The Philosophy Book for Beginners: A Brief Introduction to Great Thinkers and Big Ideas

Explore big questions and understand complex philosophy

Who are you? What is truly real? Is there such a thing as free will? If you have ever considered questions like these, that's philosophy. The Philosophy Book for Beginners breaks down the core concepts of both Eastern and Western philosophy in clear language that explains the most important people and ideas. You'll develop an understanding of the basic ideas and see your understanding of the world expand―no dense, academic texts required.

• The major branches―Explore the central questions of metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and axiology as you see how they changed over time.
• A wide range of thinkers―Discover the diverse perspectives of philosophers, from Socrates in the fifth century BCE to modern-day thinkers like Martha Nussbaum.
• Thought experiments―Each chapter focuses on a topic, like existentialism, stoicism, or radical faith, and ends with a related thought experiment for you to ponder.

Gain a solid understanding of philosophy, with a book that makes it easy to grasp and relevant to the world today.

Sharon Kaye, PhD, is a professor of philosophy at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. She publishes articles, textbooks, and philosophical novels while directing her own Philosophy for Kids program.