Great Minds on Small Things

by Matthew Qvortrup

When they were not thinking about deep questions of metaphysics and the meaning of life, history’s most renowned thinkers turned their intellects to relatively frivolous matters. Qvortrup has produced a light-hearted compendium of their less highbrow wisdom, including Laozi’s dislike of roads, Aristotle’s advice for curing hiccups, Hannah Arendt’s views on laughter and Wittgenstein’s reflections on the artichoke.

Hardcover

Reviews

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know there were so many Philosophers until I read this book and laughed at some of the insights they had on things such as birthmarks, buildings, breakfast and bread-if you get this please read about cats, because it's hilarious how a group of people can disagree on everything but the feline!
I love this and the humor and research that went into this makes this quite the read.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Mana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique collection of sayings, remarks, and thoughts on the mundane aspects of life from some of the most renowned philosophers in history. The format of this book is like a dictionary, which adds an intriguing twist.

While some may perceive this endeavor as frivolous or pointless, I believe it offers an opportunity for both entertainment and introspection. This book not only presents musings that provoke reflection and philosophical pondering, but also delves into broader debates and discussions. It appeals to those seeking something beyond the ordinary, yet still holds a deep appreciation for the eccentric and brilliant minds that have shaped our world of ideas over the centuries.

Occasionally, these great thinkers venture beyond their usual topics and share their wisdom on unexpected subjects such as vegetables (Wittgenstein), buildings (Heidegger), food (Hobbes), wine (Locke), and even feces(Plato). More than two hundred and fifty years ago, the French philosopher Voltaire published his Dictionnaire Philosophique (1764), which courageously explored adultery, mountains, nakedness, and numerous other seemingly unphilosophical matters. Another noteworthy French philosopher Barthes continued this tradition in his book Mythologies (1957), offering philosophical insights on topics as wide-ranging as striptease, wrestling, and the innovative Citroën DS of that time.

This compilation brings together the diverse thoughts of these intellectual giants, enlightening us on life's small but significant aspects, including makeup, zealots, sex, farts, cats, coffee, beer, and bees.

This book is delightful, providing concise and captivating reads on various subjects, and serving as an introduction to these esteemed philosophers.

It's a great book for anyone, regardless of their background or interests.

[Jacquie J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Minds on Small Things by Matthew Qvortrup is a delightful exploration of philosophy’s application to everyday life. The book is a compilation of wisdom from philosophers across time and space, applied to seemingly mundane topics.
Qvortrup, an expert in philosophy, takes us on a journey through the alphabet, uncovering what philosophers wrote about ordinary topics such as beer, lipstick quiche and yawning. From Wollstonecraft to Wittgenstein, Laozi to Locke, Aristotle to Arendt, the book covers observations from a variety of philosophers.
The book is entertaining and eye-opening collection. The philosophers’ insights into everyday life make the ordinary seem a lot more highbrow. For instance, Aristotle’s views on ‘farting’ and Wollstonecraft’s thoughts on ‘cheese’ are both amusing and provocative. The book successfully bridges the gap between high philosophy and everyday life, making philosophy accessible and relevant.
However, the book’s strength is also its weakness. The breadth of topics covered means that some topics are not explored in depth with only a paragraph for some topics. While this makes for a light and entertaining read, those seeking a deep dive into philosophy might be left wanting. The second weakness which Qvortrup acknowledges from the onset is that the book only focuses on Western philosophers.
On the whole, Great Minds on Small Things is a clever, interesting, and entertaining book. It offers a fresh perspective on philosophy and its relevance to everyday life. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy or those looking for a unique, enlightening and entertaining read.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a rather idiosyncratic book but one that was quite interesting. It worked best for me when I dipped in for random small doses. This book based on philosophy but delivered with the unique perspective of the author.

Organized by the alphabet, there are exactly what the title describes: Great Minds on Small Things. For example, with the letter B, the author thinks about de Beauvoir’s comment on her bath and takes off from there. Just a couple of other letters and topics to give the flavor would be L where there are entries on laziness and listening among others; for T there is Tea. So, if this sounds like your cuppa, give this one a look. For a bonus, there are illustrations.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Duckworth Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Ishieta Chopra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay-ish book for me.
I like books that have more % of thoughts than quotes of what others in history said about things. or, if quoting, then there is more expansion on it, some pov, something that makes me think a bit more beyond the page.
I read it in bits, a few letters at a time, otherwise it would become a little boring.
It was a lighthearted read.
1 extra star for the author's research and efforts.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book cracked me up. It could have gone further, but it was hilarious to think what serious philosophers think about topics like farting. This would probably be a great book for young people to learn about important philosophers or a great coffee table book.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute little book which lists various topics that various philosophers have written about at one time or another.
It's quite amusing in the topics, ranging from farts to noise to sport.
A quick read.

[Karen Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much more interesting and funnier than I had expected. It just shows that many things do not change much over the centuries. We had a good laugh at many of the entries.