Philosophy Files [Paperback]

Stephen Law (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2002

Is there a God, should I eat meat, where does the universe come from, could I live for ever as a robot? These are the big questions readers will be wrestling with in this thoroughly enjoyable book. Dip into any chapter and you will find lively scenarios and dialogues to take you through philosophical puzzles ancient and modern, involving virtual reality, science fiction and a host of characters from this and other planets. The text is interspersed on every page with lively cartoons, and there is a list of philosophical jargon at the end. Stephen Law has a gift for communicating complex ideas. He offers few answers, but his unstuffy, highly personal approach will have the reader thinking and arguing with as much pleasure as he does himself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'a jargon-free, entertaining, uncomplicated approach to philosophy which makes no assumptions and encourages original thinking.' -- Bridget Carrington WRITE AWAY! 'Law is very good at dramatising philosophical problems so that children get to understand them as choices confronting them, rather than abstract questions... Highly recommended.' -- Dina Rabinovitch THE GUARDIAN 'poses challenging questions to children about life and the universe.' IRISH EXAMINER

About the Author

Stephen Law dropped out of school, spent four years as a postman in Cambridge, and then went on to Oxford where he got a first-class Honours degree, a B. Phil. and a D. Phil. In Philosophy. He has held several lectureships and a Research Fellowship at Oxford and is now a full-time lecturer in Philosophy at Heythrop College, University of London. He is working on a follow-up to 'The Philosophy Files'. Daniel Postgate is the cartoonist on the DAILY EXPRESS. Daniel Postgate is the cartoonist for the Daily Express. He has illustrated a number of children's books, including The Philosophy Files and The Outer Limits.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Orion Childrens (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842550535
• ISBN-13: 978-1842550533
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Teens > Education & Reference > History

More About the Author

Stephen Law (Oxford, England) is a senior lecturer in philosophy at Heythrop College, University of London; provost for the Centre for Inquiry UK; and the editor of Think: Philosophy for Everyone (a journal of the Royal Institute of Philosophy). He is the author of numerous books for adults as well as children, including The Greatest Philosophers, Companion Guide to Philosophy, The War for Children's Minds, and Really, Really Big Questions, among other works.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philosphy without the Boredom, November 24, 2003

By 

Laura Seabrook (NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy Files (Paperback)

I found this book and its sequel "The Outer Limits" to be a really good introduction and discussion about the issues that Philosphy deals with. Even if you've never heard of Plato or Kant, you can still understand the issues presented in this book. I've just recommended it to a MATRIX Forum because it deals with Virtual Reality as well.

Good stuff.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for pre-teens and early teens (and their moms), January 31, 2008

By 

Alicia Weissman (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philosophy Files (Paperback)

I bought this book a few years ago on a whim thinking it would be great if my kids read it. Lately, my 12 year old son picked it up off the shelf, started reading it and can't stop reading it (again). It gives a broad introduction to key ideas and questions in philosophy without the boring names and dates. Older teens who want to know what Arisototle said or how he differed from Plato can and should read other books. This book is great for younger teens and preteens who don't yet know what philosophy is. It will get them excited and give them a good idea of what its all about. I enjoy reading it too, it is well written and humorous.

4 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars very disappointed., January 24, 2005

By 

Johnny Waits "cubbie blue" (chicago, illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophy Files (Paperback)

i was very disappointed with this self-described philosophy primer for teen-age philosophy students. the author was unable to maintain objectivity throughout the book, during his discussions of the different questions or "files" covered in most introduction philosophy books. very rarely did he concisely summarize the different positions held by notable past philosophers with the only exception being his summary of plato and the soul. but even there he ruined his own adequate abbreviation by declaring that he thought there "were many problems with plato's ideals." his explanation of natural selection and transitory fossil records was flat out erroneous at times and reflected the writing of one that knows virtually nothing of paleontology or biology. his desire to persuade the beginning philosophy student to understand the "files" as he sees them as opposed to establishing a generalized understanding to the most prevailing theories concerning same was simply deplorable. the best part of this book was the humorous illustration work, capabally performed by daniel southgate. his comical cartoons are sure to pique the funnybone of any reader with a sense of humor. the concept of an introductory book to philosophy for the teenager is exciting; unfortunetly, this one failed miserably and, worse, failed at the expense of the beginning philosophy student.