This New York Times bestseller with a brand-new cover, is the hilarious, insightful philosophy course everyone wishes they’d had in school “[Cathcart and Klein] know their stuff and wear their learnedness lightly, and Plato and a Platypus is a pleasure to read . . . I can’t help but love this book, and I have been quoting liberally from it.” ― Philosophy Now “A hoot.” ― Times Literary Supplement “What happens when you mix corny jokes, one-liners and vaudeville humor with some of life’s great lessons? You get an extraordinary read you’ll want to share with as many people as possible.” ― Orlando Sentinel “The zaniest bestseller of the year.” ― The Boston Globe “I laughed, I learned, I loved it.” ―Roy Blount Jr. Outrageously funny, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar has been a breakout bestseller ever since authors―and born vaudevillians―Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein did their schtick on NPR’s Weekend Edition . Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar is a not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical thinkers and traditions, from existentialism ( What do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common? ) to logic ( Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything ). Philosophy 101 for those who like to take the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to read―and finally, it all makes sense! Tom Cathcart (1869–2024) and Daniel Klein pursued the usual careers after majoring in philosophy at Harvard. Cathcart worked as a Chicago city bus driver, a probation officer, a junior college teacher, a Blue Cross executive, a hospice worker, and a hospital administrator. Klein has written many books, ranging from thrillers and mysteries to his well-known humorous books about philosophy. Together, they are bestselling authors of the politically incorrect book of daily affirmations, Macho Meditations , and the bestseller Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes . Cathcart unfortunately passed away in 2024.