Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar

Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes

By: Thomas Cathcart, Daniel Klein

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein, longtime philosophers and comedians, present Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar, an entertaining, enlightening, and engaging guide to the love of wisdom. With their combined knowledge, wit, and whimsy, the authors provide a book that can be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone, from the curious layman to the most well-versed professor of Nicomachean Ethics.

©2007 Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein (P)2004 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"I laughed, I learned, I loved it!" (Roy Blount Jr.)

Short and humorous look at the philosophies

A lighthearted and simple view into philosophy. A good source for some corny jokes. Although most of them are old, there were a few that I’m saving.

Skipped The End

I loved the book until they skipped the actual end. There's about another 10 pages in the physical book with one of my favorite jokes in the book. Otherwise it was really good.

Witty, entertaining and educational

You will find that the reader's comedic timing may not be perfect; the philosophical concepts snipped in brevity and perhaps a bit incomplete.. You may find some of the jokes target theism and other beliefs that if you hold too closely or restrict your views too narrowly then offense may follow. You may also find some of the jokes a bit lame regardless of target.. but that's comedy. In the end, if you are like me, you will find it entertaining, somewhat thought provoking and best served in rations of a chapter or so at a time. All in all though its a worthwhile experience unless you are callused, closed off or easily offended in which case it may be preferable to stick with the tepid waters of preacher humor for your comedy and the pablum of Strobel for your philosophy. For all others, its a fun ride.

You'll laugh your Sartre off

You'll laugh, You'll cry, You'll laugh and cry while you wiki search names of philosophers you never, ever heard of before and don't know how to spell. And Johnny Heller is awesome. I've decided he will be the new sound of the voice in my head. You will learn a lot and be entertained a lot. It is the only book ever that I felt both dumber and smarter for listening. Or maybe I was already dumb and smart in the first place. Or maybe I never was at all. Or maybe I can just go for a good knish. Get it, you won't regret it.

Sophmoric

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

50/50. I liked the intro to philosophy and concepts but I just felt like the book was written by a bunch of college frat boys who associate everything with some kind of sexual reference as if it was the only thing people could relate to.

What could Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Change their jokes!

Would you listen to another book narrated by Johnny Heller?

Yes.

Do you think Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

If they were going to delve deeper into the content, sure. If not, no.

Slightly interesting, and almost incredible!

Unlike many books on here. this book has earned its slightly above average rating. Bravo!

Very entertaining!

I love philosophy! This book would be enjoyable to those who wouldn't normally choose a philosophy book to read. It's a fun way to introduce yourself to philosophy...you'll likely become a fan! 😀

Some funny stuff and some flat stuff

Initially the humor fit the philosophy, eventually the humor did not fit the philosophy, nor was it humorous.

Hilariously serious

Makes you think fast and laugh out loud! Quite clever and made me feel light and joyful while embracing such a dense topic.

Great Content, Annoying Voice

Any additional comments?

I've read this book before and it's been one of my favorites for a while now. Unfortunately, the audiobook didn't quite meet the high standard set by the book itself. Although the content was all there, I found it extremely hard to get past the fact that the narrator's voice is annoying as hell.