As a newbie to philosophy, I've been spending much time with a good friend who studied philosophy in college. It's been, thus far, a fascinating discussion on the ancient philosophers, the evolution of the different schools of thought, and a great introduction from which I hope to delve into more specific readings of many of them. We've gone from Socrates/Plato/Aristotle to Descarte, Locke, Leibniz, Hume, Kant, Camus, and Nietzsche. Even with all of the fascination I have with these interesting minds from the past, I feel like I note a trend that many great philosophers build on, refine, or otherwise take inspiration from the ideas and works of those before them. So, then who are the modern philosophers alive and well today? My friend suggested two in particular who he feels are noteworthy - Kitcher and Quine - though Quine passed away in 2000. I also have read a bit by Peter Singer, who I find interesting and quite different, too. Perhaps I'm already in the company of a great many others here, but can I please have some suggestions of contemporary philosophers who may be interesting to read, especially in a sense that it will be fulfilling to see, yet further, the progression of philosophical argument and thought from those who laid the foundations before? Thanks!