How ought we to live? What really exists? How do we know? This book introduces important themes in ethics knowledge & the self via readings from Plato Hume Descartes Hegel Darwin & Buddhist writers It emphasizes throughout the point of doing philosophy explains how different areas of philosophy are related & explores the contexts in which philosophy was & is done ABOUT THE SERIES The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas & enthusiasm to make interesting & challenging topics highly readable