You should ask this question on Metafilter as well. However, some people already have: http://ask.metafilter.com/71101/What-single-book-is-the-best-introducti

You should ask this question on Metafilter as well. However, some people already have: http://ask.metafilter.com/71101/What-single-book-is-the-best-introduction-to-your-field-or-specialization-within-your-field-for-laypeople http://ask.metafilter.com/71101/What-single-book-is-the-best... http://ask.metafilter.com/52701/Philosophy-readings http://ask.metafilter.com/52701/Philosophy-readings http://ask.metafilter.com/26408/crash-course-in-modern-philosophy http://ask.metafilter.com/26408/crash-course-in-modern-philo... Overwhelmingly, with my approval, many suggest reading "The Problems of Philosophy" by Bertrand Russell. It's one of the most accessible and thought provoking books on philosophy I've read. This has already been suggested by someone in this thread with a link to the book (http://www.ditext.com/russell/russell.html http://www.ditext.com/russell/russell.html).