In this exceptional book, Andre Comte-Sponville introduces the reader to the Western philosophical tradition through a series of brilliant chapters on the "big questions." He reveals the fundamental elements of philosophical thought and shows why philosophy is relevant in our daily lives. With his brilliant and concise writing on ethics, politics, love, death, knowledge, freedom, God, atheism, art, time, Man, and wisdom, he inspires the central question of philosophy - how should we live? - while offering guidelines towards a happier and wiser life.