The Philosophy Prescription, by Jack Maden

NEW!

BOOK

The Philosophy Prescription: Lessons from Big Thinkers for Every Stage of Life

By Jack Maden | Released 3rd September 2026

What do philosophers have to tell us about actually living our everyday lives? Explore how philosophers old and new can help us think with a fresh perspective on common life stages, from being someone's child and experiencing first love, to handling retirement and facing impermanence.

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“You didn’t ask to be born, but now you’re here, you have questions - about relationships, work, aging, illness, death, and how to live. In The Philosophy Prescription, Jack Maden draws on the insights of philosophers throughout history to answer existential questions and encourage us to ask them. A wonderfully accessible, wide-ranging introduction to philosophy as a guide for life.”

— Professor Kieran Setiya, author of Life is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way

“This is a truly welcome addition to the popular-philosophy genre: deep, wise and wide in range, yet both accessible and strikingly relevant in what it draws from the rich tradition of philosophy's insights into life and its challenges. Greatly to be recommended.”

— Professor A. C. Grayling, author of The History of Philosophy

“A primer on the best thoughts - and best questions - humanity has ever had. An engaging read, full of wisdom. You'll revisit it over and over again.”

— Professor Scott Hershovitz, author of Nasty, Brutish and Short: Adventures in Philosophy With Kids

The Philosophy Prescription proves that philosophy isn't for stuffy academics in ivory towers and woolly cardigans - it's for everyone. Maden has a rare talent for being able to translate huge and complex ideas into something we can all understand and apply to our lives. In here you'll find ancient wisdom from the titans of the philosophical canon alongside curious tidbits from the dusty obscura at the back of the bookshop. Every page offers something to think about, something to try, or something to take into the rest of your day. An utter gem of a book - wise, warm, and quietly life-changing. ”

— Jonny Thomson, author of Mini Philosophy