They are waiting for the midsummer eve party, where sophies mother will meet alberto knox, the philosophy teacher. Explain how descartes, spinoza, and locke are all 3 dualists. A summary of the enlightenment and kant in jostein gaarder s sophie s world. Gaarder was a philosophy teacher, so it isnt really surprising that sophie s world is so heavy on philosophy. I read this book over the course of a month, while reading other books in parallel, and sometimes taking a break from it on purpose. It goes from presocratic philosophy all the way to sartre. Every book on your english syllabus summed up in a quote from the office. A novel about the history of philosophy fsg classics paperback march 20, 2007.
Aristotle its only a short way to modern philosophy, starting at descartes. A novel about the history of philosophy by jostein gaarder. Learn the important quotes in sophies world and the chapters theyre from, including why theyre important and what they mean in the context of the book. Its success boils down to something quite simple gaarder s gift for communicating ideas guardian. Gaarder was a philosophy teacher, so it isnt really surprising that sophies world is so heavy on philosophy.
Entertainment weekly first, think of a beginners guide to philosophy, written by a schoolteacher. The different philosophers from sophies world learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. Sophies world lies in the innocent curiosity of the young character, and the clever. One of the trickiest aspects of spinoza s argument is the idea that thought and matter are two different versions of the same substance.
I wasnt particularly interested in the story as such. Sophie starts to learn about the historical beginnings of philosophy. The best parts of sophie s world are the fictional parts sophie s actual world. The book begins with sophie receiving two messages in her mailbox and a. Highlight their similarities and differences in sophies world. A brilliantly original and fascinating story with many twists and turns, it raises profound questions. The novel chronicles their metaphysical relationship as they study western philosophy from its. Sofies verden sophies world, jostein gaarder sophies world is a 1991 novel by norwegian writer jostein gaarder. Sophies world is an outline of western philosophy that is beautifully set in a fictional story. Descartes was the first philosopher in a long time to attempt to bring all. The washington post book world just as remarkable for its playful premise as it is for its accessibility.
Sophies world a novel about the history of philosophy. When 14yearold sophie encounters a mysterious mentor who introduces her to philosophy, mysteries deepen in her own life. When sophie first starts receiving letters from the philosophy teacher, she finds that each one is slightly damp, having two little holes in it. Its success boils down to something quite simple gaarders gift for communicating ideas guardian. Alberto dives right into his lesson on baruch spinoza 163277. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of sophies world and what it means. Have you read sophies world or have an interest in philosophy. The next day, sophie, together with joanna, work on preparing the philosophical garden party. What does sophie see on the inside of a banana peel. Philosophers from sophies world by alan hesu on prezi. Spinoza exemplifies the kind of danger that albert spoke of in relation to the practice of philosophy. It is one of the most commercially successful norwegian novels. This is philosophy 101, it gives a good idea about the history of philosophy. Sep 25, 1994 sophies world a novel about the history of philosophy.
Characters tread murky line between fantasy, reality. It follows the events of sophie amundsen, a teenage girl living in norway, and alberto knox, a middleaged philosopher who introduces her to philosophical thinking and the history of philosophy. A phenomenal worldwide bestseller, sophies world sets out to draw teenagers into the world of socrates, descartes, spinoza, hegel and all the great philosophers. Jul 26, 2015 have you read sophie s world or have an interest in philosophy.
Sophies world was a long, strange, and most unpredictable novel. Sophies world chapter 18, descartes, chapter 19, spinoza. A summary of descartes, spinoza, and locke in jostein gaarders sophies world. This was my very first indepth reading on philosophy. Spinoza wanted to look at things from the perspective o.
A summary of the renaissance and the baroque in jostein gaarders sophies world. Philosophy, wisdom, and wonder theme in sophies world. So to understand different philosophies, one must also. It seems impossible that this could be true,and yet sophies world the novel itselfhelps us understand spinoza s ideas by illustrating them in the plot of the book. Sophies world book study guide chapter 18 chapter 19 6 terms. More praise for the international bestseller that has become europes oddball literary sensation of the decade new york newsday a pageturner. The defining theme of sophies world is, pretty clearly, philosophy. Alberto, an intelligent man, guides sophie through the ancient greeks, the medieval thinkers, and enlightenment and. I bought this book for me neice, as she turned 17 last month. Get an answer for explain how descartes, spinoza, and locke are all 3 dualists. The best parts of sophies world are the fictional partssophies actual world.
In this book written in 1991 by jostein gaarder we see introduced gaarders heroine, sophie amundsen. Bring both your questions and answers to the first day of classes. Hardcore philosphy scholars will likely dismiss this as merely a broad overview of philosophic thought. Sophies world became a bestseller in norway and won the deutscher jugendliteraturpreis in 1994. It earned spinoza an enduring reputation as one of the most important and original thinkers of the seventeenth century. Spinoza was a radical figure in his dayhe questioned both christianity and. Washington post book world sophies world is sheer delight. Samuel shirley, who translated spinoza s complete works into english, summed. The essential charm of sophies world lies in the innocent curiosity of the young character, and the clever narrative structure gaarder designed to pique it. He taught high school philosophy for eleven years before. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. A novel about the history of philosophy, by jostein gaarder the current. Sophies world by jostein gaarder is, in my view, a highly successful attempt to write a history of philosophy together with a story.
Sophies world questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on sophies world. The book became an international sensation after its original release in 1991, and is. Thinking of sophie s world as a mystery novel, what other clues did you encounter over the course of the book. For the following that developed around spinoza s ideas, see spinozism. Spinozas life is a classic example of philosophy as a dangerous, radical endeavor. Dec 05, 1991 sofies verden sophie s world, jostein gaarder sophie s world is a 1991 novel by norwegian writer jostein gaarder. Samuel shirley, who translated spinozas complete works into english, summed. A novel about the history of philosophy by jostein. Jan 01, 2007 sophies world by jostein gaarder is, in my view, a highly successful attempt to write a history of philosophy together with a story. How i wish id had it during my college freshman survey of philosophy. Spinoza s philosophy encompasses nearly every area of philosophical discourse, including metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, ethics. The introduction of bishop berkeleys thought becomes a pivotal.
The essential charm of sophies world lies in the innocent curiosity of the young character, and the clever narrative structure gaarder designed to. A summary of socrates, athens, and plato in jostein gaarders sophies world. Start a free trial of quizlet plus by thanksgiving lock in 50% off all year try it free ends in 00d 08h 20m 43s. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid 19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Stay connected to your students with prezi video, now in microsoft teams. Sophie s world questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on sophie s world. This is a great book, a mustread i should say for anyone who is starting up with philosophy. Jostein gaarder does a very good job not just by writing a concise history of philosophy, but also by writing a very accessible book for as far as early teenagers, which in itself is. Daily mail what is admirable in the novel is the utter unpretentiousness of the philosophical lessons, the plain and workmanlike prose which manages to deliver western philosophy in accounts that are crystal clear.
But the history of philosophy is very well done and informative. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Sophie s world the side story is kind of lightweight, and i almost put the novel down because of that, however, sophie s narrative provides the little breaks in the philosphical passages that allow you to digest the ideas presented. Sophie calms her mother down about sophie taking lessons from alberto. Sophies next lesson is on rene descartes 15961650, who is considered the father of modern philosophy as well as anal. Jostein gaarder the protagonists are sophie amundsen, a 14yearold girl, and alberto knox, her philosophy teacher. A summary of the enlightenment and kant in jostein gaarders sophies world. Baruch spinoza s philosophy encompasses nearly every area of philosophical discourse, including metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of science. At the same time, sophie is curious who is giving her. It is a first edition of the book of descartess philosophical essays. Alberto, an intelligent man, guides sophie through the ancient greeks, the medieval thinkers, and enlightenment and romantic idealists. Well, i read this book 10 years ago, when i was 17. Hegel thought of history like a river and each era in history produces its own thought that suits the world spirit of the day. It seems impossible that this could be true,and yet sophies world the novel itselfhelps us understand spinozas ideas by illustrating them in the plot of the book.
Her best friend is greatgreataunt al from scotland, who looks a bit like a bird, and her worst enemy is the dreadful dawn. Just as spinoza believed that god is everywhere in the world and is the world, so. By 2011 the novel had been translated into fiftynine languages, with over forty million print copies sold. The novel part is a bit strange and awkward, but it was entertaining enough to keep my interests. One of the trickiest aspects of spinozas argument is the idea that thought and matter are two different versions of the same substance. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. It follows sophie amundsen, a norwegian teenager who is introduced to the history of philosophy by alberto knox, a middleaged philosopher. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Augustine the renaissance aristotle spinoza marx hume kant hegel freud socrates saw similarities between platos beliefs and christianity people are spiritual beings with souls that can be fated to know. The english translation was published in 1995, and the book was reported to be the bestselling book in the world in that year. Learn the important quotes in sophie s world and the chapters theyre from, including why theyre important and what they mean in the context of the book. Sofies verden is a 1991 novel by norwegian writer jostein gaarder. This book contains a novel mantra for those days when the world gets in your face. Madeleine lengle about the author jostein gaarder, an awardwinning novelist and shortfiction writer, was born in 1952 in oslo, norway.
It s a summary of the history of philosophy written as a novel. How did socrates represent a new era in philosophy. He taught highschool philosophy for several years before publishing a collection of short stories in 1986 and, shortly thereafter, his first two novels, the solitaire mystery and sophie s world, and several others since then. Baruch spinozas philosophy encompasses nearly every area of philosophical discourse, including metaphysics, epistemology, political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of science. She loves animals snails and cats and rabbits and dogs and pigs and she wants to be a farmer when she grows up. She encounters first some odd philosophical questions and then the first chapter of a written philosophy course in her mailbox. Its a summary of the history of philosophy written as a novel. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of sophie s world and what it means. It all starts when twelve year old sophie receives an anonymous letter. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. He is the author of many other bestselling, beloved novels and childrens books, including the orange girl, the christmas mystery and the ringmasters daughter. Sophies world, the first of his books to be published in english, has been translated into 60 languages and has sold over 40 million copies. Sophies world the side story is kind of lightweight, and i almost put the novel down because of that, however, sophies narrative provides the little breaks in the philosphical passages that allow you to digest the ideas presented.