Sophie's World

The first book I read that changed my view of my own mind, that is, taught me to "think about thinking", was Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. I truly felt like my view of myself and the world I live in changed dramatically.

on HN, 2019

I'd question that it's the "best" if you read it as an adult (though it's probably still good), but I feel like Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder (which I read as a child / young teen) has influenced me and my outlook on the world more than maybe any other book I've ever read since.

on HN, 2024

It's a great book that takes you on a whirlwind tour of the most famous philosophers and their thoughts. What's more, it's woven into a suspense novel, so it keeps you reading!

on HN, 2010

Sophie's World is a fun novel and a map of the historical development of philosophy.

on HN, 2010

I put GEB in the same mental box as Sophie's World or the Mr. Tompkins books, where story is used as a means to the end of teaching something to an audience that would otherwise find the material unpalatable.

on HN, 2024

Sophie's World is by far the best introduction to philosophy that you can read. It's presented in a narrative and the lessons are in conversation form. The plot is really good-- it goes very meta at the end.

on HN, 2010

I like reading Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. It is an introduction to philosophy in an interesting way.

on HN, 2024