Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy (Fsg Classics) Paperback – March 20, 2007

"Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder is an absolute gem for anyone interested in philosophy or seeking an engaging introduction to the subject. The novel masterfully intertwines the story of a young girl, Sophie, with the history of philosophical thought, making complex ideas accessible and enjoyable.What I particularly loved about this book is how Gaarder weaves philosophical lessons into the narrative, guiding the reader through the thoughts of major philosophers, from Socrates and Plato to Kant and Sartre. The storytelling is captivating, and the philosophical insights are thought-provoking, making it a perfect read for both newcomers and those familiar with philosophy.This book offers a unique experience—it's not just a history of philosophy but an invitation to reflect on life's big questions.

I bought it second-hand. It was in good condition, hardly used.

Sophie’s World is a novel about the history of philosophy. It is also a novel about a young Norwegian girl named Sophie. I can’t give away too much of the structure without spoiling some of the mystery that unfolds over the course of the book, but suffice it to say there are some strange twists to the plot that make the story interesting, if a bit bizarre, and are actually useful in illustrating some of the points of the volume.I am not a philosopher, but I have studied enough philosophy to recognize when a named philosopher is being described accurately. Within the realm of academia, of course, there are heated debates about what Plato really meant and whether the Cynics were always in earnest. However, this book takes the entry level historical discussions of philosophers and presents their perspectives in a recognizable way. Leave it to the college professor to nuance the understanding, and deepen it with more data, but this is Newtonian physics in a quantum world: pretty close to accurate and simple enough to gain a foothold for later exploration.As a Christian theologian, the representations of Christian thinkers was the most distorted. The Christians depicted by Gaarder are flat and lifeless. This is probably the way a philosopher views the explanations of some of the different schools of philosophy. It isn’t debilitating, but it is unimpressive. Some students are likely to gain a little of the famous sophomoric skepticism from reading the book, but a rich immersion in theology afterward is likely to help reinforce sound doctrine.Sophie’s World also has strong preference for the myth of progress. The storyline of philosophy is presented as if each philosopher advanced on the theories of previous philosophers toward some future state when, if Gaarder got his way, everyone would be governed by the United Nations. Considering that this book was originally published by a Norwegian in 1994, that view of things is understandable, but that piece of the story gets a little preachy.Some parents may have concern about a few elements of the story, as well. Throughout the story, the young teenager Sophie lies to her mother (her estranged father is away at sea) and meets up alone with a middle-aged man who becomes her philosophy tutor. Parts of this read like the lead up to a 20/20 episode, but fortunately it doesn’t result in the tragic end that would have made the air. In the chapter on Sigmund Freud there is a reference to a boy dreaming about balloons that are said to represent a girl’s breasts, which is pretty tame as Freud goes.The last couple of chapters dip into the absurd. At Sophie’s philosophy themed birthday party the participants behave bizarrely, with one of Sophie’s friend pouncing on a male classmate with kissing implied and apparent sex in the bushes, off camera. The girl declares that she’s pregnant (absurdly) to reinforce just what’s going on. Of course, what the reader gets from some of these references will depend on what the reader knows, so parents are likely to read more into the stories than an innocent child. In any case, none of these concerns are enough to justify avoiding the book. The questionable content is not extreme, nor is it close to what is available in a lot of young adult literature, but it is easier to know in advance as a parent than to find out after your child points it out.As a vehicle for communicating the history of philosophy, this is an excellent volume. There are points where the text does turn a bit dry and the dialogue does seem more like philosophy notes than conversation, but the novel is a vessel for the content. As a novel, this would not be on my list of top stories, but there is enough story and character to make the drier content more engaging. Taken as a whole, this is a very useful tool for introducing a young student to philosophy in a manageable, reasonably entertaining format.Note: This is an edited version of a review posted at Ethics and Culture.

We are reading it now and love it! Got one for my daughter. Came new and perfect.

I don't give five stars lightly, but this book deserves them. The only thing I find lacking a little is that the few explanations of physical phenomena to be found in the book, leave something to be desired. But the philosophy is very well explained, without the usual technical jargon that makes it difficult to digest for the beginner. If you have a "love of wisdom" (that's what philosophy means,) and some inclination for abstract thinking, this book can serve a very good short introduction to the subject. At the same time, the story interwoven with the philosophy classes is very very imaginative, and makes you want to keep reading to know how will all end.Several things are left unresolved. For instance, will Alberto and Sophie be able to go back to the real world? Are her mother and friends also part of the "ghost world"? I got the impression at the end that the author was thinking on a sequel. I'd love a sequel on a more detailed treatment of analytical philosophy and logical positivism, including the work of Wittgenstein, Bertrand Russel, Rudolf Carnap , A. J. Ayer and Willard van Orman Quine. He could throw in a little propositional logic for good measure. The story should continue with the same characters of course.And why stop there? He could have a sequel on the concepts of Math and another on Physics, for example. :-) Just kidding, but I liked the style of the presentation so much, that the idea of the sequels came to me. I might be tempted some day on writing the Math and Physics parts myself, without plagiarizing of course.

This well written book takes the reader through the history of philosophy, marking all the key players and schools of thought. Each chapter lays out the basics and encourages the reader to learn more about what resonates with them.Perfect for the budding philosopher in your family!

Muy bueno, me ayuda a desarrollar mi inglés al mismo tiempo que repaso temas de mi disciplina

Sophie's World is a captivating blend of fiction and philosophy that takes readers on an intellectual journey through the history of human thought. The story follows Sophie, a young girl who begins receiving mysterious letters that lead her to explore the ideas of great philosophers. Gaarder brilliantly combines storytelling with educational content, making complex philosophical ideas accessible to readers of all ages.The paperback edition of the book has excellent quality, with sturdy binding and smooth pages that make reading comfortable. The print is clear and easy to read, and the cover design is simple yet attractive. This edition is durable enough to handle frequent use, making it a great addition to any bookshelf.While the shift between narrative and philosophical lessons might feel a bit abrupt to some readers, Sophie’s World is a fantastic introduction to philosophy, blending education with an engaging storyline. It’s an insightful read for those curious about philosophy and a must-have for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking literature.

Piacevole ed istruttiva, ottima per praticare un inglese vivo ma ricco. Utile ascoltarlo in audiobook.

This is a lovely story, which hopefully offers the young ones a balance of thrill/excitement and content. It is a fun way to discover the delights of philosophy. I would say a well-read 15 year old is too old for it.