Martin Hollis is Professor at the School of Economic and Social Studies at the University of East Anglia. He is author of numerous publications including Models of Man (1977), Philosophy of Social Science (1994) and Reason in Action (1996).

"A wonderful introduction to the subject for both the general reader and the beginning student, and will be read with profit and pleasure by those more seasoned in the discipline." Time Higher Education Supplement (of the first edition) "This book is witty, wide-ranging, punchy, and engrossing. It could not fail to ignite the thoughts of those with even the faintest philosophical spark in them." Journal of Applied Philosophy (of the first edition)

• Acknowledgements. 1. Wonder, Paradox and Vision.2. Reasoning. Proof. Evidence. Scientific Method.3. The Cave.4. Ants, Spiders and Bees.5. The Web of Belief.6. The Elusive "I".7. The Ring of Gyges.8. The Common Good.9. Robots, Apes and Angels.Further Reading.Index.