Best Selling Books by Stephen Law

Summary: Philosopher Stephen Law explains why humanism--though a rejection of religion--nevertheless provides both a moral basis and a meaning for our lives.-publisher description.

Life philosophy based on Google searches Have I found ''the one''? Am I a psychopath? Should I be allowed to say whatever I want? Millions of people ask Google all sorts of questions, everything from the big and small. Responding to the biggest, existential questions asked online and using the wisdom of Plato, Kant, Kierkegaard and other philosophical greats philosopher, academic, and all-round polymath, Stephen Law, undertakes the challenge and explores our modern-day concerns with tongue-in-cheek sagacity. No matter what you’ve googled in a midnight moment of existential despair, this book will answer all your burning questions.

Is there a God, should I eat meat, where does the universe come from, could I live for ever as a robot? These are the big questions readers will be wrestling with in this thoroughly enjoyable book. Dip into any chapter and you will find lively scenarios and dialogues to take you through philosophical puzzles ancient and modern, involving virtual reality, science fiction and a host of characters from this and other planets. The text is interspersed on every page with lively cartoons, and there is a list of philosophical jargon at the end.. Stephen Law has a gift for communicating complex ideas. He offers few answers, but his unstuffy, highly personal approach will have the reader thinking and arguing with as much pleasure as he does himself.

Since the beginning of time mankind has struggled with the big questions surrounding our existence. Whilst most people have heard of Socrates, Machiavelli and Nietzsche, many are less clear on their theories and key concepts. In The Great Philosophers, bestselling author Stephen Law condenses and deciphers their fundamental ideas. Avoiding the technical jargon and complex logic associated with most books on philosophy, Law brings the thoughts of these great thinkers, from Confucius and Buddha to Wittgenstein and Sartre, to life.

From Descartes to designer babies, The Philosophy Gym poses questions about some of history''s most important philosophical issues, ranging in difficulty from pretty easy to very challenging. He brings new perspectives to age-old conundrums while also tackling modern-day dilemmas -- some for the first time. Begin your warm up by contemplating whether a pickled sheep can truly be considered art, or dive right in and tackle the existence of God. In this radically new way of looking at philosophy, Stephen Law illustrates the problem with a story, then lets the argument battle it out in clear, easily digestible and intelligent prose. This perfect little mental health club is sure to give each reader''s mind a great workout.

This title offers a witty look inside the world of ridiculous and sometimes downright dangerous belief systems, and how they suck us in.

Stephen Law follows THE PHILOSOPHY FILES with a second book of philosophical conundrums for teenagers. This time he asks such questions as Do Miracles Happen? Why Do These Words Mean Something? and Do I Know the Sun will Rise Tomorrow? You can dip into the arguments that interest you, in eight chapters where the themes are set up in witty scenarios and then debated. There are wacky thought experiments to work out and a variety of characters appear ¿ some of them Martians. As in THE PHILOSOPHY FILES, there are hundreds of lively cartoons running through the book. Stephen Law is a brilliant communicator with a passion to make young people think for themselves. As the GUARDIAN said: ''It''s philosophy in action rather than philosophy in aspic. . . a real philosophy book for kids ¿ which students and adults could enjoy too ¿ finally exists''.

- Have you ever wondered what your pet is thinking? - Or asked yourself if aliens really exist? - Have you pondered the meaning of life or tried to think about nothing, absolutely nothing at all? These are some of life''s biggest questions, and you are a daring thinker for even thinking about them! So open your mind and prepare to explore some of philosophy''s biggest, boldest ideas - from the ridiculously silly to the strikingly serious. Each question in Really Big Questions for Daring Thinkers will unlock new ways of thinking and may lead you to some intriguing answers. If you''re daring enough to take on this mind-expanding challenge, then read on! Written by philosopher Dr Stephen Law, easy-to-understand text, mind-teasers, optical illusions and thought experiments make this philosophic journey unforgettably fun!

Covering not only the history of Western thought, but also the traditions of Eastern philosophy and schools of thought from the Indian subcontinent, Eyewitness Companions: Philosophy combines philosophical analysis with historical and biographical information to explain and explore the major issues, theories, and problems at the heart of all philosophies. Eyewitness Companions: Philosophy combines metaphysics, epistemology, logic, the philosophy of religion, andethics Introduces the metaphors, analogies, and stories philosophers use to explain theories.

A philosophical but fun look at the meanings of Christmas myths and rituals, from carving the turkey to why Santa wears red. Picture the scene: Aunt Gertrude has just given you the most appalling Christmas tie, complete with snow-flecked kittens in a bowler hat. Do you smile, nod, and confine it to the bottom drawer? Or do you tell the truth and spare yourself future ties from hell? Kant would say that we must, at all costs, tell the truth - whilst Mill would insist that we should think of the consequences. THE XMAS FILES is a philosophical meander though the myths and rituals of Christmas today, asking such important questions as does Santa exist? What''s wrong with Christmas kitsch? Is it all just a commercial racket? What was Augustine''s attitude to ''peace on earth''? And what would David Hume have to say about the virgin birth? For underneath all the festive fun, the way we celebrate Christmas does raise serious questions about the beliefs that sustain us, and the ways in which we still value ritual and tradition as a means of coming together.

Behind headlines on the conflict in Iraq and global terrorism, a much deeper battle is raging over children and the values they should adopt. Political and religious leaders including Blair and Bush have been joined by the popular press in Enlightenment-bashing and bitter attacks on `liberal parenting calling for a return to authority and religious tradition. How do we raise good children? How do we make good citizens? In defiant yet acute fashion, Stephen Law urges us to re-evaluate the liberal tradition of thinking about morality. Tackling authoritarian rhetoric head-on, he argues that children should learn about right and wrong, and respect for others, but that their education should be grounded in the hard-won values of the Enlightenment. Taking on neo-conservatives and religious and media commentators, The War for Children‘s Minds is a candid and controversial call for a liberal, philosophically informed approach to raising children. A staunch defence of the humane, liberal life, The War for Children‘s Minds is a much-needed guide to an urgent moral conundrum.

Tucked away in her tattoo studio in the port city of Halifax, Shaz draws meaning and symbolism onto the bodies of her clients. After the ransacking of her home, the brutal attack on her friend and the sudden appearance of her white father, Shaz is compelled to explore the racial divides in her life and in the city around her. A chance encounter with Rashid, a parkour-performing refugee from Sri Lanka, provides a stabilizing counterpoint to the tumultuous relationships in her life. Ultimately, Shaz discovers the complexities of truth, the meaning of loss and how we are all coloured by our experiences. In a narrative that explores racism, family dysfunction and the experiences of refugees, Under Her Skin paints the canvas of our landscape, making us aware of who we are.

A full-colour illustrated tour through philosophy''s most famous – and most mind-bending – ideas I Think Therefore I Am, Existentialism, Dialectical Materialism? The Socratic Method and Deconstruction? Sure, you know what they all mean. That is, you''ve certainly heard of them. But do you know enough about them to join a dinner party debate or dazzle the bar with your knowledge? 30-SECOND PHILOSOPHIES takes a revolutionary approach to getting a grip on the 50 most significant schools of philosophy. The book challenges leading thinkers to quit fretting about the meaning of meaning for a while and explain the most complex philosophical ideas – using nothing more than two pages, 300 words, and a metaphorical image. Here, in one unique volume, you have the chance to pick the potted brains of our leading philosophers and understand complex concepts such as Kant''s Categorical Imperative without ending up in a darkened room with an ice pack on your head.

An introduction to philosophy which uses clear analogies to explore some of life''s biggest moral and scientific questions, including the origins of the universe and the meaning of life.

A corrupt mining company, repossessed gravestones, a man’s fractured past, mysterious notes posted to lampposts and murder deep in the highlands of Guatemala. In Tailings of Warren Peace, Stephen Law effortlessly weaves these elements into a powerful story of love and memory, exploring how the past haunts us and how solidarity can save us all. Mysterious, passionate and powerful, Tailings of Warren Peace shows us the interconnections that exist between us, transcending social class, culture and geography.

This book is filled with zany examples of imaginative scenarios that would leave Plato scratching his head. Stephen Law takes you through some of the toughest philosophical questions. Each chapter tackles a truth-seeking question that has stumped humankind since the beginning of time... Now it''s your turn to attempt these puzzles and test your ideas! Book jacket.

Stephen Law''s dream job had him working in the nation''s best environmenta " its forests. Raised on a farm in rural Maine, Stephen became a civil engineer for the U.S. Forest Service, and A Forest Environment was written from his experiences. He loved the woods and the animals that lived there, hunted, fished and loved to camp and explore. In a chronicle spanning two generations, Stephen shares his adventures in the wild, as well as the insights of his father, a veteran of the Maine woods, in the early 1900s, working for the paper industry. Join Stephen as he comes face-to-face with a bear for the first time, catches 22 trout on 22 casts and hunts mountain goats. Traveling all the way from the woods of Maine to the forests of Alaska, Stephen learns how engineers for the U.S. Forest Service built roads and bridges so the forest resources could be managed to meet the needs of the greatest number of people in the long run. He shares these lessons of the twentieth century with readers of the twenty-first century in an intimate and humorous story-telling style. Advocates of maintaining our nation''s forests, casual outdoor enthusiasts, and those completely new to the idea of ''the great outdoors'' will discover the charm and wonder to be found in A Forest Environment. Pack your camping gear and get your fishing rod and hunting rifle because A Forest Environment is going to take you on an adventure of a lifetime. ''Whether your interest is forestry, fishing, or geography, you will find much to enjoy in A Forest Environment. Steve Law, retired USFS engineer, shares his many years of work experience in the forests of the United States, and he does so with humor and telling insights. A bonus in this volume is his father''s diary recounting his own years of work in the woods of Maine. This is a captivating book.'' Vaughn & Phoebe Hardesty, New Gloucester, Maine"

It now seems certain that our planet is warming. Is it the result of human activity and if so how do we combat it? This reasoned and reasonable guide helps to clarify the controversial issues and the way forward. An accessible guide to climate change that not only gives reasonable answers to the big questions surrounding the issue, but also takes us inside the corridors of power and the basements of the United Nations, where countries are engaged in a game of climate-change poker. For the individual, wondering whether to sell their seaside property or invest in a small wind-farm, this book offers sensible answers. It gives us the best and worst case scenarios and sets out how we can each address this contentious but vital issue.

Stephen Law follows THE PHILOSOPHY FILES with a second book of philosophical conundrums for teenagers. This time he asks such questions as Do Miracles Happen? Why Do These Words Mean Something? and Do I Know the Sun will Rise Tomorrow? You can dip into the arguments that interest you, in eight chapters where the themes are set up in witty scenarios and then debated. There are wacky thought experiments to work out and a variety of characters appear - some of them Martians. As in THE PHILOSOPHY FILES, there are hundreds of lively cartoons running through the book. Stephen Law is a brilliant communicator with a passion to make young people think for themselves. As the GUARDIAN said: ''It''s philosophy in action rather than philosophy in aspic. . . a real philosophy book for kids - which students and adults could enjoy too - finally exists''.

What am I made of? How do I know I''m real?Will I still be the same person at eighty? Following up on the success of Really, Really Big Questions, and Really, Really Big Questions About God, Faith, and Religion here comes an entertaining book that explores the important, weird, and sometimes metaphysical questions that children have about themselves. From the physical—Why do I like chocolate? How does my brain work? —to the philosophical—Is my memory what makes me? Is there life after death? —Really, Really Big Questions About Me and my Body by Stephen Law, illustrated by Marc Aspinall takes on the deeper questions that come with growing self-awareness. Throughout it all, humorous writing, funky art, and fun features like optical illusions, amusing stories, quotes, and mind-teasers keep it light and make this philosophic journey unforgettably interesting.

Provides answers to question about human existence and the human body, such as how does the brain work and how do people see; and includes illustrations, brainteasers, and quotations.

From the team that brought us Really, Really, Really Big Questions and Really, Really Big Questions About Space and Time, comes another book that answers Really, Really Big Questions about Religion and Faith. An unusual and fun introduction to the philosophy, ethics and meaning behind different kinds of belief. It explores tricky, strange and often unanswered questions such as Do miracles really happen? What do gods look like? Do all religions have a rule book? and How do things become sacred? Expand your spiritual knowledge!

Helps you examine the ideas and traditions of Western and Eastern thought. This work teaches you to understand the major issues, theories and problems at the heart of philosophy. It also addresses such questions as - Where do we come from? What is the per.