ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in this book. The themes of the book will surprise those who expect a work of philosophy to address itself directly to the question of the truth or falsity of "philosophical theses". According to one fairly common understanding of the task of philosophy, it is to address very general and abstract questions, arguing from premises to conclusions, analyzing basic concepts, and keeping the whole discussion free from the distractions, interruptions and digressions of non-philosophical by-play. The idea is to clarify and elucidate in straightforward fashion various positions in philosophy and then to anticipate and defend them from objections and criticisms. The book aims to raise philosophic consciousness of what is going on in the periphery of philosophical writing. Plato's criticism of poetry and rhetoric stems from his belief that the goal of philosophical inquiry is a truth which lies outside the uncertainties of human life and its vicissitudes.
