Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar...: Understanding Philosophy through Jokes

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More About This Book

Overview

This New York Times bestseller is the hilarious philosophy course everyone wishes they’d had in school

Outrageously funny, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar . . . has been a breakout bestseller ever since authors—and born vaudevillians—Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein did their schtick on NPR’s Weekend Edition. Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar . . . is a not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical thinkers and traditions, from Existentialism (What do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?) to Logic (Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything). Philosophy 101 for those who like to take the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to read—and finally, it all makes sense!

Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.

Editorial Reviews

Boston Globe
The zaniest bestseller of the year.\
Roy Blount Jr.
I laughed, I learned, I loved it.\

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780143113874
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 6/24/2008
  • Edition description: Reprint
  • Pages: 224
  • Sales rank: 89,648
  • Product dimensions: 4.90 (w) x 6.90 (h) x 0.70 (d)

Meet the Author

Thomas Cathcart
Tom Cathcart and Daniel Klein pursued the usual careers after majoring in philosophy at Harvard. Tom worked with street gangs in Chicago and dropped in and out of various divinity schools. Dan wrote jokes for comedians, including Flip Wilson and Lily Tomlin, designed stunts for Candid Camera, and continues to pen thrillers. Each lives with his wife in New England

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Sort by: Showing all of 14 Customer Reviews

  • Posted January 31, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Fun read, maybe learn something too

    Philosophy is so hard to get through, so this little book with its humor made some things clearer. I'm not sure I'll remember much, but I did appreciate the glossary and index at the end of the book for reference. I remember struggling with a general Philosophy course in college. This book would be a good addition to a syllbus.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted April 14, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    9780764551536 9780374530716

    one of the funniest books I have read for a long time.

    What is ' understanding?'
    After reading this book you are as far from understanding philosophy as you ever were but you will be very curious to find out more.
    Your faith in the human species will be a little bit restored.
    It is a first class feel good book.
    Keep it close to you for every day reference.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted January 8, 2012

    Recommended - for children ages 15-90.

    Philosophy made fun. Filled with funny and clever jokes. Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein work great together. I will be reading their other books as well hoping they are as good or better.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted February 20, 2010

    Started out okay...

    I was laughing at the beginning (the book showed lots of promise), but by the end, the jokes didn't interest me as much as the topics did. And there was a small section regarding capitalism and communism that ticked me off. I didn't agree with the authors' premise regarding these issues, and it made the rest of the book less palatable for me. I don't regret reading it, but won't be recommending it to anyone that I know.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted February 20, 2010

    Lifts the Academic Stigma of Philosophy

    I took Philosophy in at the University of Tennessee. Man was I confused.
    This little book will give the prospective student a good insight to the science of thought without having to cut away the "fat" served in the traditional class room. The old thinkers fretted over word play. I re-learned what I had studied in college but on a more "down to earth" format. Now I understand. These Harvard writers lay it all out in plain simple english and explain the logic that confused generations of "thinkers of thought. After reading it I was thunk.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted January 30, 2010

    Very funny but not as enlightening as I wanted

    This was a laugh-out-loud book that has the premise of tying complex and arcane philosophical concepts to humor. I was taken by the humor but was often left in the dark about what it was trying to teach me. I have never understood philosophy and unfortunately this did not help. Did enjoy the jokes though.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 12, 2009

    Funny Stuff for Smart Thinkers

    Philosophy education while making you laugh.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 14, 2009

    Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar

    Absolutely hilarious! As a college student of philosophy, this little book brought the textbook into perspective with a lot of laughs included.
    A must read for philosophy students!

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  • Posted March 23, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Phunny Philosophy

    Definitely more of a joke book than a philosophy book, but an absolutely entertaining read. Serious philosophers should probably avoid this book, but "weekenders" like myself will find more than a few insights.

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    Posted October 26, 2008

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