As this book richly and entertainingly demonstrates, philosophy is as much the search for the right questions as it is the search for the right answers. Robert M. Martin’s popular collection of philosophical puzzles, paradoxes, jokes, and anecdotes is updated and expanded in this third edition, with dozens of new entries.

Robert M. Martin is Professor of Philosophy at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia in Canada. He has authored several books on philosophy, including The Philosopher's Dictionary.

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“The sorts of questions Martin deals with range from the sublime (is it possible to prove the existence of the world outside your own mind?) to the ridiculous (what’s the best strategy to win at Let’s Make A Deal?), but all are aimed at giving his audience the tools they need to look clearly at complex problems, and distinguish false problems from real ones. Those are skills we all need, especially if we’re not very good at common sense, and that, along with Martin’s enthusiasm and sense of humour, makes this a perfect book for anyone who likes to think.” — Alex Rettie, reviewed in Alberta Views (October 2012)

“In this delightful little book Bob Martin has made philosophy both exciting and fun. I’ve recommended earlier editions to all my first-year students, and I’ve gifted it to people aged 12 to 80. Everyone loves it. Philosophy is a collection of puzzles, and Martin covers pretty much all of them, in digestible snippets. If one doesn’t grab you, there’ll be ten more that do.” — Paul Viminitz, University of Lethbridge

“I’ve used this book in teaching Critical Thinking, but really it’s for me. It’s useful and fun, and it reminds me why I love philosophy.” — Ben Caplan, Ohio State University

“A wonderful book. Martin presents a wealth of puzzles, paradoxes and jokes, more than ever before, in this new and updated third edition. Frequently these raise significant philosophical issues, which are thus introduced in a natural and interesting way. This is a superb text for stimulating students’ interest and showing them how much sheer fun can be had from doing philosophy.” — Adam Rieger, University of Glasgow

Comments on a previous edition

“Demonstrates in interesting ways the connections between these puzzles and the great issues that philosophers have debated.” — Peter van Inwagen, Syracuse University

“It will serve as an irresistible enticement to philosophical reflection.” — Geoffrey Sayre-McCord, University of North Carolina