Reading Guide
Chapters 26-30
Sophie’s World
Chapter 26 – Romanticism
1. How does the Romantic philosophy mirror Sophie and Alberto’s predicament? Their
predicament is that they exist only in the major’s mind.
2. Now that Sophie knows who she is, what does she want to do?
3. What’s Alberto’s plan?
4. How does Hilde react to Sophie and Alberto’s situation?
Chapter 27 – Hegel
1. Think back to our discussion about moral relativism vs. absolute truth (you should have these
notes in your Philosophy notebook). Where would Hegel be on that scale?
2. Why is it best to have energetic opponents?
3. What were Hegel’s views on women?
4. What is the significance of the brass mirror according to Hegel’s philosophy?
Chapter 28 – Kierkegaard
1. What do Alice’s two bottles represent?
2. Think back to our moral relativism vs. absolute truth discussion. Where would Kierkegaard be?
3. How is Kierkegaard different from Hegel?
4. How does Kierkegaard’s philosophy correspond to Socrates’ philosophy?
5. How does Kierkegaard’s philosophy correspond to Kant’s philosophy?
Chapter 29 – Marx
1. What do you think Hilde’s plan could be?
2. What do you think is the meaning of the enigmatic “what matters our creative endless toil when
at a snatch, oblivion ends the coil”?
3. What classes are in conflict in our capitalist system?
4. What is a proletariat?
5. What is exploitation of the worker?
Chapter 30 – Darwin
1. What does naturalist mean?
2. Look back on our discussion of nominalism and realism (you should have notes on this in your
philosophy notebook). Where would Marx, Darwin and Freud be?
3. What is the significance of the Galapagos?
4. Why is Noah an appropriate visitor at the beginning of this chapter?