Philosophy Books Enjoyed by Ottoson Middle School ACE Students
The Pig That Wants to be Eaten: 100 Experiments for the Armchair Philosopher by Julian Baggin: A thought-provoking collection of one or two page essays that apply logic and ethical reasoning to issues pertinent to the modern world.
Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder :A novel that traces the history of Western philosophy through the interactions of Sophie, a 14 year old girl, and an unusual man she meets.
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy through Jokes by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein :“A profound and hilarious treasure of a little book…I am long removed from the formal study of philosophy…I was grateful to be so smoothly and delightfully reintroduced to philosophical concepts.” (from an Amazon.com reviewer)
Aristotle and an Aardvark Go to Washington by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein :“A hilarious collection of political quotes exposing logical fallacies” according to one Amazon.com reviewer; another comments that there is a “constant anti-Bush theme.”
Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, by Richard Bach. In these “fables” or short novels, Bach explores the idea of life expanding beyond what appears to be the limitations imposed by our physical bodies. JLSeagull can be read online at www.crookedbush.com
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and The Warrior Athlete by Dan Millman; “applies Eastern philosophies to the Western concept of physical well-being and sports training…” (from Publisher’s Weekly).
The Open Court Publishing Company’s Series on Popular Culture and Philosophy:
www.opencourtbooks.com. Some examples:
Monty Python and Philosophy: Nudge Nudge, Think Think! by Gary L. Hardcastle and George A. Reisch (2006)
The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! Of Homer (2001)
The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real (2002)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale (2003)
Harry Potter and Philosophy: If Aristotle Ran Hogwarts (2004)
The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy: One Book to Rule Them All (2003)
Star Wars and Philosophy: I Kill Therefore I Am (2004)
Baseball and Philosophy: Thinking Outside the Batter’s Box (2004)
Superheroes and Philosophy: Truth, Justice and the Socratic Way (2005)
The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy: The Lion, the Witch and the Worldview (2005)
James Bond and Philosophy: Questions Are Forever (2006)
Bruce Springsteen and Philosophy: Darkness on the Edge of Truth (2008)
Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy (2008)