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The Dream Weaver: One Boy's Journey through the Landscape of Reality
“How sure can you be that you’re not dreaming right now?” “Up until now, completely sure,” I responded. “Dreams aren’t really anything like reality. Dreams are, well, they’re more dreamy . You can just tell. Things happen in dreams that don’t happen in reality. Usually, anyway.” The hero of The Dream Weaver , young Ian Pinkle, encounters a world full of the unknown. With the help of a mentor and a friend or two, he sheds light on some of life's most difficult How do we determine morality? What is the meaning of life? Does God exist? How can we determine Truth? Fairness? What are the mind and soul like? Ian--in his playful, curious manner--addresses these questions in a way that lets readers develop their own answers, and in doing so, he guides the readers through a history of philosophical thought in a clever, conversational and even adventurous style. This allows readers to think for themselves, ask questions themselves--and to be philosophers themselves. Alongside Ian's story are annotations that give an opportunity to realize the connections with Ian's dilemmas and insights to some fo the most renowned thinkers throughout history. Whether Ian is creating universes to explore the apparent paradoxical issues of evil, or playfully addressing (and solving!) the chicken-or-the-egg question, he will provide all readers with both "a ha!" moments and moments that challenge their most firmly rooted foundations. And all the while, there's a nice little surprise waiting at the end.
- GenresPhilosophyFictionNovels
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2006
15 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 24, 2013
PROs:
* Lots of topics covered
* Simple and interesting intro to philosophy
* Opinions of many philosophers
CONs:
* Too simplistic, even for an introduction
* Very bad ideas are made to seem tenable
This is a very broad book, attempting to cover most philosophical topics (self, mind, ethics, metaphysics, science, etc.), and does a pretty good job at showing different philosophical thoughts across the millennia. Unfortunately, with such a broad scope, many influential philosophers are overlooked (particularly contemporary ones), and the ones that are talked about are naturally dumbed down. My main problem with the book is that *every* argument is treated as equal, even when the argument is obviously terrible and has been refuted thousands of times. One such example is Paley's watchmaker argument, which he made pre Darwin, and has since been shown to be untenable. The author pretends like it is perfectly acceptable to dismiss evolution and pretend we are the product of magic. This is not good philosophy. I'd recommend getting an introduction book that focuses on single philosophical topics.
* Lots of topics covered
* Simple and interesting intro to philosophy
* Opinions of many philosophers
CONs:
* Too simplistic, even for an introduction
* Very bad ideas are made to seem tenable
This is a very broad book, attempting to cover most philosophical topics (self, mind, ethics, metaphysics, science, etc.), and does a pretty good job at showing different philosophical thoughts across the millennia. Unfortunately, with such a broad scope, many influential philosophers are overlooked (particularly contemporary ones), and the ones that are talked about are naturally dumbed down. My main problem with the book is that *every* argument is treated as equal, even when the argument is obviously terrible and has been refuted thousands of times. One such example is Paley's watchmaker argument, which he made pre Darwin, and has since been shown to be untenable. The author pretends like it is perfectly acceptable to dismiss evolution and pretend we are the product of magic. This is not good philosophy. I'd recommend getting an introduction book that focuses on single philosophical topics.
October 10, 2007
I have no words to justify this book and how amazing it is. It's philosophical without being completely confusing. It made me think more about God and science and point of view. I really like that the book doesn't try to answer questions, but merely offers more views to the issues.
June 6, 2012
A textbook barely disguised as a novel,a 14 year old who speaks and makes leaps of understanding like no 14 year old I have ever know, the format of deconstruction then reconstruction of thoughts, and marginal quotations that interrupt the narrative all made for an annoying read.
The point of the book, I gather, is to help facilitate understanding of philisophical ideas and theories. It did that, and while my philosophy professor assured our class we would enjoy the book-I did not.
The point of the book, I gather, is to help facilitate understanding of philisophical ideas and theories. It did that, and while my philosophy professor assured our class we would enjoy the book-I did not.
July 24, 2008
A great way to open your mind and explore different ideas. A great introduction to philosophy that is very creative and very fun to read.
January 21, 2018
Overall: This is a good SUPPLEMENT for any philosophy or logic course that’s math/science heavy and a quick run down of basic principles is okay. If you use this to supplement a study for a concept/essay heavy philosophy course then this will fall short of your expectations. A good quick read to change your outlook for the new year.
The Good:
This book really is able to explain philosophical concepts in a way that isn’t foreign or loaded with words that confuse even more. I really like how the author was able to allow us to be able to make our own connections with the topic. It helps to solidify things from my logic class.
The Bad:
The book does not go in-depth the way that many people would want. The book also uses a narrative to work through what was going on while alienating people because of juvenile narrative. You couldn’t even begin to go more in-depth because the main character is a child which keeps the discussion on the surface.
The Ugly:
There’s no real clear mapping of each philosophical concept and what branch it relates to or even what the concept even is. There was so much jumping around in the order of the concepts (even going from one random branch of philosophy to another) that I would have been confused on how the branches of philosophy are connected or not connected.
The Good:
This book really is able to explain philosophical concepts in a way that isn’t foreign or loaded with words that confuse even more. I really like how the author was able to allow us to be able to make our own connections with the topic. It helps to solidify things from my logic class.
The Bad:
The book does not go in-depth the way that many people would want. The book also uses a narrative to work through what was going on while alienating people because of juvenile narrative. You couldn’t even begin to go more in-depth because the main character is a child which keeps the discussion on the surface.
The Ugly:
There’s no real clear mapping of each philosophical concept and what branch it relates to or even what the concept even is. There was so much jumping around in the order of the concepts (even going from one random branch of philosophy to another) that I would have been confused on how the branches of philosophy are connected or not connected.
January 24, 2018
This was a weird, funky and sometimes fun book to read.
Even though sometimes I had to think about some of the concepts discussed in there, other times I simply read while thinking of some other stuff. I didn't see the ending coming, and I was expecting a different result, but I have learned to accept it since I finished the book.
I wouldn't recommend it to somebody who really loves philosophy and all that it signifies, but for amateurs like me, I think it's a nice exercise for the mind. I wouldn't read it again, though, but I would read it to my children when the time comes.
Even though sometimes I had to think about some of the concepts discussed in there, other times I simply read while thinking of some other stuff. I didn't see the ending coming, and I was expecting a different result, but I have learned to accept it since I finished the book.
I wouldn't recommend it to somebody who really loves philosophy and all that it signifies, but for amateurs like me, I think it's a nice exercise for the mind. I wouldn't read it again, though, but I would read it to my children when the time comes.
March 21, 2016
Oh dear. A bit of dud, don't you think?
I appreciate the effort to do philosophy with young people, but this book is so dull and lifeless that I could not get my students into it, even when I let them read it in their native language, Chinese (a scholarly publisher commissioned a translation which I must say is impressively accurate). This was last spring. For much of 2015 I thought that Sophie's World was a much better choice, tackling similar material but from a more historical perspective and with a more human story. But it turns out, the kids mostly hate both books because they are too obviously didactic. I'm in my mid-30s and I guess I like didactic literature, because for me taking a little time from work and family to do some learning is fun. But to kids, with lives lived mostly in school or doing stuff for school, didactic literature is unlikely to work, especially when served up by a teacher.
So these days we just read Dostoyevsky and come up with our ethical and intellectual commitments ourselves, in conversation. If I want to do something more systematic, then probably I would read Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy with the students. Go big or go home!
I appreciate the effort to do philosophy with young people, but this book is so dull and lifeless that I could not get my students into it, even when I let them read it in their native language, Chinese (a scholarly publisher commissioned a translation which I must say is impressively accurate). This was last spring. For much of 2015 I thought that Sophie's World was a much better choice, tackling similar material but from a more historical perspective and with a more human story. But it turns out, the kids mostly hate both books because they are too obviously didactic. I'm in my mid-30s and I guess I like didactic literature, because for me taking a little time from work and family to do some learning is fun. But to kids, with lives lived mostly in school or doing stuff for school, didactic literature is unlikely to work, especially when served up by a teacher.
So these days we just read Dostoyevsky and come up with our ethical and intellectual commitments ourselves, in conversation. If I want to do something more systematic, then probably I would read Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy with the students. Go big or go home!
January 29, 2013
The Dream Weaver is filled with many mysteries, brain twisters and scenarios that are slightly tricky. Since I read the Dream Weaver for a Philosophy course I spent a lot of time analyzing the book and I definitely made a large number of connections to it. The novel is based on philosophy so its really tricky and hard to wrap your brain around, but once you get your brain there you suddenly enter a world of thoughts that never seem to leave.
Overall, I had mixed feelings on the book; some chapters I enjoyed and some were boring and not entertaining. On the other hand, I did enjoy the theories that were shared in the book and how the young character (Ian) was guided through a world of philosophy that he yet did not know of, it made me feel like I was there learning with him. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in learning more about philosophy or to someone who is interested in learning theories, sharing ideas or fascinated by the world itself.
Overall, I had mixed feelings on the book; some chapters I enjoyed and some were boring and not entertaining. On the other hand, I did enjoy the theories that were shared in the book and how the young character (Ian) was guided through a world of philosophy that he yet did not know of, it made me feel like I was there learning with him. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in learning more about philosophy or to someone who is interested in learning theories, sharing ideas or fascinated by the world itself.
April 13, 2013
I must say this book was a revelation for me. Although I usually tend to be more interested in science and pragmatic, it opened an important window in my character. Now I really consider studying for a degree in philosophy. I recommend this book to anyone who has that latent curiosity hidden somewhere inside.
June 21, 2013
Read this for an early philosophy course. Raises all the familiar (101) questions but masks itself as a boy's unrealistic dreams followed by equally unreal tic conversations with his parents following them.
December 8, 2014
I liked best the text box information, which provided frequent, convenient interruptions to the regular text. Ultimately the distractions were more interesting the story. It's not better than Sophie's World.
October 3, 2016
When the professor commends the book and reviews cry "great" or "wonderful" but you are not engaged at all, well, you question yourself - but then "Cogito ergo sum" and I just didn't like it. Yes, great topics but too sophomoric.
May 20, 2007
A very existential journey that asks the big questions of life by a 14 yr old. Easy to put down and pick up by nature of chapters
April 22, 2012
Interesting book even with it being a textbook for my introductory Philosophy class. Found the text approachable and easy to follow. Plan to recommend to anyone interested in this area of study.
August 2, 2013
An amazing introduction to so many philosophical concepts. This book could turn even the most reluctant reader into a philosopher.
November 17, 2015
Wow, what a great book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews