Customer Reviews

Philosophy Files

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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.

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.

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.