Looking At Philosophy: The Unbearable Heaviness of Philosophy Made Lighter
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Organized historically and augmented by more than 400 cartoons designed to make teaching and learning more fun, this lighthearted work born of serious erudition can be used as a core text or as a supplement in introductory courses.
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I’m driven to write a fleeting negative review by the acclaim this series of books seems to generate. I suppose I’m alone in thinking that in reading a history of philosophy you should aim for unique perspective, erudition, or eccentric insult. I don’t reflect this series of introductions fulfills any of these roles. While finding a all-purpose consensus in the rating of philosophical systems is a pipedream not worth pursuing, there are so many alternative histories worth perusing, that I would advise anyone with a ounce of lively interest in the theme to avoid these books. Even if your looking for the comic book variety of “how to” manuals, there are better to find. I’m repulsed every time I’ve browsed this title in the local superchain.
Reader’s Rating: 1 / 5
I like reading philosophy and I prefer the method of looking at the origins of a philosophical topic and see its development. The problem of this book is that it tries to take in 4000 years of philosophical history in a thin book, plus the pages are littered with pictures and drawings (something Plato would not appreciate) which cut out space even more.
Having so much history of philosophy jam-packed into a tiny book with pictures hardly does the history, nor the philosophy, justice.
With all that is in Plato the book reduces his philosophy to a brief discussion over one kind of Form theory. He’s also flawed in his beliefs that Revelation and the Gospel of John are two different authors (Apostle John and John of Patmos). Also, I felt his work on Kant was very shallow since there’s far more in Kant than what a few pages can give. Now I’m not adage he should give all the information on them that there is to give, nor to give us a thesis for each philosopher, but it would be nice to show that these people have far more to say than what the book gives. Perhaps a sneak peek, or a fleeting list of additional topics and theories covered?
I gave it two stars because I’m open to the thought that a name might find this to be a excellent place to start, or valuable to the student who’s only taking philosophy as a requirement rather than because of personal interest. But, there are far better intro books and history of books out there. The pictures were simply too much for me.
Finally, for a book that costs over forty dollars there are better book. It’s too much money for such small information on each philosopher.
Reader’s Rating: 2 / 5
Neutrality does not exist, everyone has his own thoughts. The leader of this book belongs to the faith of Postmodern Skepticism. Except for the emphasis on postmodern or feminist thinkers, Palmer remains balanced. The exposition of philosophical thoughts is not oversimplified. This is not the case of the lovely book “Sophie’s World”, by the Lutheran Christian J. Gaarder, where the oversimplification sometimes turns into incorrectness. Gaarder’s book is yet an brilliant choice for persons who would prefer to learn the history of philosophy by reading a charming novel written in the style of “Alice in the wonderland”.
Palmer’s treatment is excellent. I wish he had not remained silent about Jewish thinkers such as some writers of the Ancient Tribute , Philo, Jesus Christ and his apostles, agreed the considerrable impact of Jewish thought on the West. I wish Palmer would not have ignored the Neothomist movement nor prominent philosophers such as Jaques Maritain or Etienne Gilson. The book is illustrated by many drawings that are really fun. This is the best introduction to the history of philosophy that I know among persons books that are not too dull or too heavy).
As for a systematical introduction to the thoughts of philosophy, I can only recommend “Introduction to philosophy”, by Norman L Geisler. The leader honestly and clearly presents himself as a Christian and also concludes each chapter with a Christian view, yet most systematically brings all points of views on all issues in all chapters, and gives all the opinion and counter-opinion, and also many references. Whereas Palmer’s additional book “Does the center hold?”, is defineltely postmodern/skeptical, yet in a hidden way, which may be misleading for a beginner in the meadow.
For persons who want to read deeper thoughts written by current Professors of philosophy, I can recommend the books of James P Moreland, William Craig and Norman Geisler. (especially Geisler’s book on logic: “Come, let us reason”). (these guys are Christians, but brilliant).
I reflect Palmer’s “Looking at philosophy” can bring a lot of enlightenment and fun to the readers and also incite them to embark for some adventure in the philosophical lands. Let us hope they will be willing to read more and explore all these mind-bogling landscapes…
Reader’s Rating: 4 / 5
If anyone out there has an extra membership card for the inscrutable, pedantic philosopher’s club, please send it to Donald Palmer because his rights and privileges have been rescinded. LOOKING AT PHILOSOPHY might not survive the syllabi cut at most of the usually suspected citadels of erudition but for the layperson seeking a basic understanding of diverse cosmologies, I doubt an equally informative and entertaining introductory text can be identified.
In regularly sardonic tone, supplemented by lucid illustrations of complex thoughts, Mr. Palmer presents a rudimentary overview of western philosophy from the Pre-Socratic era to the late 20th century. While the reader will not be positioned to debate the relative merits of Hegel vis a vis Schopenhauer, or Derrida vis a vis reason, at least the next time the names are encountered he or she will have a generalized understanding of referent concepts, a feel for chronological placement, and an unintimidating resource for clarification.
But, alas, Mr. Palmer is not a perfect traitor to the tradition. He has selectively excluded some influentials based on individually defined criteria, and women are virtually absent, notwithstanding his politically right explanation in the preface. One that stands out for me is Ayn Rand and Objectivism. Whether he views her theories as valid, or arguably a convoluted economic system, within the context of this book, her impact over the last half of the 20th century warranted at least a mention. She makes as much sense as Hume, or the deconstructionists.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
This book is proposed for beginners in philosophy or just anyone who wants to refresh their memory as to what the basics of a agreed philosopher are. From the Pre-Socratics to Contemporary philosophers all are listed on here. The whole Tradition of Western Dialectical thought and discussion is simplified for any average reader or a name who does not follow or know what philosophy is about. The cartoons on it are not to fantastic, but help to lighten the weight of philosophy and make it more pleasing to the reader to delight in.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5