Book excerpt: First published in 1999. The purpose of this series is to provide a contemporary assessment and history of the entire course of philosophical thought. Each book constitutes a detailed, critical introduction to the work of a philosopher of major influence and significance. The arguments of the philosophers take on many differing forms. Those of George Santayana bear little similarity to what we find today in the Journal of Philosophy: indeed, some have been misled by his imagery and splendid prose style to believe that no arguments are being made at all in Santayana’s many books. Timothy Sprigge’s gift is an ability to draw clear ties between these writings and important contemporary issues, and to show that Santayana makes a contribution to today’s arguments.