Offers an introduction to philosophy, suitable for general readers and first-year students coming to this subject for the first time. This guide covers various key terms, concepts and thinkers. It features more than 100 jargon-free entries on topics from Animal Ethics to Wittgenstein and includes witty anecdotes and handy tips on further reading. "Philosophy, with its ancient pedigree and steep learning curve, seems to demand encyclopedias and patient introductions. Yet, with all the excellent print and Internet resources available, is another really necessary?...on the whole the work is hit-and-miss, falling prey to that temptation to drop names and linguistics formulas in secondary works of philosophy regardless of necessity and without explanation. It is difficult to discern the intended audience here: the complete newcomer will find that the work requires a prerequisite familiarity with philosophical language, while advanced readers are better served by the large number of more rigorous and lucid introductions. An optional purchase." -Steven Chabot, Library Journal, Vol. 134 No.2, February 1, 2009