Difficult philosophy made easy. The universe and our place in it the meaning of life the nature of justice and the good society and the powers of reason. All these topics explored questioned and explained. Plato Aristotle Socrates Stoicism Skepticism Cynicism Continental philosophy ethics government and governing virtue love life and death. Heidegger Husserl MerleauPonty Derrida Bertrand Russell and Michel Foucault.... From famous figures in the history of philosophy to the deepest questions of religion to the relationship between knowledge and power The Handy Western Philosophy Answer Book The Ancient Greek Influence on Modern Understanding makes esoteric ideas and the jumble of names easy to understand enriching readers lives and answering the question What does philosophy have to teach us about life and society Today many people experience a loss of trust in government and organized religion. Theres increased social isolation and a rise in insult politics. Seeking an alternative some have experimented with new forms of politics social organization and spirituality. All these developments have led to a great deal of confusion and puzzlement. Who and what can we believe and how can we know it is correct From its beginning philosophy was conceived as a conversation or dialogue and The Handy Western Philosophy Answer Book raises and offers answers to questions like these ... What is philosophy What is metaphysics What is logic How is ethics different than morality How did PreSocratic philosophy get started What is the arrow paradox Who was Pythagoras How did Stoicism inspire modern cognitive psychotherapy Who was the founder of Western philosophy What is a harmonic sequence in music What are the four cardinal virtues Was pederasty condoned in ancient Greece How according to Plato is philosophy like making love What are the three parts of the soul How does democracy degenerate into tyranny What is the history of Alexander the Greats military campaigns How did Ale