Under the title of the novel, Sophie's World, smaller text reads "A Novel About the History of Philosophy."
Under the title of the novel, Sophie’s World, smaller text reads “A Novel About the History of Philosophy.” This is precisely what the novel is about, “the history of philosophy.” A reader who picks up the novel, flips through the pages, will see over 523 pages of strict text involving history with nothing to stimulate visual interest. It is undoubtedly true that the whole book is similar to a history textbook and the obvious reason to why Norwegian author, Jostein Gaarder, knew that it was necessary to include the presence of a table of content and index. In the novel, the character Alberto Knox makes numerous references to the rule, “a good philosopher always questions.” Everyone who remotely knows about philosophy knows that it’s one of the most basic rules. So with this introduction, the question is why should an individual read such a tedious novel with numerous flaws in it? Like everything there is good and bad. The negative criticisms do outweigh the adulation that could be said about the novel. However, for starters, owning your personal fresh copy of this book costs only $9.99 Canadian and expenses go as far as two additional dollars to satisfy applicable taxes. On the other hand, it would be almost impossible to find a decent readable copy of a philosophy textbook for less than $20.00. After all, a textbook has visual aids and is easier to read, hold and retain interest in. Although the book does contain many flaws, Jostein Gaarder did have a purpose in writing the history of philosophy in a novel format, but it is only by more careful examination and patience that an individual is able to see it.
Gaarder, talking to readers through character Alberto Knox, tells Sophie that “it is a good idea to try and see what each philosopher’s project is.” (30) Saying this, Gaarder narrates over a thousand years time span explaining prominent philosophers and topics teaching readers how philosophy evolved throughout history. It is only by comprehending all this that readers can see how philosophy evolved throughout history and influenced people and following periods’ structure. Individuals are able to see the roots of Western Culture. Gaarder describes the history to Sophie Admundsen, Hilde Moller Knag and readers according to their “correct (chronological) order” (30) of when the philosophized thoughts were enduced. With each era, a considerable amount of analyzation from Sophie’s enlightenment and explanatory comments from Alberto helps readers reach their own stage of understanding. History starts by looking into countries such as Greece, Norway and Sweden that begin the philosophizing process by offering mythological explanations to elucidate the occurance of natural phenomena. Unsatisfied with answers, “Natural Philosophers” evolved and looked away from mythical explanations. Instead, the philosophers seeked more logical explanations for nature’s behavior. Ultimately, the natural Philosophers defined the basic four elements, offered reasons for change and introduced the scientific approach we follow still today. The less religious approach created Greek scientist Democrocritus, whom found the atom theory that scientists evolve their work around and students are forced to learn today. Following, a new age arouse where famous Socrates, Plato and Aristotle lived and profoundly impacted concepts and ideas that remain with us. Socrates was famous for his constant questioning and view on ethics. He taught his philosophy and is responsible for numerous numbers of philosophers’ opinions. One of many examples is Socrates’ student Plato. After following “closely“ to Socrates trial and death, “a profound impression” (81) opened Plato and thus “shape(d) the course of his entire philosophic endeavor.” (81) This further spread as Plato in turn influenced many other people’s ideas. Later, Plato went onto formally teaching the belief of immortality of the soul and demising the “ideal state” is school. On the other hand, following philosopher, Aristotle, had many different beliefs, most significantly his “erroneous view of the sexes.” (117) This “held sway during the Middle Ages” (117) and is the shameful reason why “the church thus inherited a view of women that is entirely without foundation in the Bible.” (117) Later came the Dark Ages where “growth” occurred and the revival of classical culture ideas diffused into influencing the Renaissance. The Enlightenment and Romanticism introduced new people such as Newton, Shakespeare, Calderon de la Barca and Peter Dass who’s work attributed significantly to their field of interest. Most importantly, intelligence was generated by the existence of new ideas, and terminologies that allowed men to become more expressive and intellectual. Thinking revolutionized as we no longer were just created by God in a day, nor was the long-lived social class structure correct. Karl Marx created his Communist Manifesto and Sigmund Freud examined the human mind. Lastly, we learn about the big bang theory and why we even have a ground to stand on. These facts are in the novel and make the book extremely informative. It is by learning history that one is able to understand how thinking evolved and how philosophy drives the past to progress. Philosophy is the framework for modern ideas. By watching philosophy’s history, we see following philosophers pick up where others left off. We in turn are able to pick up new and improved ideas.
