Jostein Gaardner's Sophie's World

A novel that focuses throughout the history of philosophy, Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaardner, goes through over two-thousand years of philosophical history with a young girl names Sophie. A story with a twist, Gaardner is able to study the history of philosophy, focusing deeply even towards its outreach to the development of psychology. This novel is one designed to please children and adults alike to learn more and discover deeper meaning into philosophical thought. The story begins by focusing on young school aged Sophie who becomes the recipient of strange letters that contain information and thoughts on different philosophers. As the story develops, she discovers different things about this anonymous writer and his dog. She then meets Alberto Knox and his dog Hermes and they become friends who travel throughout the years to study the science and history within philosophical thought. While in the midst of studying, this young girl begins to receive strange information in regards to a Hilde Knag, who seems to be connected to this mysterious philosophical journey that she is on. Much of Sophie’s journey was confusing until she learned Berkeley’s philosophical thought on people living their entire lives inside the mind of God. Her teacher, Alberto, suggested that their lives were inside of Hilde’s father, which Gaardner named Albert Knag. After this part of the story, it is now seen from Hilde’s view, which the shift is noted once Hilde receives a birthday gift from her father titled Sophie’s World. The story then journey’s with Alberto and Sophie who attempt to make an escape from Albert’s mind, as Hilde begins to believe that Sophie is a real person. The story ends with Sophie and Alberto disappearing while at Sophie’s philosop...

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...of Albert believing that Sophie and Alberto were real, they became real to Hilde and could not die because they were thought of in someone’s mind. Often humans are driven insane by thoughts overcoming their reality and then there perceptions of what they believe to be true become true. Although the novel may be titled Sophie’s World, it could be argued that what was being read throughout the novel was Albert Knag’s world. Our mind’s are powerful aspects of our being and should never be wasted. With greater study, scientists are learning more about the human mind every day and can thus one day be able to fully understanding the human being.

Works Cited

Gaarder, J., & Møller, P. (2007). Sophie's world: A novel about the history of philosophy. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 1984. Print.