Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar . . . by Thomas Cathcart

Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar . . .

by Thomas Cathcart

This New York Times bestseller is the hilarious philosophy course everyone wishes they’d had in school.

Outrageously funny, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar... has been a breakout bestseller ever since authors—and born vaudevillians—Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein did their schtick on NPR’s Weekend Edition. Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar... is a not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical thinkers and traditions, from Existentialism (What do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?) to Logic (Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything). Philosophy 101 for those who like to take the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to read—and finally, it all makes sense!

And now, you can read Daniel Klein's further musings on life and philosophy in Travels with Epicurus and Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change it. 

Reviewed by katjah on

3 of 5 stars

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I thought the book was fine, it had (mostly) funny jokes that did illuminate the philosophical concepts discussed, but I did think that the pace was a bit too fast. They race through so many different displines and strains of philosophy that some are a bit under-explained, which makes it hard to really feel like you have a basic understanding of it now. But all in all, it's a fun and accesible introduction to philosophy. 

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Reading updates

  • 25 August, 2021: Started reading
  • 30 August, 2021: Finished reading
  • 30 August, 2021: Reviewed