Luc Ferry—a renowned French philosopher, essayist, and politician (who served as Minister of Youth, Education, and Research from 2002 to 2004)—addresses his new book to anyone who, without being a professional philosopher, wishes to gain an understanding of the subject that goes beyond a mere listing of thinkers' names and their theories. By highlighting four key milestones in the history of Western thought—ancient Stoicism, modern rationalism, the philosophy of Nietzsche, and postmodernism—Ferry demonstrates how these schools of thought, by refining and building upon one another, address fundamental human questions regarding knowledge, morality, and salvation. While serving as a concise and accessible introduction to philosophy, the book also presents a coherent exposition of the author's own perspective on the current state of thought.