This concise, crearly written book provides the beginning student or general reader with the necessary perspective and critical insight to pursue further readings in philosophy. The text reviews the thoughts of Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Berekley, Hume and Kant; presents major issues in metaphysics and the relationship between philosophy and science; examines Cartesian rationalism and other theories of knowledge; considers moral responsiblities and problems in ethics; and reviews some arguments for the existence of God as it discusses the philosophy of religion. Trends in 20th-century philosophy — pragmatism, analytical philosophy, logical positivism, and existentialism — are discussed in the concluding chapter. This informative text provides an excellent introduction to the disclipline of philosophy and will be useful either in classroom discussions or independent reading.