Here a man who has enjoyed philosophy

for a long time brilliantly shares his knowl-

edge and enthusiasm. From among the

writings in philosophy that have given him

special pleasure he has chosen some of the

most readable. He offers them here, to-

gether with his comments and explanations.

The reader thus has a chance to plunge

directly into some of the liveliest and most

provocative writings by philosophers, ac-

companied by a seasoned and committed

guide.

Professor Frankel believes that philos-

ophy is a response to a natural impulse. It

is the effort of men to straighten out their

ideas in order to know what they really

think. When none of the prevailing con-

ventions or accepted authorities will help

a man, when his thoughts are confused and

his feelings mixed, and when he tries to

think his way out of this condition, he is

indulging in philosophy. All men know dis-

appointment, confusion, and uncertainty.

Philosophers react to these human experi-

ences by trying to find beliefs and ideas

that will endure beyond surprise and

disappointment.

The philosophers employ logic and

argument, but the joy of philosophy stems

from a unique blend of reason and emo-

tion. The philosopher analyzes; he appeals

to evidence, but his raw materials are

human desires and aspirations, and the

workings of the human mind itself. The

passion which moves through philosophy

emerges in these pages.

At times Professor Frankel argues with

the philosophers as he invites the reader to

discover the spell of problems in philoso-

phy that have been recurrent through the

ages. The book shows why philosophy is a

civilized and intensely pleasurable human

activity, and why it has given delight to

sensitive men in all periods of history.