Product Description

Stephen Law follows THE PHILOSOPHY FILES with a second book of philosophical conundrums for teenagers. This time he asks such questions as Do Miracles Happen? Why Do These Words Mean Something? and Do I Know the Sun will Rise Tomorrow? You can dip into the arguments that interest you, in eight chapters where the themes are set up in witty scenarios and then debated. There are wacky thought experiments to work out and a variety of characters appear - some of them Martians. As in THE PHILOSOPHY FILES, there are hundreds of lively cartoons running through the book. Stephen Law is a brilliant communicator with a passion to make young people think for themselves. As the GUARDIAN said: 'It's philosophy in action rather than philosophy in aspic. . . a real philosophy book for kids - which students and adults could enjoy too - finally exists'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #192268 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07-17
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Review
"Written in comical style, punctuated by excellent cartoons from Daniel Postgate, the book offers a very useful guide to the logical frameworks underpinning all true philosophical investigation based on very practical if usually humorous situations." (Yoga & Health Magazine, Sep 03 )

"There is something addictive about this book...The Outer Limits is as much about how to think as it is about nailing answers, and humour is all part of the process." (Guardian Children's Books Supplement, Autumn 03 )

From the Back Cover
Travel to the Outer Limits with Stephen Law, and get to grips with some of the greatest mysteries of the universe! Do you believe in flying saucers? Is time travel possible? Is it ever right to kill somebody? How do you think the world began? In a text that sparkles with wit and ingenuity, Stephen Law argues each point of view and asks: What do YOU think? A brilliant follow-up to The Philosophy Files, showing you just how to think your way out of the box.

About the Author
Stephen Law was a school dropout who became a postman in Cambridge, then took a degree in philosophy at Oxford, becoming a Junior Research Fellow at the Queen's College. He now teaches philosophy at Heythrop College, University of London. Daniel Postgate is the cartoonist for the DAILY EXPRESS. He has illustrated a number of children's books, including THE PHILOSOPHY FILES. Daniel Postgate is the cartoonist for the Daily Express. He has illustrated a number of children's books, including The Philosophy Files and The Outer Limits.

Customer Reviews

A thinking exercise for children
This is a companion volume to The Philosophy Files by the same author. Although it deals with some of the same topics it does so using fresh ideas. Clearly intended for children aged from about 9 upwards it is still a good read for adults, especially when vicariously enjoyed through the eyes of a child companion reader. I read the book aloud with my 9 year old daughter, over the course of a few evenings, discussing issues as we went. She lapped up the material and felt complimented that she should be invited to think about the philosophical topics brought up in the book viz.: a consideration of astrology, flying saucers and ESP, killing people, the death penalty, the origin of the universe, whether time travel is possible, whether a machine could think and the nature of science. He does all this by way of Socratic dialogues conducted between sparky cartoon characters who take up opposing points of view and manage never to become impatient with one another - always respecting each others views.

According to The Philosopher's Magazine the vast majority of philosophers in the Western World are atheists and Stephen Law is clearly no exception. For me, an atheist and humanist, this was one of the most appealing features of the book. His analysis of the arguments for and against the existence of God are set out lucidly and he includes an admirable critique of creation science. The apparent simplicity of his exposition does not conceal its intelligence and I found it added light to my previous discussions on the subject with my daughter in a delightful way.

Only one part of the book gives cause for some concern. At one point, in the chapter on killing people where moral dilemmas regarding this topic are discussed, the 'Grand Vizier of Moldana' is presented with an awful choice by the terrible Warls who have invaded his country. He must kill one of a hundred children lined up in front of him or watch them all killed if he refuses. My daughter baulked at this, saying that she could not possibly make up her mind either way, the consequences were too dreadful to think about. She clearly found it upsetting and less robust children would find it more so. I had not anticipated this reaction. Over the next few days she returned to discuss the matter from time to time and I feel that it is now resolved. She learnt an important lesson - that moral dilemmas can involve painful choices. However, parents should make sure they consider their child's likely reaction to this matter.

Overall a splendid book.