Metaphysics isn't ordinarily much of a laughing matter. But in the hands of acclaimed comedy writer and scholar Eric Kaplan, a search for the truth about old St. Nick becomes a deeply insightful, laugh-out-loud discussion of the way some things exist but may not really be there. Just like Santa and his reindeer.
Even after we outgrow the jolly fellow, the essential paradox persists: There are some things we dearly believe in that are not universally acknowledged as real. In Does Santa Exist? Kaplan shows how philosophy giants Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein strove to smooth over this uncomfortable meeting of the real and unreal - and failed. From there he turns to mysticism's attempts to resolve such paradoxes, surveying Buddhism, Taoism, early Christianity, Theosophy and even the philosophers at UC Berkeley under whom he studied. Finally, this brilliant comic writer alights on - surprise! - comedy as the ultimate resolution of the fundamental paradoxes of life, using examples from The Big Bang Theory, Monty Python's cheese shop and many other pop-culture sources.
Kaplan delves deeper into what all this means, from how our physical brains work to his own personal confrontations with life's biggest questions: If we're all going to die, what's the point of anything? What is a perfect moment? What can you say about God? Or Santa?
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Metaphysics isn't ordinarily much of a laughing matter. But in the hands of acclaimed comedy writer and scholar Eric Kaplan, a search for the truth about old St. Nick becomes a deeply insightful, laugh-out-loud discussion of the way some things exist but may not really be there. Just like Santa and his reindeer. Even after we outgrow the jolly fellow, the essential paradox persists: There are some things we dearly believe in that are not universally acknowledged as real. In Does Santa Exist? Kaplan shows how philosophy giants Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein strove to smooth over this uncomfortable meeting of the real and unreal - and failed. From there he turns to mysticism's attempts to resolve such paradoxes, surveying Buddhism, Taoism, early Christianity, Theosophy and even the philosophers at UC Berkeley under whom he studied. Finally, this brilliant comic writer alights on - surprise! - comedy as the ultimate resolution of the fundamental paradoxes of life, using examples from The Big Bang Theory, Monty Python's cheese shop and many other pop-culture sources. Kaplan delves deeper into what all this means, from how our physical brains work to his own personal confrontations with life's biggest questions: If we're all going to die, what's the point of anything? What is a perfect moment? What can you say about God? Or Santa? A brilliantly funny philosophical investigation into the existence of Santa - from a writer of The Big Bang Theory and The Simpsons Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780349140629
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780349140629
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. BRAND NEW ** SUPER FAST SHIPPING FROM UK WAREHOUSE ** 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Seller Inventory # 9780349140629-GDR
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # b3075ee67b6a1087921b56d48dae58b3
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. A brilliantly funny philosophical investigation into the existence of Santa - from a writer of The Big Bang Theory and The Simpsons. Seller Inventory # B9780349140629
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 288 pages. 8.43x5.85x0.73 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0349140626
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 6666-HCE-9780349140629
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0349140626
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Shipped from the UK within 2 business days of order being placed. Seller Inventory # mon0000248967