PLATO AND A PLATYPUS WALK INTO A BAR Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes

Cathcart and Klein, both Harvard graduates in philosophy, have put together a book that illustrates major philosophical ideas with jokes--what the authors call "philogagging." Of course, it's not really about understanding existentialism or Kant's categorical imperative--it's about the jokes. Some are groaners, to be sure, but most are genuinely funny, and several will make you laugh out loud, thanks to the delivery of Johnny Heller, who also does work as stand-up comic. In particular, there are a lot of Jewish and Irish jokes, though none are likely to offend. Heller's accents are uneven, but he knows how to deliver a gag with just the right timing. As Socrates said when he drank the hemlock--this stuff slays me. D.B. 2008 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 08]