Looking At Philosophy

Donald Palmer's book 'Looking At Philosophy: The Unbearable Heaviness of Philosophy Made Lighter' (402 pp) is a very helpful intro to the history of Western thought. This book is hard to review because of its comprehensive scope. The author has a good sense of humor, which makes the book easy to get through. He is a good teacher, making some of the somewhat abstract ideas in philosophy understandable, while not dumbing it down too much. This book is filled with drawings to help illustrate (usually in a very sarcastic manner) the truths being taught. The only downside is that Palmer is pretty antagonistic towards Christianity. Instead of a review, I would just commend the study of philosophy (and theology) to all, but pastors in particular. Those practically minded who chide the abstract-minded should be careful that they don't cut the very rope they are walking on. Ideas have consequences. Just as theology informs methodology, so theory informs practice. While the average person in the pew may have never read Derrida, Foucault, or Rorty, they do watch shows such as Oprah and are much more influenced by these thinkers than they realize. It is good to be aware of where ideas come from.