This book, which is accompanied by a CD-Rom, will prove to be an essential tool for anyone who wishes to discover and understand philosophical thought.

Philosophy is presented here in 28 lessons, originally conceived for students in the final year of French secondary schools. The lessons cover the ideas of some of the greatest philosophers of all time (Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, Kant and Hegel) as well as some of the most important contemporary thinkers (Bourdieu, Lacan, Foucault, Rawls, Rorty and Derrida). With great clarity and rigour, the authors delve into some of the main questions of contemporary philosophy. They examine the implications of recent scientific discoveries (in biology and astrophysics, for example) and some key issues raised by bio-ethics, the environment, the European constitution, and the relations between society and religion. A glossary of philosophical terms and a complete repertory of philosophers complete the book.

Alain Renaut is a university professor of philosophy and the author of numerous works. He has translated Kant into French and, in 2002, he participated in the overhaul of the official philosophy curriculum as taught in the final year of the French high-school system.
Jean-Cassien Billier, Patrick Savidan and Ludivine Thiaw-Po-Une are philosophy teachers and research fellows at the University of Paris-Sorbonne.