Philosophy, the “love of wisdom”, is the product of our endless fascination and curiosity about the world – the child of wonder. Through it, we seek to answer the most fundamental of questions: How do we know what we know? Does God exist? What is beauty? How should we live our lives? Who am I?

In this exhilarating tour, Peter Cave navigates all the main topics in the subject with verve and clarity, from political philosophy to existentialism. Using witty and whimsical examples, including stoical sofas and Reg, the “regular” human, who just happens to carry his brain in a rucksack, Cave provides a welcome antidote to the dry textbook and underscores philosophy’s enduring relevance today. Interspersed with helpful textboxes and mini biographies of the key thinkers, there is no better introduction for the aspiring sage.