Stephen A. Simon is Associate Professor of Political Science and Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law at the University of Richmond.

“Humans seek explanations for everything, but what could possibly explain the most fundamental fact of all—that anything exists? With clarity and depth, this book carries readers on a fascinating and balanced journey through science, philosophy, and history’s greatest ideas, weaving together answers from mathematics to meaning, from law to God. More than a survey, it unfolds as a narrative of wonder and discovery, showing how every proposed explanation reaches beyond the puzzle itself to touch on questions of purpose, significance, and what it means to find our place in the cosmos.” — Robert K. Garcia, Baylor University

“Drawing from a wide array of historical and contemporary sources, Why Does Anything Exist? addresses the title question in an accessible and engaging way, touching on issues in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of religion. In doing so, it provides a historically sensitive entry into one of the most fascinating—and most perplexing—questions in philosophy. It is an excellent text for introductory courses in metaphysics, as well as in philosophical thinking more generally; more advanced scholars will likewise benefit from its many careful, insightful discussions.” — Kevin Morris, Tulane University of Louisiana