The Heart of Philosophy

Philosophy as it is frequently taught in classrooms bears little relation to the impassioned and immensely practical search for self-knowledge conducted by not only its ancient avatars but also by men and woman who seek after truth today. In The Heart of the Philosophy, Jacob Needleman provides a "user's guide" for those who would take philosophy seriously enough to understand its life-transforming qualities.

An intriguing look at philosophy and some of its greatest ancient teachers.

Needleman (philosophy, San Francisco State U.) argues that great philosophical ideas can occupy an important place in the everyday life of contemporary people. He has added a new preface to the 1982 Alfred A. Knopf edition. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Jacob Needleman is a professor of philosophy at San Francisco State University, and the former director of the Center for the Study of New Religions at the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. His many books include The American Soul, Money and the Meaning of Life, and Time and the Soul.