Surveys the history of human culture and civilization, identifying key themes from throughout five thousand years, with discussion of race, character, morals, religion, economics, government, war, and other topics, and addressing the question of whether progress is real.

An unprecedented and original history of intellectual life throughout the past century.

Exploring the origins of Buddhism and the ethos of the Japanese Samurai, tracing the close connection between the Buddhist way of compassion and the way of the warrior. This book serves as a basic introduction to the history, philosophy, and current practice of Zen as it relates to the Japanese martial arts.

"Are you ready to step inside? Labyrinths are as old as humanity, the proving grounds of heroes, the paths of pilgrims, symbols of spiritual rebirth, and pleasure gardens for pure entertainment. In Follow this thread, Henry Eliot leads us on a twisting journey through the world of mazes, real and imagined, drawing upon mythology, history, philosophy, psychology, pop culture, and more along the way. From Kafka to Kubrick, from the myth of the Minotaur...

This annual anthology brings together the year's finest mathematics writing from around the world-and you don't need to be a mathematician to enjoy the pieces collected here. These essays-from leading names and fresh new voices-delve into the history, philosophy, teaching, and everyday aspects of math, offering surprising insights into its nature, meaning, and practice, and taking readers behind the scenes of today's hottest mathematical debates....

An innovative thinker tackles the controversial question of why we believe in God and how religion shapes our lives and our future. For a growing number of people, there is nothing more important than religion. It is an integral part of their marriage, child rearing, and community. In this daring new book, distinguished philosopher Dennett takes a hard look at this phenomenon and asks why. Where does our devotion to God come from and what purpose...