The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten : And Ninety Nine Other Thought Experiments

About this book

Julian Baggini presents 100 of the most interesting thought experiments: short scenarios which pose a problem in a vivid and concrete way and invites the reader to think about possible answers for him/herself. Experiments cover identity religion art ethics language knowledge and many more. In every case Baggini sets the problem up for the reader and then offers some ways of approaching it. There are rarely right or wrong answers (though some answers are better than others) but the real point is in the exploration of the question. From Zenos paradox to Groundhog Day (how do you make sense of a life of eternal recurrence?) via the pig that wants to be eaten (so should you eat him?) Platos cave Minority Report (is it right to punish people for what they are going to do but havent yet done?) and an American Werewolf in London (how can we tell whether we are awake or dreaming?) this book makes philosophy not only mind-stretching but also entertaining.