How to Teach Philosophy to Your Dog: Exploring the Big Question in Life

McGowan (The Art of Failing), a lecturer on philosophy and creative writing, playfully explores philosophy in this amusing collection of imaginary dialogues conducted with his Maltese terrier, Monty. During the pair’s walks through north London, Monty (at least in the brief responses McGowan gives to him) provides a foil for the author’s ruminations on various concepts about ethics, free will, knowledge, and the meaning of life. While taking Monty to a familiar spot on the bank of the Thames, McGowan is moved to consider pre-Socratic thinker Heraclitus, who coined the famous adage about the “impossibility of stepping into the same river” twice. McGowan also considers how philosophy and life reflect upon each other. Monty is an aging dog with a bad hip, so conversations on the nature of existence—such as what Plato’s theory of forms has to say about his essential nature as a dog—and death suit his stage of life. McGowan gives their “conversation” the sense of an easy give-and-take, with agreeably down-to-earth lines for Monty such as “Spinoza sounds quite cool” or “So determinism loses, hurrah!” Readers who have never roamed the paths of philosophy before, or who could use a return trip, will appreciate this enjoyable tour from a friendly guide and his loyal companion. (Feb.)

Correction: An earlier version of this review misspelled the author's last name.