Young Person's Guide to Philosophy

Decartes would approve! This book is a wonderful introduction to philosophy for kids and young adults alike. I don't think that it is too much for kids 5-8; our 7 year old reads it and comes to us with new knowlege and questions to accompany. I would recommend it to anyone intersted in inspiring their kids to think about the world around them in new ways and to further their understanding of some of the greatest figures in history.

I just wonder what the publisher thought when the idea of an overview of philosophy for young people was first proposed. Luckily, they must not have been paying much attention because this extraordinary book is in print. It's really amazing that they could pull this book off. How do you explain what the great thinkers throughout history have thought to teenagers and younger? Somehow, Jeremy Weate was able to break down philosophies to their most basic forms. Weate was also aided by his sense of humor and by the pictures of Peter Layman which can help keep interest from swaying. This really is a very valuable resource. This book is supposed to be directed toward readers of the ages 4-8, but I think it is better for a little older audience. I was able use it very effectively in some college English courses I took in high school. A Young Person's Guide to Philosophy is really excellent. It is really an interesting read and can be very useful.

This book provides excellent, brief, and simply worded accounts summarizing key arguments of the great philosphers (and some also-rans). Strength: clear but not condescending sketches of some very difficult ideas. Drawback: Personality eccentricities are overemphasized. The recommended age range is misleadingly low: my nine-year-olds who are advanced readers found it challenging but within their grasp; an advanced 8-year-old friend gave it up as too hard; and a 10-year old friend who is a very good reader found it profitable and informative. I'd recommend 9-12 as the age range.

This is absolutely the best introductory philosophy book forchildren I have ever seen. The philosophers are covered in historicalorder starting with the presocratics and ending with living philosophers. The pictures are stunning in the first half of the book. My 9yo loves it!

We paid overdue fines at the library on this book as we waited for interested family members to finish reading it. Now we're buying it to keep on hand as a good reference tool. It's a children's book but was also a good review/overview for adults too.