Death in a Shallow Pond: A Philosopher, a Drowning Child, and Strangers in Need by David Edmonds
Is this a history of philosophers? Or thought experiments? I'm not sure what the full goal of this book was, but it was a fun time. There are a number of thought experiences that boil down to "would you allow harm to come to somebody if it would reduce harm to a greater number of people?" In many cases, we we would do things that would not maximize total value. However, things are not that simple. When we know we cause harm or death to somebody, we feel the pain. The "saving" of others is often a theoretical. The book even pops in a real life "experience" similar to the thought experiments. Things end up a bit different in real life.
Parfit is a well written biography that does a great job painting the life of Derek Parfit. He was somewhat of a child prodigy. Born in China of British parents engaging in missionary-related work, he had a somewhat privileged upbringing. He did well in school and had his share of youthful craziness. He went through some academic processes. (The details would have been clearer to those familiar with the British school system.) He was able to study in America and eventually switched to philosophy. He had characteristics of those on the autism spectrum (aspergers) He would be a perfectionist in his writing, even complaining about font spacing. He also took time to comment on others work.