Customer Reviews

101 Philosophy Problems

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This book is described in the blurb as 'a fresh and original introduction to philosophy...intended for those with little or no knowledge of philosophy, such as A-level students or readers in further education courses, as well as all introductory philosophy courses'. The description seems entirely appropriate, yet it is necessary to add the qualification that the book is a highly unconventional specimen. Indeed, I suspect it may not be recognized as a real philosophical book by some people whose view of what philosophy is, what a philosophical book is like, and how such a book is to be read is formed by the content and style of the great philosophical works that form the staple in the curricula of Philosophy Departments.

What is Martin Cohen's own view of what philosophy is that permeates his book? It is the view that philosophy is an activity: the intellectual activity of engaging with philosophical problems, discussing proposed solutions to the problems, disputing arguments for proposed solutions, identifying and questioning assumptions underlying problems, solutions and arguments. This view, of course, is not unknown in Philosophy Departments, even though most professional philosophers tend to emphasize the theories which embody attempts to answer particular problems. Cohen emphasizes the problems themselves, or at least the value of the problems, from which any answers derive such value as they may possess. 101 Philosophy Problems is basically an invitation to think critically about philosophical problems, often by way of conducting thought experiments.

What is this book like? Both in regard to its structure and the style in which it is written, it is very unconventional. The first part of the book consists of a series of very short stories or narrative texts, grouped by subject-matter, setting out problems or puzzles of philosophical interest. Some of these problems are well-known in philosophical literature, e.g. the paradox of Epimenides the Cretan, who said: 'All Cretans are liars'. In the second part of the book, entitled 'Discussions', Cohen provides explanations and analyses of the issues raised by each of the problems, with some references to the treatment offered by particular historical philosophers. These discussions are intelligent and balanced, if (in most cases at least) inevitably inconclusive.

The last two sections, 'Glossary' and 'Reading Guide', offer helpful pointers to further philosophical study of a more 'academic' character.

The style of the writing is equally unconventional. Cohen always writes clearly, untechnically and informally - these being virtues which are rare enough, but not exclusive to him - and further he writes in a self-consciously comic manner. His sense of humour is mostly of the gentle P.G. Wodehouse-type variety, but occasionally explodes in Stoppardian slapstick. So, in a parody of the sceptical doubt he writes: How do I know that I haven't fallen into the clutches of a malignant demon, intent on deceiving me? Or perhaps a malignant doctor? One who has recovered my brain after some nasty accident (involving too many chip butties and driving, no doubt) and is now keeping it suspended in a vat of chemicals as part of a ghastly medical experiment. Feeding it made-up 'sense-data' along coloured wires: purple for hearing, black for touch, yellow for taste, blue for vision...?'

I find this way of presenting philosophical problems very entertaining and I am keen to try it on my students. [To put their brains in vats? Asst. Ed.] I think that the more attractive the presentation of philosophical problems to beginning students, the better the chance of giving them the 'bug' of philosophical engagement, and helping them, step by step, to the dizzying heights of abstract thinking. Finally, how is this book to be read? Cohen is emphatic that this is not to be read cover to cover, as in a frenzy. 'Take the problems,' he advises, 'at a more leisurely pace, one by one, or at most, group by group... The discussions should be seen as an aid to this process of philosophizing, rather than rapidly read by those in search of 'answers'. In any case, the pause for thought will tend to make eventual discussion more interesting, and indeed, to make the problem so. For the answers, as Bertrand Russell has already observed, are less important than the questions.

This seems to me to be sound advice for any introduction to philosophy

Routledge publishes great books on philosophy for the general reader, and this one is no exception. A clever introduction to philosophical issues through examinations of 101 problems, some familiar to readers of philosophy and some less so. The glossary is fun reading also, though american readers should be warned that the author does not hold certain philosophers (wittgenstein, nietzche) in the high esteem that "we" americans tend to.

From the basics of ethics through the considerations of existence to the importance of the soul - this book provides simple anecdotes implementing the major questions in philosophy. It allows the reader to ponder upon the answers but in addition, it provides a semi-answer guide in the back, which even though it doesn't explain everything to the reader's satisfaction, it points to the areas in philosophy where such questions may be answered to a greater extent. A nice guide through philosophy organizing in a way the paths an amateur philosopher will have to travel to satisfy his curiousity about the world from the philosophical point of view.

I recommend it for beginners in philosophy as well as hardcore philosophers with low self-esteem. 101 Philosophy Problems doesn't treat you like an idiot but at the same time it provides the basis for more answers.

The often staid world of introductory philosophy textbooks has the dust blown off by this revolutionary first proper book by Martin Cohen (adding to his distinguished background of articles, editing journals, graphics and assorted snippets) - a humorous and accessible manual which offers an easy 'bite-size' digest for newcomers to this often fascinating field.

Cohen's droll wit and lively, succinct story-telling are applied to a series of very short stories and puzzles which demystify this hitherto often offputting topic, and give a painless, palatable, enjoyable way of learning.

Rather than offering knee-jerk, definitive answers to these eternal conundrums, Cohen offers gentle guidance in discussing them, yet leaves the questions dangling for further musings by the reader.

Meanwhile Cohen under-statedly shows how philosophy is not some abstract 'dead' area with no relevance to the so-called 'real world', but - au contraire - it may be applied to everything that happens or can be thought about.

Complete with a dummy's guide to landmark philosophers through the ages, and a basic glossary, "101..." is the thinking person's philosophy book. It is recommended as a standard text for beginners' philosophy classes or the armchair rationalist, and whets one's appetite for future volumes.

I know this is supposed to be a bad thing, often, but really this book lends itself to teaching. I found the teaching tips on using the book on the same site as 'The Philosopher' when I went to look up their reviews, and these last few weeks I have been using some of the problems in class - especially the ones about the bad tempered green grocer (is he responsible for his actions?) and the island of Marjonians (when should the wishes of the majority over-ride individual rights?)

But my favorite is the one with the Professor and the Dog!

This is the only book I've actually brought to school and read aloud to my friends at the lunchtable, an activity previously reserved for fashion magazines, social emails and last-minute textbook readings. Personally I would be happy to sit around reading Plato or Aristotle, but the average high schooler would not; even my friends who swore to hate anything having to do with that heavy, paradoxical material were entertained by and interested in this book. My personal favorites are ethical narratives, like the professor and the dog and the ones about imaginary civilizations. Definitely recommended for philosophy lovers, and especially for philosophy haters!

MYWYB2's main problem with the book (see review below) -- apart from alleged problems with style and translation -- is that he seems to miss its point. "Philosophy Problems" covers more or less the entire depth and breadth of philosophy, in other words an entire library.

This is not a book for experts, it is a wonderful appetiser for people who do not have an awful lot of experience with philosophy. Cohen's achievement is to break things down for those readers and at the same time to narrate tongue-in-cheek and in a way that makes it quite clear that behind his brief answers, there is whole world to be discovered. He does not pretend to know it all, but challenges readers to think and to discover things for themselves. In my opinion, the charm of the book is exactly its incompleteness, its almost iconoclastic freshness. It is a book many philosophers would like to have written --

Maybe that explains mywyb2's editorial furore.

I have read both the English edition and now have the Chinese edition too. I quite agree with what it says about the book, viz: this is a masterpiece of eccentric genius with a world-sweeping humorous philosophy. After all, does philosophy have to be cut and dried and boring?
Dr Martin Cohen, would never agree even if he has to be bitten to death twice, as the Chinese proverb has it. Because what he hates most,are those boring philosophic theories and the boring philosophers. In the book, he even suggests some philosophers are like vampires,shuddering and covering their eyes in fear and loathing at the clarity of a well-constructed sentence.
The humorous Dr Martin Cohen is in fact the editor of the Philosopher, the highly respected English Journal, founded in 1923, for which thefamous John Dewey, Bertrand Russell and so on used to write, as well as the frequent stirrer of waves and blower of wind in today's Britishphilosophical world.
In his book, Dr Cohen has collected 101 interesting Philosophy Problems. Together with his humorous and sharp commentary, these provide readers with a unique experience and in-depth understanding that philosophy is actually a game which everyone is able to play.
The readers, as if charmed by Martin's spell, will follow his instructions and dance with him. The book has been translated into many other languages. Dr Martin Cohen says, "if the boring philosophers find this all too easy, let them answer some of the questions!"

No matter how hard I tried, I never could finish a whole book on philosophy. This is the first one I made through. It's not the common books that talked a lot on one or a few particular concepts or philosophists, but many short, interesting and life relevant "questions" with partial "answers/solutions" or sheerly "suggestions". I like very much its light and non authoritative style. Or should I say I hate the "I am absolutely right" attitude of many other authors/philosophists. Afterall, per Pascal, "only a good philosopher can laugh at philosophy." A good appetizer or food for thought to those who like to know more about philosophy but had been frustrated beforehand. Recommended!

Whilst we might like to believe that we spend our lives thinking, I suspect that there is more than a grain of truth in the view of George Bernard Shaw.

"Few people think more than two or three times a year. I've made an international reputation by thinking two or three times a week."

The book's aim is to present 101 prompts to thinking and seeing in new ways. I found it a great book for train journeys where you have a little time to yourself and perhaps the chance to relax and let your mind play with ideas. The good news is that the questions are posed in the spirit of fun and although the title describes them as philosophical problems, this simply means problems to think about. The collection provides a diverse range of questions categorised under 17 different headings. These for example cover paradoxical pictures, problems with numbers, logical loops, ethical issues and many more.

I particularly liked the problems with time and am still trying to think through my understanding of the consequences of the speed of light and the effects of black holes. I also was unaware that light had weight and that 160 tons of sunlight falls on the earth each day - where does it go? You can also try your hand at some of the classical problems which have provided the food to while away the time of philosophers for many years, including Zeno's paradox of Achilles and the tortoise featured in Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher