From philosophy’s founding fathers like Thales, Socrates, and Plato to great minds of the post-modern era like Sartre, Ayer, and Feyerabend, this essential guide distills the thoughts of the world’s most influential minds and explains their answers to some of philosophy’s key questions. Is there a Supreme Being? Who am I? What is truth? Do we have free will? Why do bad things happen? How should we live? Is death the end of everything? What is the meaning of life?Arranged from the ancient world to the present day, each philosopher’s key ideas, notable works and pronouncements are encapsulated in a series of succinct , easy-to-read biographies, accompanied by illustrations, at-a-glance fact panels and thought-provoking quotations, making this the ideal beginner’s guide for those wanting to get to grips with this fascinating but often daunting subject.