Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing?: 23 Questions from Great Philosophers

Very helpful in explaining the development of Western Civilization's reasoning on the meaning of life; is there a God; does man have free will; etc. Short chapters on dozens of philosophers and metaphysical thought ending with the authors questions about each philosophers musings. Nice little reference manual.

This is a relatively quick and interesting read. I am amazed that the editor cut the writer's essays on Aristotle (which would have demostrated the author's thoughts on the evolution of Scrates' and and Plato's philosophy), and also an essay on Meister Eckhart, one of my favorite spiritual thinkers. But worth the time to read to be exposed to the philosophy of some well-known thinkers, and some other more obscure thinkers over 2,500 years of human history.

This is an excellent book that I just couldn't quite give five stars to. First, let me tell explain the two things I found problematic with it.

The "God of Christianity" is featured far too much here. It necessarily dominates the discussions of many of his selections for study (Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, etc.), but he manages to drag Christianity into discussions where it seems completely unnecessary as well. Why is this needed (or even sound) in a book which is a sampling of philosophy? It almost, but not quite, gets to the point where it becomes a serious flaw with the book rather than just an annoyance.

In the introduction, the author states that he will concentrate on one idea in the thought of each philosopher, as trying to summarize each in a book such as this would be impossible. Given the natural space limitations of a book like this, that makes sense. But he nevertheless takes up space on a few of his selections by making controversial generalizations - not focusing on one idea - and then not having to defend these generalizations because of the space constraint. His treatment of Nietzsche was particularly glaring in this sense.

Nevertheless, this book is still a fine introduction to some of the problems which have been wrestled with during the history of western philosophy. And he does have a very nice way of fleshing out questions that are still interesting today. Take a look at his section on Plato for a good sample. Overall a fun and interesting read.

Most of us would probably pick up a book like this because we are looking for answers about the meaning of life, or something like that. But instead of answers, Professor Kolakowski offers more questions. He introduces us to one thought or concept from each of 23 philosophers and then, in Socratic style, gives the reader some questions to answer.

This little book is both challenging and enjoyable to read, a real thought-provoker.

This book features essays about great philosophers titled by a question that Kolankowski presents as each thinker's cogent spur.

First, as the other reviewer mentioned, the title of this book must be from the Heidegger essay which is left out of this translation. Out of the 30 essays, Kolankowski says the publisher wanted to cut the number down so they cut 7 of them (Heidegger, Plotinus...). Why, what goofy madness, why on earth would a publisher or editor possibly condone or demand the cut of the one essay that is the title of the book? It makes no sense. My suggestion is that this book should be titled: This is Not a Pipe.

That said, the essays actually don't go into the nature of each question much. I have not read all of it - after quickly discovering that the title's bait-and-switch, I only jumped around and read about 5 of the essays - but they are intellectual biographies of each thinker and then the thinker's question is introduced as a kind of coda.

I think this might be of interest to someone who wanted to learn a little about each thinker, as a casual intro to philosophy and maybe to provoke further reading of their writings. But a general and more detailed introduction to Western Philosophy might do a better job. Still I admire Kolakowski for trying to summarize the lives and influences of these complex thinkers.