This is a heavily illustrated introduction to some of the key ideas and figures of philosophy for the interested layperson. Law (philosophy, U. of London, UK) intends for the reader to treat the material in a piecemeal manner and calls the volume a "taster" of the main areas of Western philosophy, as well as some more idiosyncratic matters and also a few topics from non-Western schools of thought. Following discussion of the history of philosophy, he has organized the material largely according to the main branches of philosophy: knowledge, metaphysics, moral philosophy, philosophy of the mind, philosophy of religion, political philosophy, and philosophy of science. Also included is discussion of philosophical methods and brief biographical profiles of a few hundred important philosophers. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)