The aim of this book is to give some background information to students who are approaching philosophy for the first time. As such, it is not intended to be an introduction to philosophy textbook, but more as a companion to a philosophy introductory course or book. Too many students, in my view, complete their introductory philosophy course without an adequate knowledge about the subject in general.

There is no doubt of course that having taken a philosophy course they will form a good idea what the subject is about, and what it tries to achieve. But they are more likely than not to leave the course with a vague idea as to its long and varied history, the questions surrounding the very nature of the subject itself, about its various branches and sub-branches etc.

The chapters in this book deal with these and other topics that are generally touched upon, but rarely expanded on, in a typical introductory course of philosophy. They would perhaps be given a lecture or two at the beginning of the course. But these topics are almost never considered important enough to be the subject for further lecture or discussion. Yet, I believe that students' understanding of philosophy would be enhanced, and they would encounter less confusion and uncertainty, if they are given information on the topics discussed in this book. In the first chapter, I have outlined the great philosophers' conceptions of philosophy. In doing so, my aim was to show that philosophy is an ever-evolving subject which admits of no final and unanimous definition.