Instant Genius, The Cheat Sheets of Culture

Philosophy

By: Alan Hirsch

Narrated by: Ken Boynton

Your boss calls you Machiavellian. Is this a good thing? You need the facts. Fast. With this audio program, you can become an Instant Genius? on the subject of Philosophy in about an hour. Is there a God? Do you really exist? What can we actually know? You'll learn about Socrates, Plato, Descartes, Kant, Hume, Nietzsche, Sartre, and others who have pondered the answers to the big questions.© 1998 Good Thinking, Inc.

good overview of the philosophers

This provided a nice introduction and overview of some of the most popular philosophers. I never studied philosophy in school so it provided a good entry point. After listening to this I feel I am at least a LITTLE familar with the different branches of philosophy (rationalism, empiricism, existentialism,...) and who subscribed to what. As with the other Instant Genius books, it won't make you an expert but will surely put you ahead of most in your understanding.

Augustine is not pronounced Ag-u-steen

Would you try another book from Alan Hirsch and/or Ken Boynton?

No

What could Alan Hirsch have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Don't use annoying music that drowns out the reader's voice. Hire a reader who can pronounce the important terms.

How could the performance have been better?

Learn the words before you read.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

Probably an okay introduction for absolute beginners, but be wary of this reader's pronunciations. The title "instant genius" is grossly over-stated. This is philosophical history in about as broad of strokes as you can imagine.