The Little Book of Philosophy

If you want to know your Socrates from your Sartre and your Confucius from your Kant, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of philosophy. Philosophy is a quest for wisdom and knowledge; philosophia in Ancient Greek literally means "love of wisdom". The aim of philosophy is to ask and explore life's big questions to help us work out what we can know and how we can live a good life. Today, in a world of fake news, embarking on a quest for truth couldn't be more important. This pocket-sized introduction to important philosophers and key philosophical ideas includes accessible primers on: - The early Greek philosophers and the "big three": Socrates, Plato and Aristotle - Key schools of philosophy from around the world - from ancient philosophy right up to the present day - and their impact on modern life - Insights into the main questions philosophers have explored over the years: Who am I? What is the meaning of life? Do I have free will? - Practical applications for the theories of Descartes, Kant, Wollstonecraft, Marx, Nietzsche and many more. This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how human ideas have sculpted the world we live in and the way we think today. A perfect gift for anyone taking their first steps into the world of philosophy, as well as for those who want to brush up their knowledge.

If you want to know your Socrates from your Sartre and your Confucius from your Kant, strap in for this whirlwind tour of the highlights of philosophy. Philosophy is a quest for wisdom and knowledge; philosophia in Ancient Greek literally means "love of wisdom". The aim of philosophy is to ask and explore life's big questions to help us work out what we can know and how we can live a good life. Today, in a world of fake news, embarking on a quest for truth couldn't be more important. This pocket-sized introduction to important philosophers and key philosophical ideas includes accessible primers on: - The early Greek philosophers and the "big three": Socrates, Plato and Aristotle - Key schools of philosophy from around the world - from ancient philosophy right up to the present day - and their impact on modern life - Insights into the main questions philosophers have explored over the years: Who am I? What is the meaning of life? Do I have free will? - Practical applications for the theories of Descartes, Kant, Wollstonecraft, Marx, Nietzsche and many more. This illuminating little book will introduce you to the key thinkers, themes and theories you need to know to understand how human ideas have sculpted the world we live in and the way we think today. A perfect gift for anyone taking their first steps into the world of philosophy, as well as for those who want to brush up their knowledge.

Learn everything you need to know about the world of philosophy- from the key thinkers to modern concepts in a brand new portable size. To the complete novice learning about philosophy can be daunting - The Little Book of Philosophy changes all that. With the use of powerful and easy-to-follow images, famous quotations, and explanations that are easily understandable, this book cuts through any misunderstandings to demystify the subject. Each chapter is organised chronologically, and covers not only the big ideas, but the philosophers who first voiced them, as well as cross-referencing with earlier and later ideas and thinkers. The Little Book of Philosophy untangles knotty theories and sheds light on abstract concepts, and is perfect for anyone with a general interest in how our social, political, and ethical ideas are formed, as well as students of philosophy and politics. Covers major and niche topics, from moral ethics to philosophies of religion.

Learn everything you need to know about the world of philosophy- from the key thinkers to modern concepts in a brand new portable size. To the complete novice learning about philosophy can be daunting - The Little Book of Philosophy changes all that. With the use of powerful and easy-to-follow images, famous quotations, and explanations that are easily understandable, this book cuts through any misunderstandings to demystify the subject. Each chapter is organised chronologically, and covers not only the big ideas, but the philosophers who first voiced them, as well as cross-referencing with earlier and later ideas and thinkers. The Little Book of Philosophy untangles knotty theories and sheds light on abstract concepts, and is perfect for anyone with a general interest in how our social, political, and ethical ideas are formed, as well as students of philosophy and politics. Covers major and niche topics, from moral ethics to philosophies of religion.

In this remarkable little book, Andre Comte-Sponville introduces the reader to the western philosophical tradition in a series of sparkling chapters on the 'big questions'. In doing so he reveals the essential bones of philosophical thought and shows why philosophy is relevant in our day-to-day lives. In his brilliant and concise writing on morality, politics, love, death, knowledge, freedom, God, atheism, art, time, Man, and wisdom, he inspires the central question of philosophy - how should we live? - and provides the reader with signposts towards a happier, wiser life.

In this remarkable little book, Andre Comte-Sponville introduces the reader to the western philosophical tradition in a series of sparkling chapters on the 'big questions'. In doing so he reveals the essential bones of philosophical thought and shows why philosophy is relevant in our day-to-day lives. In his brilliant and concise writing on morality, politics, love, death, knowledge, freedom, God, atheism, art, time, Man, and wisdom, he inspires the central question of philosophy - how should we live? - and provides the reader with signposts towards a happier, wiser life.