This introduction to philosophy sets out to introduce the interested lay reader to the subject, and to provide the student or academic with a justification for studying it. The authors divide the subject into six fields - metaphysics, ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of science, logic and the philosophy of life. They begin with a definition of philosophy as the study of abstract, ultimate and general problems. They then guide the reader through several major philosphical topics such as existence, knowledge, freedom, God morality, politics, science, reason and human purpose.