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Can a Robot be Human?

33 Perplexing Philosophy Puzzles

Published by Oneworld Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

The philosophers’ Does Anything Eat Wasps?

In this book of puzzles and paradoxes, Peter Cave introduces some of life's most important questions with tales and tall stories, reasons and arguments, common sense and bizarre conclusions. From how to get to heaven, to speedy tortoises, paradoxes and puzzles give rise to some of the most exciting problems in philosophy - from logic to ethics and from art to politics. Illustrated with quirky cartoons throughout, "Can a Robot be human" takes the reader on a taster tour of the most interesting and delightful parts of philosophy. This title is for everyone who puzzles about the world.

About The Author

Writer and broadcaster Peter Cave teaches philosophy for The Open University and City University London. Author of the bestselling Can A Robot Be Human?, he chairs the Humanist Philosophers’ Group, frequently contributes to philosophy journals and magazines, from the academic to the popular, and has presented several philosophy programmes for the BBC. He lives in London.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Oneworld Publications (September 13, 2007)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781780740089

Raves and Reviews

"A chirpy introduction to philosophy through thought-experiments and paradoxes."

– The Guardian

"The book introduces some of life's most important questions with tales and tall stories, reasons and arguments, common sense and bizarre conclusions."

– UCL Alumni Webpage

"Lightly written, but definitely no dumbing down. A simulating read, the subject ranges wide and far."

– Publishing News

"With its wonderful varied selection of topics, plus Cave’s admirable lightness of touch, this is one of the most entertaining and thought provoking books I’ve come across in years. So stop messing around with trivia like Sudoku and give your brain a real treat by buying this book."

– Focus Magazine

"This is a chirpy introduction to philosophy through thought-experiments and paradoxes."

– The Guardian

"The examples are engaging and wittily explained, and enhanced by amusing cartoons"

– The Good Book Guide

"The book continues to be unputdownable"

– Philosophy Now

"Peter Cave's lively new book is full of arresting ideas, brow-creasing conundrums, persistent puzzles, and pleasing paradoxes. It is ideal reading for open and inquiring minds from 12 to 112-- in fact for everybody who is just dipping a toe into philosophy for the first time."

– Timothy Chappell - Professor of Philosophy, The Open University

Peter Cave’s Can a Robot Be Human? is entertaining, witty, and highly readable. A most enjoyable and illuminating read.

– Michael Clark - Editor of Analysis and Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Nottingham

With skill and good humour, Peter Cave guides the reader through a maze of intriguing philosophical puzzles.

– Laurence Goldstein - Professor of Philosophy, University of Kent

'A must-read book'

– Imre Leader - Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge

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More books from this author: Peter Cave