This book iswritten for the student of philosophy who resists philosophy as an unworthysubject of study. To that end, the bookis thus not meant to berate beginners or even antagonists for a negativeimpression of philosophy. The intent ofthe words and explanations and stories on these few pages is to ask thereticent student to consider philosophy as a worthy companion for life. In order to have some success with a ratherHerculean task in such a brief book, the author willingly concedes somecriticisms of philosophy as not only understandable but sometimes justified,and so the hesitant student will hear his own critical voice at times in this text. Such an admission, however, need not detractfrom the affirmation in these pages of the Socratic purposes of philosophy—forlife and for a certain kind of life. Byconceding imperfections in practicing philosophy in the history of philosophy, thisaffirms that there are differentconceptions of philosophy practiced throughout the world and in the history ofphilosophy. In these pages, therefore,philosophy is critiqued as it is at the same time applauded in its Socraticform. To thephilosopher who undertakes to read this book, it will be apparent that my topiccould be pursued from a variety of perspectives. However, because the book is written forstudents, it highlights philosophy from the perspective of the Socratic tradition. This is simply because it is within thattradition that philosophy possesses great potential for redirecting andchanging human lives. When the new andprobably leery student of philosophy makes inquiry about how philosophyinterfaces with life, starting with that tradition is a most fitting place fromwhich to begin philosophy.
