Philosophy, 100 Essential Thinkers tells the story of philosophic thought, from the ancient Greeks to W.V.O. Quine, America's greatest living philosopher up until his death on Christmas Day, 2000. While covering all of the greats of philosophy (Plato, Socrates, Spinoza, Hobbes, Rousseau, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, de Beauvoir and Camus, to name just a few), this book also includes many who are not seen primarily as philosophers, such as Darwin, Freud, Adam Smith, William James, and Einstein. Taking up the fundamental questions asked by philosophers, such as-What does it mean to live a good life? What is justice? What can we really know?-Philosophy presents the many fascinating conclusions at which thinkers such as Marcus Aurelius, Heidegger, and Sartre have arrived. Full of thought-provoking quotations, biographical detail, and clear explanations, Philosophy is food for the intellectually curious. Who am I? Many of the fundamental questions of philosophy are questions that we begin to ask ourselves as young adults when we look at the world around us, at ourselves, and try to make sense of things. This engaging and accessible book invites the reader to explore the questions and arguments of philosophy through the work of one hundred of the greatest thinkers within the Western intellectual tradition. Covering philosophical, scientific, political and religious thought over a period of 2500 years, Philosophy will serve as an excellent guide for those interested in knowing about individual thinkers-such as Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau and Nietzsche, to name just a few-and the questions and observations that inspired them to write. By presenting individual thinkers, details of their lives and the concerns and circumstances that motivated them, this book makes philosophy come to life as a relevant and meaningful approach to thinking about the contemporary world. A lucid and engaging book full of thought-provoking quotations, as well as clear explanations and definitions, Philosophy is sure to encourage students and laymen alike to investigate further. Philosophy includes a 10-page glossary that defines 69 terms including aesthetics, concept, essence, materialism, natural law, theism and verifiability.