This is a book about the big questions of life: knowledge, consciousness, fate, God, truth, goodness, and justice. It is aimed at anyone who believes that there are significant questions but does not know how to approach them. The book aims to explain what these questions are and why they matter. Simon Blackburn begins with a compelling plea for the study of philosophy and provides the reader with insights into how great historical figures like Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein have tackled these central themes. Each chapter explains an important topic and offers a standalone guide through the issues that philosophers have explored. The wide range of topics covered includes skepticism, the self, mind and body, freedom, ethics, and arguments for the existence of God. Lively and accessible, this book is ideal for anyone who wants to learn how fundamental thinking techniques shape our existence.