Big Ideas for Curious Minds

Regular price $ 29.99

by The School of Life, edited by Alain de Botton, illustrated by Anna Doherty

The School of Life

9/3/2019, hardcover

SKU: 9781999747145

Children are, in many ways, born philosophers. Without prompting, they ask some of the largest questions about time, mortality, happiness and the meaning of it all. Yet too often this inborn curiosity is not developed and, with age, the questions fall away. This is a book designed to harness children's spontaneous philosophical instinct and to develop it through introductions to some of the most vibrant and essential philosophical ideas of history.

Reviews:

Featured in The Guardian's Best Children's Books of 2018: "Our pick was Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy - a plain-speaking guide to philosophers, what matters and how to deal with things. A nine-year-old of my acquaintance was struck by a Mary Wollstonecraft idea - "why we hate cheap things" - about rarity and value." - The Guardian

"The first book for children from The School of Life seeks to connect young readers to influential thinkers ... The volume distills "big ideas" from 25 heavy-hitting philosophers ... into simple precepts. Each idea sits in a dedicated chapter, presented in a conversational style ... and explained with accessible scenarios. A useful ... introduction to emotional intelligence via philosophical thought." - Publishers Weekly

"An eye-opening introduction to philosophy for young readers ... the book makes great ideas accessible without watering them down, showing confidence in its audience's ability to wrestle with real questions. Within Big Ideas for Curious Minds, philosophy isn't useless, boring, or just for grownups; it's vibrant and full of wisdom for preteens and young teens, too." - Foreword Reviews

Author:

The School of Life is a global organization helping people lead more fulfilled lives. It is a resource for helping us understand ourselves, for improving our relationships, our careers, and our social lives--as well as for helping us find calm and get more out of our leisure hours. They do this through films, workshops, books, and gifts--and through a warm and supportive community. You can find The School of Life online, in stores and in welcoming spaces around the globe.

The School of Life Press was established in 2016 to bring together over a decade of research and insights from The School of Life's content team. Led by founder and series editor Alain de Botton, this is a library to educate, entertain, console, and transform us.