xviii, 426 pages ; 18 cm

This book presents a readable introduction to the lives and times of the great philosophers. It takes us from the inception of Western society Plato's Athens to when the power of Marxism had captured one third of the world. Lavine discusses Western philosophers in terms of the historical and intellectual environment which influenced them, and connects their lasting ideas to the public and private choices we face in America today. The book formed the basis for the PBS television series of the same name.--From publisher description

Includes bibliographical references and index

Introduction: The indestructible questions -- Part one: Plato. Virtue is knowledge ; Shadow and substance ; The divided line ; The tripartite soul ; The ideal state -- Part two: Descartes. Historical transition to the modern world ; Doubting to believe ; God exists ; The clockwork universe ; Body and soul -- Part three: Hume. How do you know? ; "A well-meanin' critter" ; Will the sun rise tomorrow? ; Reason: "Slave of the passions" -- Part four: Hegel. A revolution in thought ; The real is the rational ; Master and slave ; The cunning of reason ; The owl of Minerva -- Part five: Marx. The young Hegelian ; Alienated man ; The conflict of classes ; The world to come -- Part six: Sartre. My existence is absurd ; Nausea ; "Condemned to be free" ; No exit -- Part seven: In search: The contemporary scene in philosophy