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Does Santa Exist?: A Philosophical Investigation Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Metaphysics isn't ordinarily much of a laughing matter. But in the hands of acclaimed comedy writer and scholar Eric Kaplan, a search for the truth about old St. Nick becomes a deeply insightful, laugh-out-loud discussion of the way some things exist but may not really be there—just like Santa and his reindeer.
Even after we outgrow the jolly fellow, the essential paradox persists: There are some things we dearly believe in that are not universally acknowledged as real. In Does Santa Exist?, Kaplan shows how philosophy giants Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein strove to smooth over this uncomfortable meeting of the real and unreal—and failed. From there he turns to mysticism's attempts to resolve such paradoxes. Finally, he alights on comedy as the ultimate resolution of the fundamental paradoxes of life.
Kaplan delves deeper into what this means, from how our physical brains work to his own personal confrontations with life's biggest questions: If we're all going to die, what's the point of anything? What is a perfect moment? What can you say about God? Or Santa?
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“To bridge the paradoxes of logicand mysticism, Kaplan suggests comedy, at least ‘good’ comedy, as a way to ‘approachthe unavoidable contradictions in our life.’ (After all, Santa is a jollyfellow.) As he teases out this synthesis, the author’s argument is boththought-provoking and, at times, less than convincing, but he proves to be anengaging thinker whose musings are always provocative. Kaplan’s investigationinto the ontology of Santa Claus is erudite, readable, and exceedingly funny.”
— Kirkus Reviews
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“I’m not sure I’ve ever read a more peculiar book. Fortunately, it’s also smart, wise, charming, lucid, entertaining, big-hearted, and maybe even profound.”
— Kurt Andersen, New York Times bestselling author of Heyday -
Eric Kaplan's Does Santa Exist? is the funniest book of philosophy since . . . well, ever.
— Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons -
“Eric Kaplan’s Does Santa Exist? is the funniest book of philosophy since…well, ever.”
— Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons and Futurama -
“Eric Kaplan is more than a talented comedy writer. He is a deep soul, an intellectual master, and a brilliant communicator of the subtleties of the intersections between faith and logic. He will have you laughing, thinking harder than you’ve ever thought, and falling in love with the process of intellectual exploration all over again. A masterpiece.”
— Mayim Bialik, PhD, actress known for her roles as Blossom Russo in Blossom and Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler in The Big Bang Theory -
“This is truly a book that I wish I had written. Eric brings great clarity of thought to some of the deepest questions of the mind and our understanding of the world. And he’s really funny.”
— Daniel Levitin, New York Times bestselling author of This is Your Brain on Music -
“Exceptionally interesting, rigorous, and I found it not only weirdly funny but deeply moving.”
— Hubert Dreyfus, professor of philosophy, University of California Berkeley, fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences -
“If you can put this book down, you should see a doctor. Kaplan’s message burrows into the mind, beats up a few beliefs and then leaves with a triumphant bang.”
— Michael Gazzaniga, director of the SAGE Center for the Study of the Mind and founder of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society
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About Eric Kaplan
Eric Kaplan is a coexecutive producer of and writer for the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Previously, he wrote for the Late Show with David Letterman, The Simpsons, Malcolm in the Middle, Futurama, and Flight of the Conchords. Eric graduated from Harvard and is currently completing his dissertation in philosophy at UC Berkeley.
About Sean Runnette
Sean Runnette, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has also directed and produced more than two hundred audiobooks, including several Audie Award winners. He is a member of the American Repertory Theater company and has toured the United States and internationally with ART and Mabou Mines. His television and film appearances include Two If by Sea, Cop Land, Sex and the City, Law & Order, the award-winning film Easter, and numerous commercials.