Skip to content

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher Paperback - 2002

by Nicholas Fearn

For those who don't know the difference between Lucretius's spear and Hume's fork, "Zeno and the Tortoise" explains not just who each philosopher was, but exactly how he came to think in the way he did. Fearn presents philosophy as a collection of tools--the tricks of a trade that, in the end, might just be all tricks.


From the publisher

For those who don't know the difference between Lucretius's spear and Hume's fork, Zeno and the Tortoise explains not just who each philosopher was and what he thought, but exactly how he came to think in the way he did. Nicholas Fearn presents philosophy as a collection of tools -- the tricks of a trade that, in the end, might just be all tricks, each to be fruitfully applied to a variety of everyday predicaments. In a witty and engaging style that incorporates everything from Sting to cell phones to Bill Gates, Fearn demystifies the ways of thought that have shaped and inspired humanity -- among many others, the Socratic method, Descartes's use of doubt, Bentham's theory of utilitarianism, Rousseau's social contract, and, of course, the concept of common sense. Along the way, there are fascinating biographical snippets about the philosophers themselves: the story of Thales falling down a well while studying the stars, and of Socrates being told by a face-reader that his was the face of a monster who was capable of any crime. Written in twenty-five short chapters, each readable during the journey to work, Zeno and the Tortoise is the ideal course in intellectual self-defense. Acute, often irreverent, but always authoritative, this is a unique introduction to the ideas that have shaped us all. Entertaining and witty. A smooth, sweet concoction that should tickle the taste buds of the most philosophobic readers. -- Julian Boggini, The Times Educational Supplement (U.K.) A concise and entertaining attempt to place the skills of philosophy at our fingertips. -- Olivier Burckhardt, The Independent on Sunday (U.K.)

First line

In the summer of 1999, Cornell University published research purporting to show that love really is a drug.

Details

  • Title Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher
  • Author Nicholas Fearn
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition First Trade Pape
  • Pages 208
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Atlantic Monthly Press, New York
  • Date 2002-04-11
  • Features Bibliography, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780802139177 / 0802139175
  • Weight 0.51 lbs (0.23 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.26 x 5.54 x 0.54 in (20.98 x 14.07 x 1.37 cm)
  • Themes
    • Ethnic Orientation: Multicultural
  • Library of Congress subjects Philosophy
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2001056491
  • Dewey Decimal Code 100

Media reviews

Citations

  • Publishers Weekly, 04/01/2002, Page 65
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Used - Good
Edition
First Trade Paper
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$3.90
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Atlantic Monthly Press. First Trade Paper. Good. Good. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
$3.90
FREE shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.45
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Atlantic Monthly Press. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp.
Item Price
$4.45
$3.99 shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Fine.
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Derwood, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.71
$4.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
New York, NY: Atlantic Monthly Press. 2002. Trade paperback. Fine.. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 193 p. Audience: General/trade. . No previous owner's name. Clean, tight pages. No bent corners. .
Item Price
$4.71
$4.99 shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise : How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise : How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.00
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$5.00
FREE shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.15
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Atlantic Monthly Press, 2002-04-11. paperback. Good. 5x0x8.
Item Price
$5.15
FREE shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise:  How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
$4.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
New York: Grove Press, 2002. 193 pgs. Minimal underlining early chapters. Used Bargain. Trade Paperback. Very Good.
Item Price
$5.99
$4.99 shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.02
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Atlantic Monthly Press, 2002. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.02
FREE shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise : How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise : How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.66
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$6.66
FREE shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Nicholas Fearn

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.41
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Atlantic Monthly Press, 2002-04-11. Paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$7.41
FREE shipping to USA
Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zeno and the Tortoise: How to Think Like a Philosopher

by Fearn, Nicholas

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780802139177
ISBN 10
0802139175
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$10.52
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Atlantic Monthly Press, 2002-04-11. paperback. New. 5x0x8.
Item Price
$10.52
FREE shipping to USA