Baggini was born in 1968 inFolkestone, the child of an Italian immigrant father and English mother.[3] He grew up in Kent and was educated at theHarvey Grammar School, Folkestone, from 1980 until 1987.[4] He later attendedReading University and gained a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1990.[5]
In 1997 Baggini co-foundedThe Philosophers' Magazine withJeremy Stangroom.In 1999 he was a founder of the Humanist Philosophers' Group, then part of the British Humanists Association. He is also a patron ofHumanists UK.[9]
In 2009 Baggini was philosopher-in-residence atWellington College, apublic school in Berkshire.[10] In 2012 he was also commissioned by theNational Trust to be the philosopher-in-residence for theWhite Cliffs of Dover where he was required to reflect on the chalk cliffs and their significance to the national identity.[3]
In addition to writing many books about the history and common themes of philosophy, he has also written more generally about the philosophy of food[4] and the nature of 'Englishness'.[14] He speaks regularly at conferences and schools and has frequently spoken out about living without religion, against the teaching in schools ofcreationism, a loss of reason, which[clarification needed] he asserts is "an enemy of mystery and ambiguity,"[15][verification needed] and the benefits ofsecular education.[9]
His 2018 book,How The World Thinks: A Global History Of Philosophy received a warm critical reception, withThe Scotsman describing it as "ingenious and open-hearted"[16] and theFinancial Times a "bold, fascinating book".[17]
The Duck That Won the Lottery: And 99 Other Bad Arguments (published in paperback in UK asDo They Think You're Stupid?) - Granta, 2008ISBN978-1-84708-083-7
