Author : Julian Baggini
What is it about : A series of thought experiments to examine unreliable human intuitions, moral dilemma, suspectable logic, culture gaps, language barriers, religion, reality, relationships behaviour, life and afterlife, the mind and the brain. Some of these philosophical debates can be thought provoking, a couple of them being very practical ones but a few of them down right just hot air about nothing - on this last point, at the end of one such debate, on page 255, the book read "...if you find these problems trivial rather than engrossing, don't study logic or the philosophy of language...". Em, yes.
Some thoughts after having read the book : Generally speaking, the species in the animal kingdom spend their time doing the followings. Finding or hunting for food - think bees and lions, lying down for a rest - think elephants and horses, locating a mate and pro-create - think colorful tropical birds and arctic penguins, fooling around - think pandas and hippos. Us the Human Species go that one extra step - we ponder and contemplate and even develope a university course called Philosophy. Well, this book has come up with 100 of these philosophical questions waiting to bore, entertain and enlighten the readers. Personally, I liked the questions on environmental issues and moral dilemma on euthanasia.
Would I recommend this book to you : The ones requiring deeper thinking took me through a few days of enjoyable good soul searching; other ones, a deep sigh of exclamation followed by a crying out "what's the fuss ?". Overall, a worthwhile book to contemplate about Life.
From the Preface of the book, "Imagination without reason is merely fancy, but reason without imagination is sterile", so this is a book for readers to find that scientist and philosopher in you. Slow reading required though, perhaps, taking 5 of these philosophical workout for the mind (or brain) at a sitting.
