Their third and most important task is to stimulate and inspire us to ask questions and seek answers for ourselves. And inevitably when the psyche is explored, the gap between religion and philosophy rapidly narrows. Indeed for philosophers in the more distant past there was no gap at all, since philosophy was an aspect of theology and even mysticism. Although religious institutions are now quite weak, questions of spiritual philosophy are being asked more keenly and urgently than ever. This series is an invitation to readers, with no philosophical training whatsoever, with the great philosophers of the spirit.
Most philosophy nowadays is served in the form of brief summaries written by commentators.
Each of these books contains an introduction to the life and ideas of the philosopher in question. But thereafter the reader encounters the philosopher's original words - translated into modern English. They are never dull, always challenging, and frequently entertaining. Serving as the perfect precursor to further reading and investigation, the 'Philosophers Of The Spirit' series enables texts, theories and philosophies to facilitate understanding of often complex and confusing doctrines, beliefs and ideals. These little books both inform and inspire.