J. Hume: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2000
- Baggini, J. Philosophy: Key Texts, Palgrave MacMillan 2002
- Bailey & O'Brien, Hume's Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, Continuum 2006
- Coventry, A. Hume: A Guide for the Perplexed, Continuum 2007
- Daniels, D. Briefly: Hume's Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, SCM Press 2007
- Noonan, H. Hume on Knowledge, Routledge 1999
- Berger, F. Happiness, Justice and Freedom, University of California Press 1984
- Gray, J. J. S. Mill's 'On Liberty' in Focus, Routledge 1991
- Gray, J. Mill On Liberty: a Defence, Routledge 1996
Myerson, G. Mill's On Liberty, Hodder Arnold 2001
- Riley, J. Mill on Liberty, Routledge 1998
- Ryan, A. The Philosophy of John Stuart Mill, Palgrave Macmillan 1998
- Scarre, G. Mill's On Liberty, Continuum 2007
- Acampora & Pearson, Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Continuum 2010
- Burnham, D. Reading Nietzsche, Acumen 2007
- Daniel, D. Briefly: Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, SCM Press 2007
- Hill, R K Nietzsche: A Guide for the Perplexed, Continuum 2007
- Southwell, G. A Beginner's Guide to Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, Wiley Blackwell 2009
- Tanner, M. Nietzsche: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2000
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