Benedict de Spinoza is a major philosopher of enduring influence and importance. This title offers an account and analysis of Spinoza's key works and overall philosophical project. It covers his "Ethics" and political treatises. It includes an assessment of Spinoza's influence and his relevance for contemporary philosophical debates and concerns.

Paul's thought explored by contemporary philosophers

George Berkeley (1685-1753) was one of the most important and influential philosophers in the history of Western thought. This book provides a detailed overview of Berkeley's philosophy, an interpretation of his arguments, and the opportunity for the reader to critically engage with Berkeley's philosophical moves.

Introduces Jacques Derrida's major works and ideas by tracing Derrida's reading (and re-reading) of Plato, Aristotle and Hegel throughout his writings. This book encourages the reader to enter Derrida's varied and complex legacy through the moments in Derrida's work that are concerned with the question of origins and beginnings.

Rene Descartes was the founding father of modern Western philosophy and a pivotal thinker in the history of this subject. Covering various concepts of his work, this book provides an introduction to the ideas of this philosopher. It explores his major "The Meditations on First Philosophy" and his basic methodology of philosophical questioning.

G.W.F. Hegel is without doubt one of the most important and influential thinkers in the whole history of philosophy. Providing coverage of a range of Hegel's ideas, this book offers examinations of his key texts, including "The Phenomenology of Spirit" and "The Philosophy of Right".

Covering many key concepts of Heidegger's work, this title provides an introduction to the ideas that are embodied in his magnum opus, "Being and Time". Thematically structured, it encourages the reader to engage with Heidegger's thought, leading him or her to a more thorough understanding of the roots of his philosophical concerns.

Thomas Hobbes was one of the important and influential philosophers of the seventeenth century. Covering various key concepts of his work, this book provides an introduction to the ideas of this significant thinker. It leads the reader through the full range of Hobbes' ideas and, uniquely, not just his political philosophy.

Soren Kierkegaard was one of the most important European philosophers of the nineteenth-century, the founder of existentialism whose work had a profound influence on some of the greatest minds of the last two centuries. This work offers an introduction to Kierkegaard, guiding the student through the key concepts of his work.

Gottfried Leibniz was one of the most important and influential philosophers of the seventeenth century and, alongside Descartes and Spinoza, one of the three great Rationalist thinkers. Covering the key concepts of his work, this book provides an accessible introduction to the ideas of this hugely significant thinker.

John Locke is widely regarded as one of the foundational thinkers of modern western society. His contributions to a huge range of philosophical debates are as important and influential now as they were in the seventeenth century. This title provides an accessible introduction to the ideas of this hugely significant thinker.

John Stuart Mill was one of the most important and influential British philosophers. Offering coverage of a range of Mill's ideas, this book explores his contributions to metaphysics and epistemology, logic, psychology, political economy, ethics, utilitarianism, and liberalism.

Presents an introduction to Nietzsche, guiding the student through the key concepts of his work by examining the overall development of his ideas. Covering the key concepts of Nietzsche's work, this book provides an introduction to the development of and motivation behind the ideas that are embodied in his key works.

Jean Jacques Rousseau is one of the most important and influential thinkers of the Enlightenment period and, indeed, of the whole history of philosophy. His political theory heavily influenced the French Revolution, development of socialist theory and the growth of nationalism. This book presents an overview of Rousseau's thought.

Ludwig Wittgenstein was arguably the most important and influential philosopher of the twentieth century. Covering the key concepts of his work, this book provides an introduction to the ideas of this hugely significant thinker. It leads the reader through an overview of the development of Wittgenstein's thought.

Looking at history, philosophy, economics, art and politics, this book reveals the many ingenious ways that great minds have overcome their worries.

Gregory Bateson was a philosopher, anthropologist, photographer, naturalist and poet, as well as the husband and collaborator of Margaret Mead. This anthology of his major work contains a foreword by his daughter Mary Katherine Bateson.

Providing ancient and modern-day examples to illustrate Stoic principles, this book guides readers through the themes and ideas of Stoic thought. It presents Stoicism as an ethically viable way of life through rejecting their notion of ethical perfectionism in favour of a type of ethical progressivism consistent with other Stoic principles.

A highly accessible introduction for anyone who wants to gain a new perspective on philosophy's biggest thoughts.

Included in the BEST OF GRANTA launch list for 2023: an exciting, radical work of philosophy that challenges our most cherished assumptions about what it means to be human

The winner of the Guardian First Book Award that reinvented the biographic form. One of the ten books - novels, memoirs and one very unusual biography - that make up our Matchbook Classics' series, a stunningly redesigned collection of some of the best loved titles on our backlist.