Jostein Gaarder
From Philosopedia
Gaarder, Jostein (1952— )
A Norwegian, Gaarder is author of “a novel about the history of philosophy” called Sophie’s World (1995), one which in 1996 had sold nine million copies in thirty-six languages by offering philosophy without tears.
The work begins 2,600 years ago and ends in the late 1800s. Jim Herrick found the work has “a humanist outlook” and “is difficult to put down.” Herrick found that in the first lesson we learn that “[t]he aim of the early Greek philosophers was to find natural, rather than supernatural, explanations for natural processes.” The concluding instruction covers Darwin, Freud, and the “Big Bang.” A clear understanding of rationalism is in place: while considering early Greek philosophy, it is indicated that “a rationalist is someone who believes that human reason is the primary source of our knowledge of the world.” Descartes’s rationalism is also recounted: “The more self-evident a thing is to one’s reason, the more certain is that it exists.” The work was written to intrigue and enlighten youngsters who like their fiction embedded in philosophy, Herrick added, and for adults who like their philosophy laced with fiction.
As to whether or not Gaarder is a naturalist in philosophy, Finngeir Hiorth, a Norwegian humanist leader, says there is insufficient evidence.
List of Works
- Diagnosen og andre noveller (The Diagnosis and Other Stories) (1986)
- Froskeslottet (The Frog Castle) (1988)
- Kabalmysteriet (The Solitaire Mystery) (1990)
- Sofies verden (Sophie's World) (1991)
- Julemysteriet (The Christmas Mystery) (1992)
- Bibbi Bokkens magiske bibliotek (Bibbi Bokkens magic library) (1993)
- I et speil, i en gåte (Through a Glass, Darkly) (1993)
- Hallo? Er det noen her? (Hello? Is Anybody There?) (1996)
- Vita Brevis (Brief Life) (also appeared in English as That Same Flower) (1996) *Maya (1999) *Sirkusdirektørens datter (The Ringmaster's Daughter) (2001) *Appelsinpiken (The Orange Girl) (2004)
