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Guests | December 7, 2009

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

by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein

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

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Here's a lively, hilarious, not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical traditions, schools, concepts, and thinkers; it's Philosophy 101 for everyone who knows not to take all this heavy stuff too seriously. Some included Big Ideas are Philosophy of Religion (a priest and a rabbi are stranded on a desert island...), Existentialism (what do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?), Ethics and Aesthetics (a dog and a cat are sitting in this tree...), Language ("It depends what your definition of is is"), and much more. Finally — it all makes sense!

Review:

"I laughed, I learned, I loved it!" Roy Blount Jr.
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About the Author

Tom Cathcart and Daniel Klein pursued the usual careers after majoring in philosophy at Harvard. Tom worked with street gangs in Chicago, doctors at Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and dropped in and out of various divinity schools. He lives with his wife on Cape Cod. Dan has written jokes for various comedians including Flip Wilson and Lily Tomlin. He lives with his wife in the Berkshires. Together, they are authors of the politically incorrect book of daily affirmations, Macho Meditations.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 5 comments:
Kerewsky, December 30, 2009 (view all comments by Kerewsky)
Entertaining enough, with some good jokes, some of which were good examples of the philosophical school or concept they purported to illustrate, some, not so much. I'm not sure if knowing more philosophy or less would make this a more enjoyable collection, but I found myself getting hung up on jokes that didn't seem to show what they were intended to.
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barba, September 3, 2008 (view all comments by barba)
Crazy book that had me laughing a lot and that is good for your health!
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(6 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
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dobkinfarm, July 18, 2007 (view all comments by dobkinfarm)
I am an 80 year old life long book addict who sends books instead of greeting cards. I have sent this delicious book to
each of my 2 sons, kid brother (he's 75), a 96 year old gentleman who just lost his wife (and this made him laugh), a young political ally, a college chum -now a paraplegic in a nursing home, and my young doctor - who needs to lighten up!!
The copy I have left is MINE! In this crazy, topsy turvy atmosphere where "The world is too much with us" - this book
is a total joy. Every home should have a copy. I'm working on it!! Thank you, gentlemen, for an inspired book.
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(24 of 36 readers found this comment helpful)
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780810914933
Subtitle:
Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes
Author:
Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein
Author:
Klein, Daniel
Author:
Cathcart, Thomas
Publisher:
Abrams Image
Subject:
General
Subject:
Form - Essays
Subject:
Philosophy -- Humor.
Subject:
General Humor
Subject:
Philosophy
Subject:
Humor
Subject:
History & Surveys - General
Copyright:
2007
Publication Date:
May 2007
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
208
Dimensions:
7.12x5.40x.82 in. .61 lbs.
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