The Little Book of Philosophy: An Introduction to the Key Thinkers and Theories You Need to Know (Summersdale)

"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.

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Rachel Poulton is a writer, photographer and art and philosophy teacher who writes about philosophy, music and messy hair and loves to explore life's mysteries. She lives in West Sussex with her two curious and wonder-filled children.