Most important, philosophy is a personally relevant activity to every conscious being. I want to outline some of the history and character of Western philosophy, but my primary aim is to make clear the direct significance of philosophy to you, dear reader. I maintain that every living and aware human being has a stake in the philosophical enterprise. This is because every human being has a belief-system that mediates the perceptions, values, assumptions, and understandings that make up a unique individual. Many people never think about their own belief-system, but take it for granted as just given. People have the remarkable ability to reflect on themselves. Because of this, we can explore, evaluate, and even change our own belief-systems in a purposeful way. Through self-investigation we can increase our knowledge of ourselves. Self-knowledge is a form of wisdom, so the roots of philosophy as the love of wisdom comes to be the care for oneself.