- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Orion Childrens; New Ed edition (1 Aug 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1842550535
- ISBN-13: 978-1842550533
- Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 1.8 x 19.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 93,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
If the thought of a book about philosophy for kids turns your stomach, think again. This superb book, written by Stephen Law, a young philosophy lecturer from Oxford, is filled with an awe-inspiring enthusiasm for thinking and arguing some of the biggest questions.
From "Should I eat meat?" to "How Do I Know The World Isn't Virtual?" and the Big One: "Does God Exist?", each question is dealt with in a thoroughly modern manner that brings in the teachings of famous philosophers alongside broad philosophical arguments that are as entertaining as they are challenging.
Stephen Law has certainly hit the spot with this energetic interpretation of philosophical ideas, cleverly clearing the floor for discussion between children, and opening up conversation between children and adults.
The Philosophy Files takes an innovative step into the children's book genre with a soul-searching, thought-provoking look at the philosophical questions that shroud our everyday lives. If you ever thought that philosophy for kids would be a turn off, check this out, sit back and enjoy the ensuing debate. (Ages 9 and over) --Susan Harrison --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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 )
'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 )
Inside This Book
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
By Aliosho Archer-Diana ... International School of Toulouse
The Philosophy Files is one of the most interesting and thought-provoking books that I have ever read. It also manages to be very funny and amusing at the same time. In his introduction the author clearly explains exactly what philosophical questions are and that it is his intention to pose questions in order to get the reader to think and figure out the answers for himself rather than presenting ready-made answers. I would say that this is exactly what he manages to achieve.
This is a book that challenges and stimulates. It is divided into eight chapters or files, each one of which covers a different and separate topic. This means that you can delve in at any point that appeals to you at any particular time. The author discusses important philosophical questions such as does God exist, how do we know the world is not one big dream, what makes us ourselves rather then someone else and where does morality come from. He presents us with many different arguments that are often put forward and he argues his own point of view to support or discount commonly held theories. However, as he emphasises in his introduction "the important thing in philosophy is to think for yourself," which means that we are free to disagree with him if we wish and to make up our own minds.
The author uses different techniques to introduce and develop his arguments and theories. He invents characters and personalities and tells us fun stories to illustrate the points he wants to make. For example, in the file about eating meat, he tells us the story of Errol the explorer who was eaten by some cannibals because he could not find sufficiently sound reasons to explain why it would be morally wrong for them to kill and eat him while he himself considered it to be perfectly alright to kill and eat other animals. In the end Errol is barbequed and eaten and the cannibals enjoy some 'After eights' they find in his rucksack whilst sitting around the fire chatting. This is one of my favourite parts of the book and in fact I found myself disagreeing with his cannibal argument. I thought it was not such a valid theory because it is quite rare for any animals to prey on their own species there is a difference between animals eating their own species and relying on eating other species in the food chain. Nevertheless it was a very thought provoking idea and handled in a very amusing way.
The stories are lively and colourful, full of humour and fun. The illustrations throughout the book add a further funny and whimsical dimension. In fact the illustrations by Daniel Postgate are in my view, a major contribution to the success of the book.
The language is up-to-date and modern and the author manages to present difficult theories in a style which is clear, easy to understand and amusing without simplifying things or diluting the philosophical ideas too much or talking down to the reader.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is great for teens aged 10 and up.
This book concentrates on the big question like who created the universe? and if god did who created god and who created the thing that created god and so on. I give it five stars and all kinds with big imaginations should read this
This book concentrates on the big question like who created the universe? and if god did who created god and who created the thing that created god and so on. I give it five stars and all kinds with big imaginations should read this
It keeps you reading
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love it!
What a joy to find such a thought-provoker in such an accessible format.
Simple but powerful language with fun, extremely relevant illustrations.
I enjoyed Blackburn's "Think" and de Boutton's "The Consolations of Philosophy", but compared to this little book they are rather dry and dull.
Can't wait for volume 2.
Enjoy
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Amazing!
I absolutely love this book!
As a teacher I often read books aimed at children/teens for inspiration when I teach a philosophy or ethics module. Read more
As a teacher I often read books aimed at children/teens for inspiration when I teach a philosophy or ethics module. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Hmckenna
If a philosophy student recommends it, it must be good!
I found this in a friend's bookcase, and at first laughed when they recommended it, thinking it to be 'just a kid's book. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2002 by "lisebyles"
The Best you'll find
An absolute masterpiece of a book. When reviews say ‘a must read’ then it usually means the book is good and that is why the reviewer is reccommending it, but this book... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2002 by anon
For Any Reader of Any Age with a Still Functioning Brain
The quality of the reviews already received bears witness to the civilizing influence of this timely book. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2001
enjoyable and user-friendly
This is a brilliant book which makes philosophical argument readily accessible for anyone in an amusing and entertaining style. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2001 by bill@bfillery.freeserve.co.uk
An excellent book!
This is an outstanding introduction to philosophy. Stephen Law is an exceptionally talented writer. He manages to communicate the basics of philosophy in an entertaining and... Read more
Published on 3 May 2001
This book is absolutely amazing. I seriously recommend it.
I love this book. It is interesting because it asks questions you would never think of otherwise and it is very funny in some chapters. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2001
This book is absolutely amazing. I seriously recommend it.
I love this book. It is interesting because it asks questions you would never think of otherwise and it is very funny in some chapters. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2001
wonderful intro to philosophy
The "interactive" presentation of ideas in this book with its funny and imaginative illustrations of fundamental philosophical dilemmas has proved the perfect book to... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2001
Excellent food for thought
An absorbing and thought-provoking book for older kids and adults. My 13 year-old daughter read it in one sitting - having just started to become interested in philosophy via an... Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2000
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