Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes

This New York Times bestseller with a recently refreshed look is the hilarious, insightful philosophy course everyone wishes they'd had in school

"[Cathcart and Klein] know their stuff and wear their learnedness lightly, and Plato and a Platypus is a pleasure to read . . . I can't help but love this book, and I have been quoting liberally from it." --Philosophy Now

Outrageously funny, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar has been a breakout bestseller ever since authors--and born vaudevillians--Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein did their schtick on NPR's Weekend Edition.

Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar is a not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical thinkers and traditions, from existentialism (What do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?) to logic (Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything).

Philosophy 101 for those who like to take the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to read--and finally, it all makes sense!

"A hoot." --Times Literary Supplement

"What happens when you mix corny jokes, one-liners and vaudeville humor with some of life's great lessons? You get an extraordinary read you'll want to share with as many people as possible." --Orlando Sentinel

"The zaniest bestseller of the year." --Boston Globe

"I laughed, I learned, I loved it." --Roy Blount Jr.

Tom Cathcart (1869-2024) and Daniel Klein pursued the usual careers after majoring in philosophy at Harvard. Cathcart worked as a Chicago city bus driver, a probation officer, a junior college teacher, a Blue Cross executive, a hospice worker, and a hospital administrator. Klein has written many books, ranging from thrillers and mysteries to his well-known humorous books about philosophy. Together, they are bestselling authors of the politically incorrect book of daily affirmations, Macho Meditations, and the bestseller Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes. Cathcart unfortunately passed away in 2024.