The Path of Philosophy: Truth, Wonder, and Distress

by John Marmysz

The Path of Philosophy introduces you to the study of philosophy through a compelling narrative in which the world's most important philosophers appear as characters. The text traces the history of western philosophy from its beginnings in ancient Greece to contemporary developments in the modern world. Threads running through the text demonstrate how philosophy is unique and distinct from religion and science, while at the same time showing how all three disciplines are interrelated. Exceptionally well written, and unusual in its cohesiveness, the text leaves you with a vivid picture of philosophy as a unique and spiritually important field of study.

Genres: Philosophy

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

John Marmysz holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from State University of New York at Buffalo. His primary research interests focus on the issue of nihilism and its cultural manifestations.

Marmysz is the author of The Nihilist's Notebook (Moralinefree Publishing, 1996), Laughing at Nothing: Humor as a Response to Nihilism (SUNY Press, 2003), The Path of Philosophy: Truth, Wonder and Distress (Cengage, 2011), The Nihilist: A Philosophical Novel (No Frills Buffalo, 2015), and Cinematic Nihilism: Encounters, Confrontations, Overcomings (Edinburgh University Press, 2017). He is coeditor (with Scott Lukas) of Fear, Cultural Anxiety and Transformation: Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films Remade (Lexington Books, 2009). Marmysz has also written articles, reviews, and essays for a variety of magazines, journals, and collections. A second edition of The Path of Philosophy is forthcoming from Bloomsbury Academic in 2026.

"Writing about and researching the topic of nihilism helps me to remember how meaningless life really is. Running, motorcycling and listening to punk rock music helps me to forget," says Marmysz.

Marmysz is an associate editor for The Philosophy of Humor Yearbook (De Gruyter), is the recipient of a SUNY Chancellor's Award For Excellence in Scholarship and Creativity, and has served as an NEH fellow. He teaches philosophy at the College of Marin in Kentfield, CA.