A Little History of Philosophy

Philosophybeginswithquestionsaboutthenatureofrealityandhowweshouldlive.TheseweretheconcernsofSocrates,whospenthisdaysintheancientAthenianmarketplaceaskingawkwardquestions,disconcertingthepeoplehemetbyshowingthemhowlittletheygenuinelyunderstood.ThisengagingbookintroducesthegreatthinkersinWesternphilosophyandexplorestheirmostcompellingideasabouttheworldandhowbesttoliveinit.Infortybriefchapters,NigelWarburtonguidesusonachronologicaltourofthemajorideasinthehistoryofphilosophy.Heprovidesinterestingandoftenquirkystoriesofthelivesanddeathsofthought-provokingphilosophersfromSocrates,whochosetodiebyhemlockpoisoningratherthanliveonwithoutthefreedomtothinkforhimself,toPeterSinger,whoasksthedisquietingphilosophicalandethicalquestionsthathauntourowntimes.Warburtonnotonlymakesphilosophyaccessible,heoffersinspirationtothink,argue,reason,andaskinthetraditionofSocrates.ALittleHistoryofPhilosophypresentsthegrandsweepofhumanity'ssearchforphilosophicalunderstandingandinvitesalltojoininthediscussion.