Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes
by Thomas Cathcart, Daniel Klein
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Book Summary Information
Author: Daniel Klein, Thomas CathcartEdition: Hardcover
Published: 2007-05-01
ISBN: 081091493X
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Abrams Image
Book Reviews of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes
Book Review: What sounds like a great idea, fizzles in the execution...
Summary: 3 Stars
I loved the idea of this book when it was first pitched by my book club. Perhaps I set my expectations too high, because I was somewhat disappointed when I read the book.
The basic problem is that in the end, despite conceptual similarities, the jokes get in the way of the philosophy, and vice versa. The treatment of philosophical subjects is both discontinuous and somewhat superficial, due to the need to insert a joke every couple of paragraphs, and the need to focus on only those ideas which can be linked to this joke. The net result is a little bit like reading a book that is missing a page every now and then... transitions from topic to topic are not very smooth and the discussion seems incomplete somehow.
Similarly, the choice of jokes is hampered by the need to pick jokes that actually relate to the philosophical concept at hand (as opposed to picking jokes based on freshness and humor alone). About 50% of the jokes in the book I had already read or heard, before I ever picked up this book...
On the positive side, this book is short, and very easy to read. It is quite entertaining, and even thought-provoking in a few places. People who already have enough knowledge of philosophy to fill in the gaps will probably enjoy this book most. Current students of philosphy might find it quite hilarious...
On the other hand, this is probably not the funniest book you will read this year (I hope!). And it certainly is not a recommended overview of philosphical thought, even for the most casual learner. If you go in with either of those expectations, you will probably be disappointed like I was...
Summary of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes
Here?s a lively, hilarious, not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical traditions, schools, concepts, and thinkers. It?s Philosophy 101 for everyone who knows not to take all this heavy stuff too seriously. Some of the Big Ideas are Existentialism (what do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?), Philosophy of Language (how to express what it?s like being stranded on a desert island with Halle Berry), Feminist Philosophy (why, in the end, a man is always a man), and much more. Finally?it all makes sense!?I laughed, I learned, I loved it!? Roy Blount Jr.
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