University of Victoria lecturer and author Michael Picard is teaming up with a local jazz musician to launch his new book.

Titled This is not a Book: Adventures in Popular Philosophy, Picard (PhD) will team up with jazz singer and musician Devon McCagherty, who heads The Stomp Club, a local jazz group.

The event takes place tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 4) starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Solstice Café, located at 529 Pandora Ave.

McCagherty will perform from 8 to 9 p.m. after Picard has done a reading.

This is Not a Book: Adventures in Popular Philosophy was published in the United Kingdom and worldwide by Quid Publishing. It is co-published by Allen & Unwin in Australia, by Barnes & Noble in the United States, and by Continuum Books in the United Kingdom. Worldwide sales in its first year reached 20,000 and to date approximately 50,000 books have been printed.

This book has begun to accumulate a few recognitions as it was chosen book of the week by www.readysteadybook.com. A co-authored sequel will appear in the United Kingdom in early 2009.

Picard is an MIT-trained philosopher, international author, university teacher and public intellectual. Trained in mathematical logic and analytical philosophy, he has taught widely in psychology and philosophy, as well as in applied programs like leadership and environmental or business management. Dr. Picard runs Café Philosophy, a community-based participatory philosophy event which has run for 12 years weekly and convened over 500 sessions.

Picard is also a lecturer in psychology at the University of Victoria and an associate faculty member in Peace and Conflict Management at Royal Roads University.

McCagherty is a well-known figure within the local Victoria jazz music scene.

The Stomp Club is a collective of Victoria musicians which features Devon McCagherty on lead vocals/guitar, Ken Hall on guitar, Doug Rhodes on saxophone, Tom Ackerman on clarinet and Glen Manders on bass.

This is Not a Book: Adventures in Popular Philosophy features philosophical puzzles, quizzes, logical paradoxes and moral dilemmas that are designed to test the mind. The book is divided into four sections, one for each of the major branches of philosophy.

Each section includes an overview of the subject and brief profiles of the philosophers whose work has influenced thinking in said area, together with quizzes, games, mental exercises and thought experiments in which readers are asked to take on a particular view of reality and follow where it leads.

For more information about the event call 250-475-0477.

patrickb@vicnews.com