Synopses & Reviews
“An intriguing tale that will instill readers with an abiding sense of philosophical wonder. If you’re smitten with Sophie’s World, you’re sure to be entranced by The Dream Weaver.”
~Christopher Phillips, Author, Socrates Café
“Jack Bowen’s novel is like traveling with Alice to a Wonderland inhabited by the greatest philosophers and scientists who ever lived…A triumph!”
~Wenda O’Reilly, Ph.D., President, Birdcage Press and Author, The Impressionist Art Game
“The Dream Weaver is an outstanding how-to-think book… [This book] is a philosophical odyssey that tackles the mysteries of life, of science, and of the meaning of reality.”
~Susanne Pari, Author, The Fortune Catcher
For a free download of Ian’s theme song, “Beautiful Colors,” written and performed by Matt and Jack Bowen, go to www.dreamweaverphilosophy.com. For more philosophy resources, visit us at www.ablongman.com/philosophycafe.
Synopsis
This fictional approach to introduction to philosophy covers the major topics in philosophy (e.g. identity, knowledge, God, free will, etc.) through the strange experiences of a 14-year-old protagonist, Ian, and his mentor, the Old Man.
One side of each issue is introduced in the first half of a chapter (eg. we do not have free will); the second half questions the position (e.g. do we have free will?). This allows the student to see how positions are both developed and defended and leaves them with an opportunity to draw their own conclusions. Each chapter includes annotations, allowing the reader to connect the ideas in the story with contemporary thinkers. The reader encounters each idea twice: once in the story line and once in the annotation. The annotations reinforce the concepts and encourage the reader to explore an idea further. Discussion questions at the end of the book are designed to encourage readers to think through the issues, rather than merely memorizing rote facts. This allows students to engage with each other and to actually do philosophy.Synopsis
How sure can you be that you re not dreaming right now?
Up until now, completely sure, I responded. Dreams aren t really anything like reality. Dreams are, well, they re more dreamy. You can just tell. Things happen in dreams that don t happen in reality. Usually, anyway.
The hero of The Dream Weaver, young Ian Pinkle, encounters a world full of the unknown. With the help of a mentor and a friend or two, he sheds light on some of life's most difficult questions: How do we determine morality? What is the meaning of life? Does God exist? How can we determine Truth? Fairness? What are the mind and soul like? Ian--in his playful, curious manner--addresses these questions in a way that lets readers develop their own answers, and in doing so, he guides the readers through a history of philosophical thought in a clever, conversational and even adventurous style. This allows readers to think for themselves, ask questions themselves--and to be philosophers themselves.
Alongside Ian's story are annotations thatconnect Ian's dilemmas and insights to someof the most renowned thinkers throughout history. Whether Ian is creating universes to explore the apparent paradoxical issues of evil, or playfully addressing (and solving ) the chicken-or-the-egg question, he will provide all readers with both "a ha " moments and moments that challenge their most firmly rooted foundations. And all the while, there's a nice little surprise waiting at the end.
"
Synopsis
Explores philosophical issues through a narrative, plot-driven story featuring 14-year-old Ian, the mysterious Old Man, Ian's parents, and his best friends Jeff and Alexis.
Synopsis
“An intriguing tale that will instill readers with an abiding sense of philosophical wonder. If you’re smitten with Sophie’s World, you’re sure to be entranced by The Dream Weaver.”
~Christopher Phillips, Author, Socrates Café
“Jack Bowen’s novel is like traveling with Alice to a Wonderland inhabited by the greatest philosophers and scientists who ever lived…A triumph!”
~Wenda O’Reilly, Ph.D., President, Birdcage Press and Author, The Impressionist Art Game
“The Dream Weaver is an outstanding how-to-think book… [This book] is a philosophical odyssey that tackles the mysteries of life, of science, and of the meaning of reality.”
~Susanne Pari, Author, The Fortune Catcher
For a free download of Ian’s theme song, “Beautiful Colors,” written and performed by Matt and Jack Bowen, go to www.dreamweaverphilosophy.com. For more philosophy resources, visit us at www.ablongman.com/philosophycafe.
Synopsis
“An intriguing tale that will instill readers with an abiding sense of philosophical wonder. If you’re smitten with Sophie’s World, you’re sure to be entranced by The Dream Weaver.”
~Christopher Phillips, Author, Socrates Café
“Jack Bowen’s novel is like traveling with Alice to a Wonderland inhabited by the greatest philosophers and scientists who ever lived…A triumph!”
~Wenda O’Reilly, Ph.D., President, Birdcage Press and Author, The Impressionist Art Game
“The Dream Weaver is an outstanding how-to-think book… [This book] is a philosophical odyssey that tackles the mysteries of life, of science, and of the meaning of reality.”
~Susanne Pari, Author, The Fortune Catcher
For a free download of Ian’s theme song, “Beautiful Colors,” written and performed by Matt and Jack Bowen, go to www.dreamweaverphilosophy.com. For more philosophy resources, visit us at www.ablongman.com/philosophycafe.
Synopsis
“How sure can you be that you’re not dreaming right now?”
“Up until now, completely sure,” I responded. “Dreams aren’t really anything like reality. Dreams are, well, they’re more dreamy. You can just tell. Things happen in dreams that don’t happen in reality. Usually, anyway.”
The hero of The Dream Weaver, young Ian Pinkle, encounters a world full of the unknown. With the help of a mentor and a friend or two, he sheds light on some of life's most difficult questions: How do we determine morality? What is the meaning of life? Does God exist? How can we determine Truth? Fairness? What are the mind and soul like? Ian--in his playful, curious manner--addresses these questions in a way that lets readers develop their own answers, and in doing so, he guides the readers through a history of philosophical thought in a clever, conversational and even adventurous style. This allows readers to think for themselves, ask questions themselves--and to be philosophers themselves.
Alongside Ian's story are annotations that connect Ian's dilemmas and insights to some of the most renowned thinkers throughout history. Whether Ian is creating universes to explore the apparent paradoxical issues of evil, or playfully addressing (and solving!) the chicken-or-the-egg question, he will provide all readers with both "a ha!" moments and moments that challenge their most firmly rooted foundations. And all the while, there's a nice little surprise waiting at the end.
About the Author
Jack graduated with Honors from Stanford University in Human Biology and earned a Masters Degree in Philosophy from CSU Long Beach, Summa Cum Laude. Currently, he teaches philosophy at De Anza College. Jack has been invited to speak at philosophy conferences throughout the world and has also published in numerous philosophy journals.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Note to Reader
Chronological List of Philosophers Encountered by Ian
This is the Title of the Prologue.
A Note from the Old Man.
1. Knowledge.
What Really Really Happened.
2. Self, Mind, Soul.
What’s In a Name?
3. Science.
We Are It.
4. Liar.
Silent Lonesome Tree.
5. God.
The Purpose of Meaning.
6. Evil.
The Price of a Paper and a Paper for a Price.
7. Going East.
No Thing.
The Problem with Solutions.
8. Faith and Reason.
Why He Loves Her.
9. Free Will.
The Power of the Hill.
10. Selfishness (and Science revisited).
The Power of the Quill.
11. Heaps and Eggs.
The Hanging Town.
12. Society, Politics and Money.
If Only.
13. Ethics and Morality.
Can You (Not) Believe It?
14. The Final Excursion.
15. The Words After All Previous Words.
Reading Group Discussion Questions.
Lyrics to "Beautiful Colors"
An Interview With the Author
Index