The Many Faces of Wisdom

This broad and readable book makes use of 16 essays on great philosophers to explore and answer the question: “What is philosophy?” It describes each philosopher's life project, his or her motivating sight, and the various theories and concepts resulting from that central discovery. The essays focus on Confucius, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius, St Thomas Aquinas, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Marx, Mill, Nietzsche, James, Wittgenstein, and Beauvoir. Emphasis on their different theories includes their ideas about God, knowledge, society, and other well-know issues. This offers readers a look at varying views on morality, knowledge, and the nature of philosophy itself, and the profound effects of these differences—on priorities, focus, and methods of inquiry. The contributions of diverse authors share a unified belief that the ideas in this book are all important—that understanding a new way of thinking, gaining a new vision of possibilities, and challenging conventional assumptions can change one's life. For anyone who is curious about philosophy or the great philosophers, and anyone who is beginning to question their purpose and meaning, and life's everyday routine.