Bart Nooteboom read mathematics and economics, and had a promotion in econometrics. He read philosophy since he was thirteen, and started writing it when he retired.

In this book he gives a survey of 'continental' philosophy, which is often contrasted with 'analytic' philosophy in the UK and US. Especially 20th century French philosophy created an upheaval, and evokes fundamental questions. This book sets out how a dynamic perspective, of existence as a process, can bring coherence. For that, it collects ideas from earlier publications, and gives a treatment of the dynamics of knowledge, language, ethics, existence and society.

The book avoids jargon and complicated argument, gives illustrations, and is accessible to a wide intellectual audience.