• Textbooks
• General introductions
• Philosophical Skills and Critical Thinking
• Epistemology
• Moral Philosophy
• Philosophy of Religion
• Philosophy of Mind

Topics no longer on the A level syllabus

• Political Philosophy
• Free Will and Determinism
• The Value of Art
• Metaphysics
• Plato’s Republic
• Descartes’ Meditations
• Hume’s Enquiry
• Mill’s On Liberty
• Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil

TEXTBOOKS

• Lacewing, M. Philosophy for AS and A Level, Routledge 2017
• Lacewing, M. Philosophy for A-Level, Routledge 2017
• Hayward, J. et al. AQA A Level Philosophy Year 1 and AS, Hodder 2017
• Hayward, J. et al. AQA A Level Philosophy Year 2, Hodder 2018

GENERAL INTRODUCTIONS TO PHILOSOPHY

Short, accessible introductions

• Blackburn, S. Think, OUP 2001
• Cohen, M. 101 Philosophical Problems, Routledge 2013 (4^th ed)
• Craig, E. Philosophy: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2002
• Law, S. The Philosophy Files, Orion 2002; The Outer Limits, Orion 2003; The Philosophy Gym, Hodder Headline 2003: three collections of very accessible short pieces on a wide range of philosophical puzzles
• Nagel, T. What Does It All Mean?, OUP 1987 (reprinted 2004)
• Warburton, N. Philosophy: the Basics (5th ed.), Routledge 2012: the most popular and enduring introduction of them all

More in-depth introductions

• Buckingham, W. et. al., The Philosophy Book, Dorling Kindersley 2011: a wide-ranging historical survey, with a few pages on each topic
• Cave, P. This Sentence is False: An Introduction to Philosophical Paradoxes, Continuum 2009
• Cohen, M. Philosophy for Dummies, Wiley 2010
• Grayling, A. (ed.) Philosophy: a Guide Through the Subject and 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
• Horner, C. & Westacott, E. Thinking Through Philosophy, CUP 2000
• Morton, A. Philosophy in Practice, Blackwell 1995
• Prichard, D. (ed.) What is This Thing Called Philosophy?, Routledge 2016: accessible chapters introducing main areas and concepts of philosophy
• Teichman, J. & Evans, K. Philosophy: a Beginner’s Guide, Blackwell 1991

Two reference works

• Blackburn, S. The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, OUP 1996
• 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

Journals

• • Think (www.royalinstitutephilosophy.org/think/index.php)
  • The Philosopher’s Magazine (www.philosophersnet.com)
  • Philosophy Now (www.philosophynow.org)
  • Dialogue (www.dialogue.org.uk): for Philosophy of Religion and Ethics
  • Philosophy Compass (http://philosophy-compass.com): more in-depth survey articles

 PHILOSOPHICAL SKILLS AND CRITICAL THINKING

Philosophical skills

• Baggini, J. & Fosl, P., The Philosopher’s Toolkit, Wiley-Blackwell, 2010: a very good compendium of clear explanations of concepts and arguments
• Martinich, A., Philosophical Writing (3^rd ed), Wiley-Blackwell, 2005: the Bible on approach and technique
• Saunders, C. et al, Doing Philosophy: a Practical Guide for Students, Continuum, 2008: designed for undergraduates, but with lots of very helpful information on skills
• Warburton, N. The Basics of Essay Writing, Routledge, 2007
• Warburton, Nigel Thinking A to Z, Routledge 2000
• Warburton, N. Philosophy: the Essential Study Guide, Routledge, 2004
• Weston, Anthony A Rulebook for Arguments, Hackett 2000

Critical Thinking

This is a collection of recommendations for undergraduates, but many are suitable for A level students as well. The first three books are perhaps the most popular, and also have on-line back-up. The McKay is particular recommended.

• Govier, Trudy 1992: Practical Study of Argument. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
• Hurley, Patrick 2000: A Concise Introduction to Logic. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
• McKay, Thomas 2000: Reasons, Explanations, and Decisions: Guidelines for Critical Thinking. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
• Beale, J C 2010: Logic: The Basics, London: Routledge

• 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
• Flew, Anthony 1985: Thinking About Thinking. Harper Collins
• Fogelin, Robert Understanding Arguments, Harcourt College Publishers 2001
• Hospers, John An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis, Routledge 1996
• 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
• Whyte, Jamie 2003: Bad Thoughts: A Guide to Clear Thinking, Corvo

EPISTEMOLOGY

• 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
• Carruthers, P. Human Knowledge and Human Nature, OUP 1992: on the origin of concepts and nature of knowledge
• Cole, P. The Theory of Knowledge, Hodder & Stoughton 2002: very accessible, but a little thin
• 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
• Hetherington, S. Epistemology: The Key Thinkers, Continuum 2012: useful for a number of the anthology texts
• Lehrer, K. Theory of Knowledge, 2^nd edition, Perseus 2000: another good introduction, which should be accessible to readers who are less familiar with the theory of knowledge
• Martin, RM Epistemology: A Beginner’s Guide, Oneworld Publications 2010
• Nagel, J Knowledge: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press 2014
• O’Brien, D. An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge, Polity 2006
• Pritchard, D What is this thing called Knowledge?, 3rd Edition, Routledge 2013: very engaging read
• Pritchard & Neta, Arguing About Knowledge, Routledge 2008
• Uzgalis, W. Locke’s Essay on Human Understanding: A Reader’s Guide, Continuum 2007
• Williams, M. Problems of Knowledge: A Critical Introduction to Epistemology, OUP 2001: an excellent introduction, if a bit less easy than Audi

MORAL PHILOSOPHY

General introductions

• Baggini, J. Philosophy: Key Themes, Palgrave MacMillan 2002: written for the A Level
• Benn, P. Ethics, UCL Press 1998: a careful and accurate introduction across the whole range of normative and metaethical issues.
• Bennett, C. What is This Thing Called Ethics?, Routledge 2010: lots of student-friendly features
• 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
• Cave, P. Ethics, Oneworld 2015
• Jones, G. Exploring Ethics, John Murray 2000
• 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 (8th ed.), McGraw-Hill 2014: a favourite of introductory courses, now in its 8th edition.
• 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.
• Williams, B. Morality, CUP 1976: difficult, but excellent, discussions of subjectivism, relativism, the idea of ‘good’, and utilitarianism

On specific theories

• Crisp. R. Mill on Utilitarianism, Routledge 1997: a thorough, but clear, treatment of Bentham and Mill’s utilitarianism
• 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.
• Guyer, P. Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals: A Reader’s Guide, Continuum 2007
• Warne, C. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: A Reader’s Guide, Continuum 2006
• Hughes, G. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Routledge 2013
• Chrisman, M. What is This Thing Called Metaethics?, Routledge 2017

Practical ethics

• DeGrazia, D. Animal Rights: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2002
• Glover, J. Causing Death and Saving Lives, Penguin 1977: as with Singer, but more detailed
• Singer, P. Practical Ethics (2nd ed.), CUP 1993: defending a utilitarian standpoint but discussing a wide range of arguments in practical ethics.
• Young, G. Ethics in the Virtual World, Routledge 2013

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

General introductions

• Clack, B. & Clack, B. The Philosophy of Religion: A Critical Introduction (2nd ed), Polity Press 2008
• Davies, B. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, 3^rd ed, OUP 2004
• Evans, C. S. Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion, InterVarsity Press 2002
• Hick, J. Philosophy of Religion, 4th ed., Prentice Hall 1990
• Jackson, R. The God of Philosophy, The Philosopher’s Magazine 2001
• Jones, G. et. al. Philosophy of Religion, John Murray 2005
• Peterson, M. et. al. Reason and Religious Belief, 4^th ed., OUP 2012
• Sweetman, B. Religion: Key Concepts in Philosophy, Continuum 2007
• Zagzebski, L. Philosophy of Religion: An Historical Introduction, Wiley-Blackwell, 2007

Collections

• 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
• Palmer, M. (ed.) The Philosophy of Religion: A Commentary and Sourcebook, Lutterworth 2008
• Quinn & Taliaferro (ed.) A Companion to Philosophy of Religion, Blackwell 1999
• Timpe, K. (ed.) Arguing About Religion, Routledge 2009

More focused topics or approach

• Baggini, J. Atheism: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2003
• Hughes, G. Is God to Blame?, Veritas 2007: on the problem of evil
• Swinburne, R. The Existence of God, 2^nd ed., OUP 2004
• Swinburne, R. Is There a God?, 2^nd ed., OUP 2010
• Vardy, P. The Puzzle of God, 3rd ed., Fount 1999

PHILOSOPHY OF MIND

• Baggini, J. Philosophy: Key Themes, Palgrave MacMillan 2002: written for the A level
• Blackmore, S. Consciousness: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2005
• Churchland, P. (1988) Matter and Consciousness, rev. ed. (MIT Press): an accessible classic
• 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
• 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 (3^rd ed.), Routledge 2014: a solid, detailed, and very up-to-date textbook written in a clear and well-organised way
• Kim, J. Philosophy of Mind (3^rd ed.), Westview 2011: as for Heil
• Maslin, K. An Introduction to Philosophy of Mind (2nd ed.), Polity Press 2007: written for the A level
• Ravenscroft, I. Philosophy of Mind, OUP 2005: a very clear introduction, pitched for the complete beginner
• Searle, J. Mind: a Brief Introduction, OUP 2004: a different approach that introduces some of the difficult issues in Philosophy of Mind, and where we’ve gone wrong in thinking about them

The following topics are not part of the 2017 AQA syllabus, but are included here for reference.

POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

• 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

FREE WILL AND DETERMINISM

• Honderich, T. How Free Are You?, OUP 2002
• McFee, G. Free Will, Acumen 2000
• Pink, T. Free Will: a Very Short Introduction, OUP 2004
• Watson, G. (ed.) Free Will (2nd ed.), OUP 2003

VALUE OF ART

• 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

METAPHYSICS

• 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

PLATO REPUBLIC

• 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
• Sheppard, D. Plato’s Republic, Edinburgh University Press 2009

DESCARTES MEDITATIONS

• 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

HUME, D. AN ENQUIRY CONCERNING HUMAN UNDERSTANDING

• 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

MILL, J. S. ON LIBERTY

• 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

NIETZSCHE, F. BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL

• 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