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The Philosophy Files [Illustrated] (Paperback)

by Stephen Law (Author), Daniel Postgate (Illustrator)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Orion Childrens; New edition edition (4 May 2000)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1858817900
  • ISBN-13: 978-1858817903
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 369,358 in Books (See Bestsellers 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



Bridget Carrington, WRITE AWAY!

'a jargon-free, entertaining, uncomplicated approach to philosophy which makes no assumptions and encourages original thinking.' --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best you'll find, 8 Aug 2002
This review is from: The Philosophy Files (Paperback)
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 is a lot better than good, and ‘a must read’ is a degrade of it. It deserves a much more profound and bigger compliment, more like ‘you gotta gotta gotta buy this book’ or ‘an absolute superb non fiction book - best ever’.
Dont let the word philosophy put you off. This book is fully comprehendable to anyone from young teenagers (and even younger if you give it a good stab) up to the worlds oldest person (whoever that is.) It is a superb introduction to the huge and daunting field of philosophy but Stephen Law breaks it down into little pieces, puts it on a plate so it is easy for you to use the information and by the end of the book you will know about Plato and other famous philosophers and also you’ll be debating with yourself about wheteher we are real or not and other big questions that have puzzled philosophers for centuries whatever position you started out at. Also it gives you some great arguing tips that can help win you any kind of intellectual debate with your friends.
The only disadvantage about this book is that it is not very academic - you couldn’t get a degree in this subject just by reading this book time and time again, yet Stephen Law didnt mean for this - otherwise you would find yourself with a massively heavy text book full of language that is absolut gobeldigook, yet once you have read this book (as it explains some jargon in the glossary at the back of the book) any big text book that gives the word philosophy its daunting reputation you will find will be a lot easier to handle and take in than if you just jumped into the deep end straight away, so, as I said, this is a brilliant and fun introduction to philosophy and it certainly got me interested.
The book is divided into eight ‘files’, or different philosophical questions. These are, Should I eat meat?, How do I know the world isn’t virtual?, Where am I?, What’s real? (containing Plato’s ‘forms’), Can I jump in the same river twice?, Where do right and wrong come from?, What is the mind? and Does God Exist? Each file is set out usually with a story to explain a different situation and provide a point for arguing. Each argument is set out first by explaining each others position and argument points and then by putting them into action by putting an argument on the page. This helps you see both sides of the argument and then helps you make up your own mind about what you think. This must have been very hard for Stephen Law as he would have had to see both sides of the argument and put them on paper regardless of what side he was on.
This is a superb book and if you have read this far I hope you have been pursuaded to buy it.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If a philosophy student recommends it, it must be good!, 16 Nov 2002
This review is from: The Philosophy Files (Paperback)
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.' But having read it this morning, I am just amazed at how Law puts some of the most complex concepts in philosophy so simply, particularly the chapters on philosophy of mind and the existence of God. If only all my uni texts were as accessible and enjoyable as this work!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars What an excellent book!, 23 Nov 2001
By Iain White "chalky" (Thai Beach) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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

5.0 out of 5 stars The Philosophy Files_outer limits
This book is great for teens aged 10 and up.
This book concentrates on the big question like who created the universe? Read more
Published on 5 April 2004 by anthningko

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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 13 Sep 2001 by bill@bfillery.freeserve.co.uk

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent book. I would seriously recommend it.
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. Read more

Published on 28 Sep 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars 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

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro for kids 9 and older...
This is a top-notch philosophy intro book for kids. My 9 year old just loves it. The book introduces children to ethics (via animal rights), philosophy of mind, epistemology,... Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2000 by Michael Swanson

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