I have spent years in a failed attempt to understand what the various and contradictory philosohers were trying to say. I knew they all disagreed with each other and I could tell that a philosophy book contained an on-going debate, or several debates. But, since I did not have any background in the particular specialities that were ultra-familiar to the philosopher/writer, I could not make an informed judgment as to the winner in any particular debate. As a matter of fact, I found it very difficult to even enter into the discussions as a reader of debates that have remained in progress for centuries.
Philosophy seems to enjoy its elitist status and inscrutable outward shell, and to savor its webs of insider information and abstract gossip. Which is all the exact opposite of what got philosophy underway in the first place.
This is where Guy Robinson steps in to change things.
This book provides the key to entering the subject matter of philosophy which has been missing. In fact, it provides several such keys. It even directs one's attention to problems that normally go unperceived and/or unarticulated as problems.
In reading this book I have learned as much about my own mistaken views as I have learned about the nature of people, the world, and philosophy. The experience has been extraordinary.
In this book, Guy Robinson slices through the ancient layers of dusty, empty words which have encrusted and entombed philosophy to reveal an amazingly vibrant and living human activity still taking place. Yes, philosophy lives! Guy Robinson is a wonderful writer and a natural teacher who is obviously committed to the task of equipping any interested observer with the analytical tools necessary to acquiring a clearer view of how things work in the world.
Guy Robinson made clear for me what philosophy can be and how it is actually conducted by a real philosopher. I am extremely pleased to have discovered this man's work.
If you have had difficulty with philosophy in the past, please give this book an opportunity to begin clearing things up for you. It matters whether life and philosophy make sense; and towards that end, this book is the a critical first and very welcome step.