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Title: Socrates Cafe: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy by Christopher Phillips ISBN: 0-393-32298-X Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: April, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.04 (24 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Tantalizing philosophical thinking of the highest order.
Comment: The only people who won't like this book are academics who have made their discipline irrelevant and sophists who have made their discipline a laughingstock. They'll feel threatened by the new and invigorating and exhilarating life Phillips breathes into philosophy. Phillips shows in a way that I have not seen before in a modern philosophy book that philosophy isn't merely about asking certain questions -- What is truth? What is being? -- in the way questions are asked. So it is that via his mesmerizing version of the Socratic method of philosophical inquiry, Phillips explores in a profound and yet sweeping way in "Socrates Cafe" such questions as "Why is what?" "How can an intelligent, sensitive person get stuck in a lousy job?", "What is home?" and "What is silence?" He has recaptured the tradition of unendlingly novel and illuminating philosophical exploration that sadly has gone by the wayside for the most part since Socrates' lifetime. This book is for everyone who wants to push their thinking, for everyone who wants to better answer such questions as "Who am I?" and "Who can I become?" Thank you Christopher Phillips for bringing philosophy back to the people and for having the courage of your convictions in presenting such a compelling alternative to the narrow, unimaginative thinking that passes for philosophy today in books by academics and sophists.
Rating: 5
Summary: Real People Doing Real Philosophy!
Comment: This book is the fascinating story of a young man imbued with the love of philosophy, who wants to bring philosophical thinking into the lives of more people. So, in his words, as a Johnny Appleseed of Philosophy, he begins going to book stores, coffee shops, elementary schools, senior centers, even prisons, to hold philosophical jam sessions. With a little advance notice, he can usually draw at least a small crowd. Sometimes he's surprised at the numbers of people who show up. He introduces himself, and asks what questions the folks in attendance would like to discuss philosophically. Suggestions are made, and soon a free wheeling, yet Socratically disciplined conversation begins, typically among people who don't know each other, and who are perhaps from very different backgrounds, occupations, and worldviews. With Chris playing the role of Socrates, and teaching by example how we can all play that role - the role of a seeker after wisdom who is willing to question everything in search of the truth - he ignites philosophy in a place where it may never before have happened. He teaches and he learns. And he moves on to the next opportunity for creating philosophical community.
It's quite a story. This is a man on fire to help people think more deeply about their lives and experiences. And a man willing to go wherever he can to make this happen. Throughout the pages of the book, he comes across as an idealist who is willing to do what it takes to see his dream come true. And the book consists of stories from along the way. We get to sit in on discussions all over the place, in a prison, or in a school. We are allowed to listen in on people's ruminations, reflections, and efforts to articulate their deepest beliefs. We overhear polite disagreements and witness collaborative efforts to get at the truth. What is the examined life recommended by Socrates? How can we live it? What is the best sort of life to live? And how do we get our bearings day to day, whatever we happen to be doing?
The conversations can veer from the practical to the theoretical, but always the voices of real people break through. I couldn't put it down until I had read the whole book, and it's rare for a new book to hold my attention like that when I really should be reading three others I've already started.
Take a look at Socrates Cafe and you may find yourself drawn into its great conversations like I was. And somewhere up in Platonic Heaven, Socrates himself may smile.
Rating: 5
Summary: Socrates
Comment: This is a very thought-provoking read. The Socratic method makes it breezy and accessible. Certainly not one of those worthy-but-dull introductions to the subject.
I would also recommend Stephen Law's THE PHILOSOPHY GYM: 25 Short Adventures In Thinking, to go alongside this - you get a deeper (and zanier) take on philosophy from Law, though also in a very entertaining package.
The two books make a great complimentary pair. I gave both to my son who is getting into the weird world of philosophy for the first time and he just gobbled them up. I'm told there's good evidence that philosophy is excellent at sharpening up the thinking skills, especially of the young, and I must say it seems to be working...
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Title: The Philosophers' Club by Christopher Phillips, Kim Doner ISBN: 1582460396 Publisher: Tricycle Pr Pub. Date: September, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Socrates' Way: Seven Master Keys to Using Your Mind to the Utmost by Ronald Gross, Michael J. Gelb ISBN: 1585421928 Publisher: J. P. Tarcher Pub. Date: 10 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Six Questions of Socrates: A Modern-Day Journey of Discovery through World Philosophy by Christopher Phillips ISBN: 0393051579 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: January, 2004 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: Plato, Not Prozac! : Applying Eternal Wisdom to Everyday Problems by Lou Marinoff ISBN: 0060931361 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Philosophy Rocks! by Stephen Law ISBN: 0786816996 Publisher: Volo Pub. Date: 01 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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