Scan barcode
kracekumar's review against another edition
4.0
An unknown person starts writing letters to fourteen years old about philosophy, intrigued by the letters and subject the main character, Sophie gets on to the track to know about western philosophy.
The book is a starting point to know about western philosophy and not any substitute for the history of western philosophy by Bertrand Rusell.
At times, the writing style poses a serious question, is it a fictional or non-fictional work.
The author/translator gets a few facts wrong about India and it's language.
In page 126, ”In Sanskrit, the ancient classical language of India, the gods are called asura and in Persian Ahura.”
Asura may mean God, in most of the time it's used to denote demon or evil.
Author/translator may be unaware of Tamil which also a classical language in India. Rather writing it as ”Sanskrit, one of the classical languages of India ” write it as ”classical language of India”, as of no other language in India has a similar status. You can read more about Tamil’s status of classical language in https://southasia.berkeley.edu/tamil-classes by George L Hart.
The book is a starting point to know about western philosophy and not any substitute for the history of western philosophy by Bertrand Rusell.
At times, the writing style poses a serious question, is it a fictional or non-fictional work.
The author/translator gets a few facts wrong about India and it's language.
In page 126, ”In Sanskrit, the ancient classical language of India, the gods are called asura and in Persian Ahura.”
Asura may mean God, in most of the time it's used to denote demon or evil.
Author/translator may be unaware of Tamil which also a classical language in India. Rather writing it as ”Sanskrit, one of the classical languages of India ” write it as ”classical language of India”, as of no other language in India has a similar status. You can read more about Tamil’s status of classical language in https://southasia.berkeley.edu/tamil-classes by George L Hart.
sydyoungstories's review against another edition
3.0
A fictional review of all major philosophies. Very good, but not my thing.
thoughtcouture's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lottesam's review against another edition
5.0
I read the Dutch version of this book. I really enjoyed it, it's a nice way to learn about part of the philosophical history of the world. At first I was reading 2 chapters at once, but I really didn't want to stop reading after a while. Really inspiring book I would recommend to many children and adults.
Nederlandse versie gelezen. Leuke manier om een deel van de geschiedenis van de filosofie te lezen. Ik wilde het op een gegeven moment niet meer wegleggen. Inspireert om niet te stoppen met verwonderen over de wereld wanneer we volwassen worden.
Nederlandse versie gelezen. Leuke manier om een deel van de geschiedenis van de filosofie te lezen. Ik wilde het op een gegeven moment niet meer wegleggen. Inspireert om niet te stoppen met verwonderen over de wereld wanneer we volwassen worden.
elinorliest's review against another edition
4.0
Read when I was like 12 and it scared the hell out of me
marianis182's review against another edition
5.0
¡Te vuela la cabeza! Es excelente para empezar a filosofar.
john01meyer's review against another edition
5.0
This is a truly special book. Part coming-of-age novel, part history of philosophical ideas, "Sophie's World" engages readers with why philosophy matters and mysteries whose fascinating answers made this book's ending one of the best I've ever found. I can't say more without spoiling the novel, so I encourage you to begin reading yourself!
The novel's protagonist, Sophie, receives several letters over the course of the novel, the contents of which teach her about the whole of Western philosophy, from Socrates to Sartre. If I had one qualm with the book, it is the lack of engagement with non-western philosophers. Philosophers of the Roman Empire and of the Medieval period are also only breezily talked about. The focus is heavily on the Greeks and on philosophers from about 1600 CE onwards, but it works out since many of these philosophers are the most well-known and interesting. If you've always wanted a way into thinking about philosophy but weren't sure where to start, you can't do much better than "Sophie's World"!
The novel's protagonist, Sophie, receives several letters over the course of the novel, the contents of which teach her about the whole of Western philosophy, from Socrates to Sartre. If I had one qualm with the book, it is the lack of engagement with non-western philosophers. Philosophers of the Roman Empire and of the Medieval period are also only breezily talked about. The focus is heavily on the Greeks and on philosophers from about 1600 CE onwards, but it works out since many of these philosophers are the most well-known and interesting. If you've always wanted a way into thinking about philosophy but weren't sure where to start, you can't do much better than "Sophie's World"!
vanvalp_'s review against another edition
3.0
Una bonita y didáctica introducción a la historia de la filosofía. Recuerdo haberla leído en diagonal cuando estaba en el colegio, y me arrepiento de no haberle puesto mayor cuidado. Es un libro perfecto para alguien entre 16-18 años.
Me pareció un total acierto que los primeros capitulos estuvieran organizados de tal forma que te hace sentir como si fueras Sofia, con hambre de conocimiento y esperando ansiosamente una nueva carta de tu curso de filosofía.
Me pareció un total acierto que los primeros capitulos estuvieran organizados de tal forma que te hace sentir como si fueras Sofia, con hambre de conocimiento y esperando ansiosamente una nueva carta de tu curso de filosofía.