Too Weird to Believe, Too Plausible to Deny: Mind-Blowing Philosophical Ideas

Anyone new to philosophy soon encounters new ideas that challenge their hidden biases and cherished beliefs, or are at odds with common sense and tradition. Yet, these philosophical ideas are backed by strong arguments, arguments so strong that it’s difficult to identify what is wrong with them. Too Weird to Believe, Too Plausible to Deny: Mind-Blowing Philosophical Ideas explores these strange yet cogent ideas in 29 short, clear chapters written by some of the best philosophers alive today.

Some of these ideas include:

• Nobody should reproduce.
• You are not responsible for your actions.
• Consciousness is in everything, everywhere.
• Your property doesn’t really belong to you.
• Absolutely anything can be art.
• Biases are morally good and help us understand reality.
• We can’t know what scientific facts are correct.
• Having a disability can be good for you.
• You should never ever lie, even to save a life.
• You have no moral duty to obey the law.
• You don’t exist because there is no self.

Each chapter starts with a seemingly counterintuitive philosophical conclusion and a simple, accurate description of the underlying argument supporting the conclusion, including historical and cultural context. This is followed by an outline of objections for the purposes of conversation and debate, and a discussion of the implications of the idea, or how it may relate to the reader’s interests and attitudes. Each chapter closes with suggested readings and a list of references for readers who want to learn more about the idea.

Cliff Sosis is a Principal Lecturer at Coastal Carolina University, USA. He has published on rationality and happiness. He created and runs the website ’What Is It Like to Be a Philosopher?’ which features in-depth autobiographical interviews with philosophers from a wide range of backgrounds.