“13: A Clue as to Why I’m Not So Confused Anymore” is a unique philosophy book, originally written as a birthday gift for the author’s 13-year-old daughter, aimed at making complex philosophical ideas both engaging and accessible.
This book creatively combines classic artwork with contemporary pop art and children’s illustrations to bring the ideas to life visually. The author employs a large number of Albrecht Dürer’s woodcuts and engravings, blending them with emoticons, pop art symbols, and lighthearted elements. This playful visual mashup creates a humorous and entertaining backdrop for the text, making it an approachable starting point for philosophical exploration.
The book revolves around a central question: If it’s possible to become wise, then why are there so few wise people around? This question guides the philosophical reflections, aiming to demystify the rarity of wisdom in the world. Through a mix of things the author believes in and things they remain uncertain about, the book encourages an open-minded view of philosophy—one that embraces questions rather than rigid answers.
Split into two sections, the book covers different aspects of wisdom and happiness. The first part offers a structured explanation exploring why wisdom and truly wise people seem almost absent in everyday life, delving into societal and personal barriers to wisdom. It proposes the idea that wisdom is systematically suppressed in our society and that those who are truly wise wouldn’t want to remain in it for long. Is there a mysterious Island of the Wise? Perhaps.
The second part is styled as an alphabet book, each letter representing a meditation on happiness from a philosophical perspective. This format is designed to be both accessible and fun, especially for younger readers, with each letter sparking a reflection on elements related to happiness, such as kindness, empathy, and contentment. By organizing the philosophy of happiness in a child-friendly format, the book invites its reader to contemplate these ideas gradually, making abstract concepts more relatable and memorable.
Ultimately, the book is both a gift and a guide—a gentle introduction to philosophy, encouraging curiosity and thoughtful questioning in the reader. It strives to foster a foundation of intellectual humility and open-mindedness, teaching that wisdom may be more about exploring questions than arriving at definitive answers. Through humor, art, and a blend of the classic with the modern, 13: A Clue as to Why I’m Not So Confused Anymore offers young readers (and adults alike) an accessible and visually engaging entry point into philosophy, where the goal is not to provide answers but to inspire a lifelong journey of questioning and reflection.
Available as an Ebook.