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The Philosopher's Table: How to Start Your Philosophy Dinner Club - Monthly Conversation, Music, and Reci pes
"Talk doesn't cook rice." —Chinese Proverb
According to Socrates, knowledge is "food for the soul." That's all well and good for the Socratic but, according to Maslow, food for the stomach is a far more pressing matter.
But why can't you have your talk, and cook rice too? With The Philosopher's Table, Marietta McCarty shows you that you can. In this book, you will find all of the necessary ingredients to start a Philosophy Dinner Club, taking a monthly tour around the world with friends to sample hors d'oeuvres of succulent wisdom and fill your plate with food from each philosophers' home country. With recipes, theories, and insights both old and new—all peppered with McCarty's charming and informative prose—you and your friends will:
—Enjoy fresh, homemade tzatziki, lamb meatballs, and the simple pleasures of life while walking in Epicurus's ancient Greek garden.
—Acknowledge the difference between spiritual and physical hunger (and satisfy both) with Medjool dates with cheese and honey and wisdom from Iraq's Abu Hamid Muhammed al-Ghazali.
—Learn about rational decision-making with a mouthfull of bratwurst from Germany's Immanuel Kant
—In the spirit of accepting change, ditch the familiar take-out containers and dine on homemade shrimp dumplings with China's Lao Tzu.
—And much more!
Complete with McCarty's recommendations for ethnic music from each region to enjoy during your gatherings and discussion questions to prompt debate, The Philosopher's Table contains everything you need to leave your host's home brimming with both nutritional and mental satisfaction.
According to Socrates, knowledge is "food for the soul." That's all well and good for the Socratic but, according to Maslow, food for the stomach is a far more pressing matter.
But why can't you have your talk, and cook rice too? With The Philosopher's Table, Marietta McCarty shows you that you can. In this book, you will find all of the necessary ingredients to start a Philosophy Dinner Club, taking a monthly tour around the world with friends to sample hors d'oeuvres of succulent wisdom and fill your plate with food from each philosophers' home country. With recipes, theories, and insights both old and new—all peppered with McCarty's charming and informative prose—you and your friends will:
—Enjoy fresh, homemade tzatziki, lamb meatballs, and the simple pleasures of life while walking in Epicurus's ancient Greek garden.
—Acknowledge the difference between spiritual and physical hunger (and satisfy both) with Medjool dates with cheese and honey and wisdom from Iraq's Abu Hamid Muhammed al-Ghazali.
—Learn about rational decision-making with a mouthfull of bratwurst from Germany's Immanuel Kant
—In the spirit of accepting change, ditch the familiar take-out containers and dine on homemade shrimp dumplings with China's Lao Tzu.
—And much more!
Complete with McCarty's recommendations for ethnic music from each region to enjoy during your gatherings and discussion questions to prompt debate, The Philosopher's Table contains everything you need to leave your host's home brimming with both nutritional and mental satisfaction.
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2013
1 person is currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 18, 2013
A dinner party book by a professional philosopher who writes pop philosophy. If you enjoy hosting intelligent dinner parties, then this is the book for you. That the author has over two decades of experience teaching philosophy in and out of academia and also enlisted a host of chefs and musicologists makes for a tidy little guide that's certain to satiate both bodies and mind.
The target audience of this book is amateurs in the best sense of the word. If you love to cook well and talk smart, then you will love McCarty's little book. However, if you think that bridging humanitarianism/activism with philosophy "dumbs down" the latter, then you're a party pooper who should not be allowed outside of a classroom or academic blog. Or if your philosophy of choice is nihilism and food to you is anything deep-fried, move along.
Each chapter is arranged uniformly: a general introduction to the concept and country is presented using anecdotal accounts, followed by a summary of the thinker's life and contribution to the world and then a few suggestions for music and relevant books and films. And then the recipes. Each recipe is designed to serve roughly 8 hungry people and ingredients and portions may be adjusted with ease.
McCarty also provides a single conversational prompt in each chapter. It is not necessary for each diner to have a copy of McCarty's book but having everyone read something from a given month's thinker would be ideal.
The recipes are all solid. Philosophers featured range from the obvious (Epicurus, Kant, Bertrand Russell, Suzuki, Lao Tse, Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali) to the surprising (bell hooks, Wangari Maathai, [Aung San Suu Kyi], Jane Addams). Overall, a good mix along the contemporary/classical and gender fault lines.
For what it is—a set of prompts and pointers to worthwhile thinkers and good party tips—The Philosopher's Table passes with flying colors. This is a fun book that will help you have fun with your philosophically-minded / foodie friends.
Minus one star for lack of index.
Review copy received through the GoodReads First Reads program.
The target audience of this book is amateurs in the best sense of the word. If you love to cook well and talk smart, then you will love McCarty's little book. However, if you think that bridging humanitarianism/activism with philosophy "dumbs down" the latter, then you're a party pooper who should not be allowed outside of a classroom or academic blog. Or if your philosophy of choice is nihilism and food to you is anything deep-fried, move along.
Each chapter is arranged uniformly: a general introduction to the concept and country is presented using anecdotal accounts, followed by a summary of the thinker's life and contribution to the world and then a few suggestions for music and relevant books and films. And then the recipes. Each recipe is designed to serve roughly 8 hungry people and ingredients and portions may be adjusted with ease.
McCarty also provides a single conversational prompt in each chapter. It is not necessary for each diner to have a copy of McCarty's book but having everyone read something from a given month's thinker would be ideal.
The recipes are all solid. Philosophers featured range from the obvious (Epicurus, Kant, Bertrand Russell, Suzuki, Lao Tse, Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali) to the surprising (bell hooks, Wangari Maathai, [Aung San Suu Kyi], Jane Addams). Overall, a good mix along the contemporary/classical and gender fault lines.
For what it is—a set of prompts and pointers to worthwhile thinkers and good party tips—The Philosopher's Table passes with flying colors. This is a fun book that will help you have fun with your philosophically-minded / foodie friends.
Minus one star for lack of index.
Review copy received through the GoodReads First Reads program.
September 3, 2019
This was a pretty good introductory philosophy book. The book is broken down into 12 months (12 chapters) with a different philosopher for each month. Each chapter begins with the author's personal stories and anecdotes pertaining to the key concepts that that (double that!) month's philosopher brings to the table (dinner table that is). Then the salient points or main themes of that month's philosopher are discussed in a very brief four to six pages. These parts of the book could have easily been double in size in my opinion. At the end of each chapter are suggestions for experiencing the culture of the chosen philosopher's country through music, film, landmarks, etc., and 2 to 3 recipes to prepare for your monthly philosophy dinner party. The author even gives a little background information on the signifigance of each dish or why it was chosen for that particular philosopher. The recipes in the book do look delicious and I might have to try making one...or two...or three...
Goodreads giveaways review.
Goodreads giveaways review.
July 22, 2014
Have always loved the study of philosophy or a good philosophical discussion. This book provides more than enough food for thought and discussion. I didn't mean this as a pun, because it is in fact divided into 12 chapters each covering the main tenets of a philosopher with suggestions for an accompanying meal and a question/topic for discussion during the consuming.
More so, it finally defined 'philosophy' for me in a simple, digestible way (the food pun keeps cropping up) - the 'love of wisdom' or the 'art of clear thinking'.
I think the first two chapters had the most impact on me, talking about mental clarity and single tasking, both such useful philosophies for living life to the fullest.
The joy of single tasking flowed from the philosophy of Shunru Suzuki and his writings on Zen, the mental clarity from Bertrand Russell. If you read no more, these two chapters could change your life.
More so, it finally defined 'philosophy' for me in a simple, digestible way (the food pun keeps cropping up) - the 'love of wisdom' or the 'art of clear thinking'.
I think the first two chapters had the most impact on me, talking about mental clarity and single tasking, both such useful philosophies for living life to the fullest.
The joy of single tasking flowed from the philosophy of Shunru Suzuki and his writings on Zen, the mental clarity from Bertrand Russell. If you read no more, these two chapters could change your life.
June 3, 2016
Truth be told, this book didn't interest me that much. Normally I love a good philosophical conversation that simultaneously intrigues and enlightens but this one seemed to drag on a bit. The content was quite deep and it did make some excellent claims and points, but all together I found myself skimming through and wishing for the end. It didn't captivate my attention like I wished it would have.
December 30, 2020
*I received this book through Goodreads First Reads*
Fantastic book, pairing two of my favorite things: philosophy and cooking! Tasty and easy to make recipes paired with great discussion points for a fun philosophy dinner club with like-minded people!
Fantastic book, pairing two of my favorite things: philosophy and cooking! Tasty and easy to make recipes paired with great discussion points for a fun philosophy dinner club with like-minded people!
May 1, 2013
My husband and I loved this book!! Great ideas and very introspective.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews