Half-knowledge, half-understanding: World-class interesting philosophy

Author: Meng Yunjian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Can a person step into the same river twice? What secrets lie hidden in Plato's Garden of Wisdom? Why is Descartes' skepticism truly undeniable? Does the distortion of time and space, or the journey through past and future stem from philosophical thinking? Who can unravel Laozi's "The Tao gives birth to one; one gives birth to two"? During an unusual vacation, a maze of thought, several protagonists are swept into a storm of ideas. From ancient Greece to existentialism, from Socrates to Kant, from Marx to Freud, from Zhuangzi to Cao Xueqin, the fundamental questions pondered by these philosophers and wise men unfold before the protagonists. They can only rely on their innate talents and thinking to join the quest of the sages, unraveling one mysterious puzzle after another, gradually stepping into the world of philosophy. Here, thinking becomes the only game, and also the only path to escape this maze of thought. Kant said: The purpose of thinking is not objective knowledge, but a kind of confidence within the realm of objective knowledge. If after reading this book, it awakens some of your thoughts and allows you to view the familiar world—with special emphasis on your own—with new eyes, then this is the greatest reward of this book. Philosophy is easy to explain in depth but difficult to simplify; to explain it in plain, engaging language is even more challenging. Using stories to teach philosophy, and conveying wisdom through simple language, though not without precedent, this book stands out as a masterpiece. The author's effortless mastery of the subject is truly commendable. May readers ponder philosophy in the joy of learning, and find joy in philosophy through learning! — Associate Professor Xing Taotao, Peking University
Nowadays, research-based learning is being promoted to middle school students, emphasizing the cultivation of their thinking abilities. And philosophy is the foundation of thinking methods. This book teaches you the fundamental methods of philosophy, allowing you to apply them in learning, daily life, thinking, and analyzing problems. — Professor Jia Hongfei, Peking University
This is a book filled with wisdom. Once readers enter the philosophical maze of this book, they will undoubtedly be filled with continuous amazement, much like Aristotle. Philosophy is the most interesting subject and the beginning of many disciplines, containing the entire mystery of human wisdom. However, it has always appeared mysterious and profound, so how can people "fall in love with wisdom"? Sophie's World systematically narrates the history of philosophy, winning the favor of readers worldwide. But how to present the essence and methods of philosophy in a way that is accessible to all ages has become an awe-inspiring challenge. Half-Known, Half-Solved blends knowledge, thinking, adventure, and puzzle-solving, transforming the profound and obscure philosophical ideas from ancient Greece and ancient China into engaging stories. It is neither purely philosophical in flavor nor overly difficult, allowing readers to effortlessly turn philosophical thinking into powerful analytical skills. Philosophy is not the exclusive domain of the wise but a thinking tool that everyone should master. This book is like Plato's Garden of Wisdom, offering every seeker of knowledge the joy and wisdom they deserve.