Fortress Press

Professor Hall's work is not just an introduction or guide to philosophy as an academic discipline, but an excellent guide to how to live philosophically. Bringing in ancient Greek philosophy (particularly Plato) and Buddhist philosophy (sticking close to the Buddha himself) also provides a multicultural richness not generally found in such a concise introductory text. Highly recommended for students but really for anyone interested in some of the ways that philosophy can help us live intellectually richer, morally better, and generally more fulfilling lives.

Writing in the tradition of Pierre Hadot but with a voice and perspective honed by decades of undergraduate teaching, W. David Hall makes a compelling case for the value of philosophy as a fundamentally human endeavor whose goal is to avoid self-deception and attune one's life to reality. Hall writes in an engaging prose style that provides lucid summaries of major philosophical schools and figures without ever getting bogged down or losing track of his larger theme: that the human capacity for self-delusion makes philosophy necessary. The result is a clearly structured volume that packs a wealth of content and insight into a concise frame. It will be a helpful and timely guide to living and thinking philosophically for anyone who wonders how to live a good and meaningful life--especially in a cultural moment when the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood is severely strained.