Sophie's World

Inhoud

Looking in her mailbox one day, a fourteen-year-old Norwegian schoolgirl called Sophie Amundsen finds two surprising pieces of paper. On them are written the questions: 'Who are you?' and 'Where does the world come from?'

The writer is an enigmatic philosopher called Albert Know, and his two teasing questions are the beginning of an extraordinary tour through the history of Western Philosophy from the pre-Socratics to Sartre. In a series of brilliantly entertaining letters, and then in person, Albert Knox opens Sophie's enquiring mind to the fundamental questions that philosophers have been asking since the dawn of civilisation.

Bespreking

The best intro to philosophy

The Norwegian girl Sophie Amundsen is about to celebrate her fourteenth birthday when she receives through the mail a strange message from a certain Albert Knox. What starts out as a few pieces of paper turns into a full course in philosophy. Although Sophie is enthralled by that mysterious course, she keeps pondering on who that strange Albert Knox might actually be. But that is not the only mystery: Sophie receives post cards addressed to a girl named Hilde. As Sophie receives more messages from Albert, she learns even more that the basics of philosophy.

Although Sophie's World was originally written as an introduction to philosophy for the youngsters, it is also a veritable treat for people who have already passed that stage. Even more, I guess that this is one of the most readable introductions you can find to that wonderfully and interesting world of philosophy. It takes you on a voyage from Socrates to Kant and from Darwin to Freud. It covers the many different perspectives on the world that have been known to influence history. As such it shows nicely how every idea breeds new ideas. The power of the book is that it takes its time to explain every concept and illustrate them with comprehensive examples. The storyline of Sophie guides you through the chapters and adds some mystery value to it. Due to its broad scope it will be a book that you will keep rereading with much joy.