Chapter 2 The Top Hat NOTES

11th Grade: Philosophy Class

Chapter 2: The Top Hat

...the only thing we require to be good philosophy is the faculty of wonder...

NOTES:

• Sophie decided not to tell anyone about the letters for the time being. page 12
• At school Sophie couldn't concentrate on ewhat the teachers said. They seemed to talk about unimportant things.
• She opened the mailbox and there was a big brown envelopes for her mother but the other one had Sophie's name on it. page 13
• On the back of the envelope read: Course in Philosophy. Handle with care. Sohpie ran to the den. page 13
• Inside the envelope was three typewritten pages held together with a paper climp. page 13
• What is Philosophy? page 14
• Lots of people have hobbies. Some collect coins or others play sports. Is there nothing that interest us all? page 14
• There are quesions that certainly should interest everyone. What is the most important thing in life? example: if you ask someone living on the edge of stravation, the answer is food. page 14
• People who ask such questions are taking part in a debate that has gone on as long as man has lived on this planet.
• The best way of approaching philosophy is to ask a few philosophical questions: How was the world created? Is there any will or meaning behind what happens? Is there life after death? page 15
• A Greek Philosopher who lived more than two thousand years ago believed that philosophy had its origin in man's sense of wonder. page 15
• As far as the white rabbit is concerned, it might be better to compare with the whole universe. We who live here are microscopic insects existing deep down in the rabbits fur. But philosophers are always trying to climb up the fine hairs of the fur in order to stare right into the magician's eyes. page 16
• A Strange Creature: The only thing we require to be good philosophers is the faculty of wonder. Babies have this faculty. page 17
• My concern is that you do not grow up to be one of those people who take the world for granted. page 18
• To be more prescise: althought philosophical questions concern us all we do not all become philosophyers. page 19
• So now you must choose, Sophie. Are you a child who has not yet become world- weary? Or are you a philosopher who will vow never to become so? page 20
• Sophie's starts to ask her mother questions the philosopher asked her page 21.