The One-Minute Philosopher

by Montague Brown

This little book to help you resolve many of the big problems that life poses. In this handy guide, you’ll come to understand and learn how to explain — in less than a minute each! — such fundamental notions as why truth is more than just someone’s opinion; what freedom is and how it differs from license; the difference between justice and law, judgment and prejudice, equality and fairness, happiness and pleasure . . . and over 160 other truths that most of us find hard to grasp and even harder to explain. Confronting the dilemmas of teenage rebellion? Can’t figure out whether what you’re feeling is love or lust? Having trouble explaining where virtue ends and hypocrisy begins? Or whether punishment is only revenge by another name? The clear, bite-size explanations found here will solve those problems for you, and many more. In less then the time it takes for an argument to start or for someone you love to turn away, you can learn to make yourself clear and keep the all you have to do is open The One-Minute Philosopher. Within seconds, your understanding will be greater, your mind sharper, and your explanations clearer. With help from The One-Minute Philosopher, you’ll soon be able to make better sense of the world and make better decisions in it. That’s why this handbook is perfect for parents, teachers, students, politicians, social activists, and anyone who wants to understand our world better, live a richer life, and lay the foundations for a truly just society.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

207 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Julian Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent but a bit elementary. I definitely feel like a “one minute philosopher” so joke’s on me…However there were good snippets explaining key differences in topics that plague our world such as tolerance vs relativism, Fairness vs Equality, Conscience vs Feelings, Reality vs Matter, etc. One thing I very much enjoyed were the amount of rich quotes from philosophers, theologians, writers, and historical figures that summarized the topics brilliantly. Glad I read it but nothing groundbreaking.

[Minjung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good examples of differences in mentality and words

Admiration is appreciation of another's good, where as Envy is resentment of another's good.

Although questioning and skepticism both challenge authority, the first dose so to find, and the second to undermine, what is true and good.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended for students grappling with relativism and confused by a postmodern flexibility of truth and meaning, The One-Minute Philosopher is an essential reference for every humanities bookshelf. Pithy definitions, clear explanations, apt quotations and memorable summaries are provided for two terms per page which are often confused with one another but in reality have very different meanings.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun book to help with decision making as well as becoming more educated on common topics that get confused! A good one to have and flip through at leisure!