101 Philosophy Problems

I have read both the English edition and now have the Chinese edition too. I quite agree with what it says about the book, viz: this is a masterpiece of eccentric genius with a world-sweeping humorous philosophy. After all, does philosophy have to be cut and dried and boring? Dr Martin Cohen, would never agree even if he has to be bitten to death twice, as the Chinese proverb has it. Because what he hates most,are those boring philosophic theories and the boring philosophers. In the book, he even suggests some philosophers are like vampires,shuddering and covering their eyes in fear and loathing at the clarity of a well-constructed sentence.The humorous Dr Martin Cohen is in fact the editor of the Philosopher, the highly respected English Journal, founded in 1923, for which thefamous John Dewey, Bertrand Russell and so on used to write, as well as the frequent stirrer of waves and blower of wind in today's Britishphilosophical world.In his book, Dr Cohen has collected 101 interesting Philosophy Problems. Together with his humorous and sharp commentary, these provide readers with a unique experience and in-depth understanding that philosophy is actually a game which everyone is able to play. The readers, as if charmed by Martin's spell, will follow his instructions and dance with him. The book has been translated into many other languages. Dr Martin Cohen says, "if the boring philosophers find this all too easy, let them answer some of the questions!"

This is the only book I've actually brought to school and read aloud to my friends at the lunchtable, an activity previously reserved for fashion magazines, social emails and last-minute textbook readings. Personally I would be happy to sit around reading Plato or Aristotle, but the average high schooler would not; even my friends who swore to hate anything having to do with that heavy, paradoxical material were entertained by and interested in this book. My personal favorites are ethical narratives, like the professor and the dog and the ones about imaginary civilizations. Definitely recommended for philosophy lovers, and especially for philosophy haters!

I know this is supposed to be a bad thing, often, but really this book lends itself to teaching. I found the teaching tips on using the book on the same site as 'The Philosopher' when I went to look up their reviews, and these last few weeks I have been using some of the problems in class - especially the ones about the bad tempered green grocer (is he responsible for his actions?) and the island of Marjonians (when should the wishes of the majority over-ride individual rights?)But my favorite is the one with the Professor and the Dog!

This book is described in the blurb as 'a fresh and original introduction to philosophy...intended for those with little or no knowledge of philosophy, such as A-level students or readers in further education courses, as well as all introductory philosophy courses'. The description seems entirely appropriate, yet it is necessary to add the qualification that the book is a highly unconventional specimen. Indeed, I suspect it may not be recognized as a real philosophical book by some people whose view of what philosophy is, what a philosophical book is like, and how such a book is to be read is formed by the content and style of the great philosophical works that form the staple in the curricula of Philosophy Departments.What is Martin Cohen's own view of what philosophy is that permeates his book? It is the view that philosophy is an activity: the intellectual activity of engaging with philosophical problems, discussing proposed solutions to the problems, disputing arguments for proposed solutions, identifying and questioning assumptions underlying problems, solutions and arguments. This view, of course, is not unknown in Philosophy Departments, even though most professional philosophers tend to emphasize the theories which embody attempts to answer particular problems. Cohen emphasizes the problems themselves, or at least the value of the problems, from which any answers derive such value as they may possess. 101 Philosophy Problems is basically an invitation to think critically about philosophical problems, often by way of conducting thought experiments.What is this book like? Both in regard to its structure and the style in which it is written, it is very unconventional. The first part of the book consists of a series of very short stories or narrative texts, grouped by subject-matter, setting out problems or puzzles of philosophical interest. Some of these problems are well-known in philosophical literature, e.g. the paradox of Epimenides the Cretan, who said: 'All Cretans are liars'. In the second part of the book, entitled 'Discussions', Cohen provides explanations and analyses of the issues raised by each of the problems, with some references to the treatment offered by particular historical philosophers. These discussions are intelligent and balanced, if (in most cases at least) inevitably inconclusive. The last two sections, 'Glossary' and 'Reading Guide', offer helpful pointers to further philosophical study of a more 'academic' character.The style of the writing is equally unconventional. Cohen always writes clearly, untechnically and informally - these being virtues which are rare enough, but not exclusive to him - and further he writes in a self-consciously comic manner. His sense of humour is mostly of the gentle P.G. Wodehouse-type variety, but occasionally explodes in Stoppardian slapstick. So, in a parody of the sceptical doubt he writes: How do I know that I haven't fallen into the clutches

The often staid world of introductory philosophy textbooks has the dust blown off by this revolutionary first proper book by Martin Cohen (adding to his distinguished background of articles, editing journals, graphics and assorted snippets) - a humorous and accessible manual which offers an easy 'bite-size' digest for newcomers to this often fascinating field.Cohen's droll wit and lively, succinct story-telling are applied to a series of very short stories and puzzles which demystify this hitherto often offputting topic, and give a painless, palatable, enjoyable way of learning.Rather than offering knee-jerk, definitive answers to these eternal conundrums, Cohen offers gentle guidance in discussing them, yet leaves the questions dangling for further musings by the reader.Meanwhile Cohen under-statedly shows how philosophy is not some abstract 'dead' area with no relevance to the so-called 'real world', but - au contraire - it may be applied to everything that happens or can be thought about.Complete with a dummy's guide to landmark philosophers through the ages, and a basic glossary, "101..." is the thinking person's philosophy book. It is recommended as a standard text for beginners' philosophy classes or the armchair rationalist, and whets one's appetite for future volumes.