101 Experiments in the Philosophy of Everyday Life
Product Description
In 101 short examples, Roger-Pol Driot invites us to reconsider our most ordinary actions as unexpected philosophical events. Peeling an apple, trying to lie in a hammock, watching someone sleep, hearing your voice on an answering machine, playing with a small child – activities that, when considered outside of their routine, invite us to experience the familiar in startling new ways. Droit encourages us to go further: pretend to be an animal of your choice, create a wall with your hands, try to walk around your room in total darkness, spend time in the subway system – and observe your oddity.
101 Experiments in the Philosophy of Everyday Life
Takis Tz. said,
Wrote on August 15, 2010 @ 11:44 pm
This is an interesting approach this book follows as it introduces philosophy in everyday life through a series of actions (“experiments” the author calls them).
It’s all divided into 101 very short chapters thematically categorised. Examples include:
-Empty a word of its meaning
-Play with a child
-Encounter pure chance
-Take the tube without going anywhere
-Play the fool
-Follow the movements of ants
-Come across a childhood toy
-Try not to think
-Be aware of yourself speaking
Several of these philosophical experimentations are probably things everyone has thought about at some point. The author collects them all, emphasizes, dwells, goes the sep further as he invents new ones or comes up with betetr versions of known older ones.
It might sound like the way a child discovers philosophy, but, bearing in mind that most people stay at that level of awareness most their lives the book actually hits its target convincingly. It’s a fun and for the most part surprisingly trippy reading even for those who consider themselves a bit ahead philosophically. That is mainly due to the ability of Roger-Pol Droit to keep you intrigued as you progress through his book.
Many of the concepts he discusses have been through our minds occasionally but we let them “escape” without placing the appropriate attention on them. There’s a lot to be thought about by looking at the activity of an ant colony or even by watching dust in the sun (other microscopic worlds).
Concepts like these can only lead you forward to other more advanced personal researches. Which is exactly the point of course.
Moreover, Roger-Pol Droit’s book is one you’ll probably come back to every now and again as is impossible to actually try out the things in it that interest you most in one go.
Rating: 4 / 5