Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . .: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes

Philosophical conversationalists, Dimitri and Tasso, have been ordained by Cathcart and Klein to guide us through a brilliantly written tome-free survey of philosophy as viewed through the lens of a 21st century skeptic. Plato and a Platypus opens the doors to the various schools of philosophy employing whimsical contemporary illustrations that at once surprise and inform the reader. There are startlingly delightful cartoons, too. Each page offers up an intro to a serious speech, an ice-breaker for a cocktail party, or an intellectual game for a baby shower. The reader is at once compelled to both keep reading and to cut away to share a passage with a friend. (That's what literate people do when tweaked; they read to one another. I suggest it be limited to people over the age of 6, though my 5-year-old grandson became intrigued when I shared a tongue-in-cheek segment.) Yet, this book is far from one big joke. It is a scholarly work, complete with timeline and glossary, both of which are laced with humor that belie the academic content. It would be a rational text for many a college class. Critical thinking comes to mind. So do religion, ethics, math, logic, pragmatism, and English composition. If you buy one, buy two. This little reader is the perfect gift book for celebrations and simple pleasures. It is ideal for the friendly neighborhood philosopher. It is also a fine open-anywhere for moments when you want to think deeply without the weight of war or taxes. It is a definite buy and keep book. Highly recommended. La Vergne Rosow Author, Accessing the Classics: Great Reads for Adults, Teens, and English Language Learners

So you are looking at all the various reviews of this book and you are asking yourself "what is going on?" Some people love it and some hate it (and note that the audience is almost all guys - hmmm). Some folks write terse harsh dismissals, some say it is the best book they have ever read and some write irrelevant reminiscences about their collage daze. Why such variable responses? I think these different reactions arise from the variability of foreknowledge of philosophy among the reviewers and the expectations they have of both the comedy and philosophy in the book. So maybe I can inform your expectations and either prevent you from buying the wrong book or stimulate you to buy the right one. The back panel of the book says "Finally, a crash course in philosophy via jokes." If you buy into this unfortunate promotional drivel you will be instantly disappointed. You are not actually going to learn a lot of philosophy from this book as others have noted. But come on, it is 199 pages of jokes with a bit of commentary by two old hippies who did undergraduate degrees in philosophy at Harvard. This ain't exactly like sitting at the feet of Aristotle in the lyceum for four years. (Hmmm - maybe that college reminiscence review ain't so bad after all). To truly appreciate the humor of this book (especially the punch line to the title - which is fabulous!) you need to have had at least some exposure to formal philosophy and its vocabulary. If you don't, try Mortimer Adler's "Aristotle for Everybody", Plato's "Republic" (I detest this disastrous book but you must read it) and "The Dream of Reason" by Anthony Gottlieb for starters. You will figure out where to go from there. And if you approach the book expecting every joke to cause you to roll in the isle like you were watching the late great Buddy Hackett doing standup in Vegas you will also be disappointed. Come on this is intellectual humor - you were expecting maybe Henny Youngman? And the authors say so. They define the level of humor as that which you might use at grad school party to try and get laid (hmmm - a dearth of women reviewers?). But the book does have its hysterical moments. I feared for my life when I made the mistake of telling the joke about the old Jewish gentleman who marries a very young lady he loves but cannot satisfy to a friend of mine while in the car. He laughed so hard he almost drove off the road. And the lesson of that joke is the fallacy of "post hoc ergo proctor hoc." (I told you, you need some vocabulary). The lessons in philosophy in the book are short entertaining vignettes with a meaning and a humorous punch line so it might just be the perfect book to put on the shelf in the guest bathroom if you know what I mean ("Fart Proudly: Writings of Benjamin Franklin You Never Read in School" is definitely the best book of this category. No bathroom should be without it). So is it a great book? - naaah. Is it a good book? - Resoundingly yes. Does it deliver on its promise? - Every bit. Should you buy it? I don't know, what do I look like - chopped liver?

Philosophy through jokes. What a fabulous concept. The trio of books make philosophical concepts, easier to understand, quite interesting, and fun at the same time. These guys are geniuses.

I've read it and laughed a lot. Got me on my toes. It made me wish I've studied philosophy. Then again, it made me feel as if I had. Now it sits on my office desk where I like to open at random and read a passage along with my coffee; a worthy five minute investment.

This is a hilariously funny book. Jokes ? Yes it’s filled with jokes. The writing is brilliant and all in all a fascinating read. This is a book which can be read and reread. Not only for the philosophy, but also to …well enjoy a tremendously good read…once again.

I bought this to pass a transatlantic flight, and it did, wonderfully. Not many philosophy books will achieve that. So it's funny, entertaining, and OK, everyone will know some of the jokes, but few will have read them like THIS before. I have always felt kind of ignorant about this discipline (while also thinking "life is too short for this abstract wiffling", if I'm honest), especially in comparison with my OH who went to the philosophy lectures at uni for FUN while doing a science degree. This book doesn't bring me anything like up to his level, of course, but at least I do know what he's talking about now (he enjoyed it too) and might read more widely. I'd say this is a great book for bright young teens upwards: those who read it before anyone mentions Wittgenstein to them will feel less baffled and alienated than I did when one of my uni lecturers started questioning the innate nature of his lectern and whether it was the same as its name. (Cue a whole hall of students uneasily looking for the door.) That was how not to start on philosophy: this is most definitely how to do it.

Je connaissais ce livre depuis un long moment, mais je voulais avoir dans ma bibliothéque l'édition originale cartonnée. Pour répéter ce que j'avais déjà dit, ce livre, aussi acheté sur Amazon, même si c'est un memento indolore de ce qui constitue la pensée philosophique, n'est pas une sorte de Philosophie pour les Nuls (qui a ses propres qualités). Il exige tout de même un degré certain d'intelligence et un bon sens de l'humour. Cela même si certaines de ses blagues sont déjà connues, même archi-connues. Car il n'est pas un recueil de blagues, mais une tentative d'expliquer par l'entremise de situations humoristiques certaines situations philosophiques dans lesquelles des personnages peuvent se trouver. À consommer avec modération. Ça ne se lit pas d'un trait.

If you like philosophy through stories, this is the book. Some stories will make you think and debate with your friends. It's a good acquisition for break the ice in a good conversation.

This was a wonderfully funny read. I laughed all the way through and learned a little about philosophy, too! :)