Popular philosophy Books

Book Synopsis''Beautiful, moving, profoundly imaginative in itself - this book is as entertaining as it is relevant and practical'' ALAIN DE BOTTON''Anyone who has an imagination - that is, everyone - should read this book'' EDWARD ENNINFUL''An extraordinary book - an elaborate cabinet of curiosities'' SPECTATORFor some, the imagination is a luxury in the modern age; something which is by turns elusive, difficult to employ and better left to others. But what is it to imagine exactly? How do we go about it, and why is it so important that we imagine for ourselves?In this insightful and life-affirming book, Albert Read puts the imagination back at the forefront of our lives. Not merely a nebulous concept reserved for artists and creatives, it is a muscle - an essential faculty of the mind to be trained and developed over a lifetime. It is boundless in its potential, infinitely rewarding and central to human achievement.Spanning pre-historic times through to the twenty-first century, The Imagination Muscle explores the genesis of ideas - from Thomas Edison''s serial embracing of failure to Jane Jacobs'' vision of how we should build cities together; from Steve Jobs'' approach to office design to the Japanese concept of Ma. Touching on art, music, film, literature, science and entrepreneurship, this book examines how the imagination has evolved - in shape, power and pace - through the millennia.Albert Read reveals how we can harness the imagination in our day-to-day lives and why, in the new Age of Technology, it is more pressing than ever that we do so. Discover where to find ideas, how to foster skill in observation and connection, and how to be more attentive to the fluxes of our own minds.After all, as Read expertly outlines, the imagination is our supreme gift, our biggest opportunity, our greatest source of fulfilment and our most vital asset for the future.Trade ReviewBeautiful, moving, profoundly imaginative in itself - this book is as entertaining as it is relevant and practical -- Alain de BottonAnyone who has an imagination - that is, everyone - should read this book -- Edward EnninfulA sparkling romp through all the sunniest and most positive-feeling corners of the mind. A guidebook to free-thinking . . . A hymn to the capacity for delight -- Adam NicolsonBuoyant, beautifully distilled . . . Consistently entertaining * The Times *Super sharp ... brimming with big ideas. An extraordinary book * Spectator *What a great book . . . amazing -- Chris EvansThe perfect book for your weekend . . . in [Read's] fascinating new book, he explores how ideas have developed over thousands of years, across art, science, film, and literature, and explains how you can start find more of them * Independent *A moving hymn to creativity * Economist *

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Book SynopsisMonty was just like any other dog. A scruffy and irascible Maltese terrier, he enjoyed barking at pugs and sniffing at trees. But after yet another dramatic confrontation with the local Rottweiler, Anthony McGowan realises it’s high time he and Monty had a chat about what makes him a good or a bad dog. And they don’t stop at ethics. Taking his cue from Monty’s canine antics, McGowan leads us on an enlightening jaunt through the world of philosophy. Will Kant convince Monty to stop stealing cheesecake? How long will they put up with Socrates poking holes in every argument? Do they have free will to pursue answers to these questions? Join the dutiful duo as they set out to uncover who – if anyone – has the right end of the ethical stick and can tell us how best to live one’s life. But there is also a shadow over their conversations. Monty is not well… And so towards the end the biggest questions raise their heads: is there a God? Does life have a meaning? By the time of their last walk together, Monty – and the reader – will find that they have not just solved a few philosophical puzzles, but absorbed much of the history of Western philosophy.Trade Review‘Anthony McGowan’s How to Teach Philosophy to Your Dog is a delightful, quirky book that deserves a wide readership and may well get it… A witty, enjoyable book that gently introduces some serious philosophy, with plenty of smiles along the way’ * Nigel Warburton, Five Books *'For essential reading on both the meaning of dogs and the meaning of life, I can recommend Anthony McGowan’s wonderful book How to Teach Philosophy to Your Dog, a series of conversations he had with his dog, Monty, while out walking together. The final chapter is a touching meditation on death and the existence – or not – of God, that takes in everything from Aristotle to Schopenhauer and leaves you suspecting dogs might already have had many of the answers all along. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio / Than are dreamed of in your philosophy.' -- Guardian‘Anthony McGowan’s wonderful survey of philosophy… Hugely entertaining and accessible, there can’t have been more delightful exponents of Socratic dialogue than McGowan and Monty, his scruffy and evidently delightful Maltese terrier.’ -- Tom Holland, Best Books of the Year, New Statesman'I loved loved loved this book. Genuinely profound as well as very funny.' * Alex Preston, via Twitter *‘Filled with sparkling insights, a joy from start to finish. In turns witty, brilliant and irreverent, McGowan explains nothing less than the meaning of life – to his dog. If only we were all as lucky as Monty to go for long walks with the author…’ -- Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads'McGowan playfully explores philosophy in this amusing collection of imaginary dialogues conducted with his Maltese terrier, Monty. 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.' -- Publishers Weekly'An accessible, amusing guide to key philosophical questions...Perfect for novice philosophers.' * Idler *‘Readable, funny but enlightening…accessible and illuminating.’ * Church of England Newspaper *‘This is the most entertaining and accessible introduction to philosophy I have read. I doubt there can ever have been more delightful exponents of Socratic dialogue than McGowan and Monty, his dog.’ -- Tom Holland‘There is no sharper, funnier, cleverer writer in Britain today.’ -- Robert Twigger, author of Micromastery'A charming, informative, unique introduction to Western philosophy.' * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisWhat is kindness? Does it make us happier? And does it have a place in a selfish world?Psychoanalyst Adam Phillips and historian Barbara Taylor present an elegant, thoughtful and concise analysis of kindness in history, in life and in the modern world. Suggesting that acts of kindness occur when we are at our most open and honest, they ask why it is that our faith in kindness has been shaken - and why we are all too ready to believe that antagonism has taken its place.Trade ReviewPraise for Side Effects:'Erudite sparks from art, literature, science and philosophy . . . refreshingly lucid observations . . . Phillips is riveting . . . he bangs nails on heads, and into coffins, with such eloquent precision' Telegraph'Frequent moments of brilliance, sentences that sing out as containing perfect sense . . . brilliant, baffling and fascinating' ObserverPraise for Side Effects:'Erudite sparks from art, literature, science and philosophy . . . refreshingly lucid observations . . . Phillips is riveting . . . he bangs nails on heads, and into coffins, with such eloquent precision' Telegraph'Frequent moments of brilliance, sentences that sing out as containing perfect sense . . . brilliant, baffling and fascinating' Observer

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Book SynopsisA graduate of both Harvard University and Case Western Reserve, Dr Peck served in the Army Medical Corps from 1963 to 1972 and had a private practice in psychiatry from 1972 to 1983. Since then, he has devoted much of his time and financial resources to the work of the Foundation for Community Encouragement, a nonprofit organization which he and his wife, Lily, helped found in 1984. Dr Peck lives in Connecticut. His bestselling books include The Road Less Travelled and Beyond, A World Waiting to Be Born, and What Return Can I Make?Trade ReviewA brilliant self-help book, which I found genuinely inspiring...I love this book, it's my spiritual refuge and I'm certain everyone will find something to console them within these pages. * Boy George, Sunday Express *

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Book SynopsisBig Ideas in Brief provides an accessible and easily understood tour of 200 key concepts that really matter. The ideas covered come from a wide range of subjects - Philosophy, Religion, Science, Politics, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology and the Arts. A series of short and lively articles accompanied by 100 illustrations, introduce a host of diverse topics, from Existentialism to Expressionism, from Consciousness to Constitutionalism, from Feminism to Free Trade, from Class to Cognitive Theory, from Reincarnation to Relativity - all explained simply and clearly. Incredibly quick - clear artworks and simple explanations that can be easily remembered. Based on scientific research that the brain best absorbs information visually. Compact and portable format - the ideal, handy reference.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Philosophy. Religion. Science. Politics. Economics. Society. Psychology. The Arts. Index.

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Book Synopsis**Winner of the Transmission Prize 2019**THE OLD GODS ARE DYING.Giant corporations collapse overnight. Newspapers are being swallowed. Stock prices plummet with a tweet.NEW IDOLS ARE RISING IN THEIR PLACE. More crime now happens online than offline. Facebook has grown bigger than any state, bots battle elections, coders write policy, and algorithms shape our lives in more ways than we can imagine. The Death of the Gods is an exploration of power in the digital age, and a journey in search of the new centres of control. From a cyber-crime raid in British suburbia to the engine rooms of Silicon Valley, pioneering technology researcher Carl Miller traces how power is being transformed, fought over, lost and won. ‘A timely and incisive book that grapples with some of the most significant issues of our time.’ Wired'Uncovers the fascinating and often hidden characters that are changing the world. Essential reading.' Jamie Bartlett, author of The People vs Tech‘A magisterial guide to the impact of the digital revolution on our institutions and our lives.’ Anthony GiddensTrade ReviewA timely and incisive book that grapples with some of the most significant issues of our time. There will be countless volumes on "disruption" and "innovation" published this year, but Miller cuts through the noise and examines how the ascendancy of technology is fundamentally shifting economic models and the effect that this is having on society and individuals. -- Greg Williams * Wired *The best sort of tech book: extensive field work, accessible, and ultimately about people rather than computers. The Death of the Gods uncovers the fascinating and often hidden characters that are changing the world. Essential reading if you want to know why the old rules don’t apply any more – and what might come next. -- Jamie Bartlett, author of The People Versus TechThere are plenty of books on the market exploring the the insidious impact of technology platforms on democracies, but Carl’s is one of the most gripping. He takes you on a journey through Silicon Valley’s rise to power, during which you meet hackers, cybercriminals, fake news factory owners, activists and psyops agents. It’s thrilling and terrifying in equal measure. -- Olivia SolonA whirlwind ride through huge forces shaping and disrupting the world. Miller encounters new elites and grassroots movements, state actors and companies as big as countries, nerds and visionaries, bad men and some pretty amazing women. Prepare to be terrified, exhilarated and occasionally inspired. -- Catherine Mayer, author and co-founder of the Women's Equality PartyA highly readable and at times disturbing account of how in the digital age power over aspects of our everyday lives has shifted from long established to new and untried sources. Carl Miller deftly guides us through the darker recesses of the modern world to meet some of the new global demi-gods that now influence our lives in ways we need urgently to understand. -- Professor Sir David Omand, former Director of GCHQ

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Book SynopsisThis companion volume to The Pig That Wants To Be Eaten provides another rapid-fire selection of short, stimulating and entertaining capsules of philosophy. This time the focus is on the bad argumentative moves people use all the time, in politics, the media and everyday life. Each entry takes as its starting point an example of questionable reasoning from the media or literature, and, as with The Pig ..., the reader is given plenty to chew on and work through for themselves.

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Book SynopsisIt has been said that, after the Bible, Plato's dialogues are the most influential books in Western culture. And of the dialogues, the Symposium is the most delightful and accessible, requiring no special knowledge of ancient Greek philosophy or customs. Dramatizing a party in fifth-century B.C. Athens, the deceptively unassuming Symposium introduces--in the guise of convivial after-dinner conversation--profound ideas about the nature of love. In Phaedrus, here published together with the Symposium, Plato discusses the place of eloquence in expounding truth. In both dialogues, Socrates plays the leading role, by turns teasing, arguing, analyzing, joking, inspiring, and cajoling his followers into understanding ideas that have remained central to Western thought through the centuries.

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Book SynopsisA book to offer clarity and guidance when facing the difficult decision of whether your relationship has a future.

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Book SynopsisWe might think we are through with the past, but the past isn't through with us. Tragedy permits us to come face to face with the things we don't want to know about ourselves, but which still make us who we are. It articulates the conflicts and contradictions that we need to address in order to better understand the world we live in. A work honed from a decade's teaching at the New School, where 'Critchley on Tragedy' is one of the most popular courses, Tragedy, the Greeks and Us is a compelling examination of the history of tragedy. Simon Critchley demolishes our common misconceptions about the poets, dramatists and philosophers of Ancient Greece - then presents these writers to us in an unfamiliar and original light.Trade ReviewEngaging and thought-provoking without too much abstraction and with just enough detail to add flavour ... It has something of the chatty vigour of a successful seminar discussion ... infectiously enthusiastic ... . There is something genuinely invigorating about Critchley's eager open-mindedness, his willingness to step back from modernity to the ancient world and from philosophy to literature -- Emily Wilson * New Statesman *Simon Critchley beguiles as he illuminates -- David MitchellThoughtful, fascinating * New Yorker *

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Book SynopsisHow to live a better life. One of the most important books on Western philosophy - a powerful and inspirational guide for the complicated world of today''Refreshing and restorative'' GUARDIAN''An ancient work of spiritual reflection which remains a powerful reminder of how we could live a more dignified life by avoiding deceit, vanity and greed'' OK MAGAZINEFew ancient works have been as influential as the MEDITATIONS of Marcus Aurelius. Filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behaviour, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus''s insights and advice - on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others - have made the MEDITATIONS required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style.In GregorTrade ReviewAn ancient work of spiritual reflection from the Roman emperor, which remains a powerful reminder of how we could live a more dignified life by avoiding deceit, vanity and greed * OK MAGAZINE *MEDITATIONS is unaffected by time and offers plenty of wisdom * IRISH EXAMINER *Refreshing and restorative. They tell you the worst. And having heard the worst, you feel less bad * GUARDIAN *An ancient work of spiritual reflection from the Roman emperor, which remains a powerful reminder of how we could live a more dignified life by avoiding deceit, vanity and greed. * OK! MAGAZINE - HOT STARS SUPPLEMENT *Meditations is unaffected by time and offers plenty of wisdom. * IRISH EXAMINER *

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERFrom the timeless wisdom of ancient Greece through to Christianity, the Enlightenment, existentialism and postmodernism, A Brief History of Thought brilliantly and accessibly explains the enduring teachings of philosophy - including its profound relevance in today's world as well as its essential role in achieving happiness and living a meaningful life.This lively journey through the great thinkers challenges every one of us to learn to think for ourselves and asks us the most important question of all: how can we live better?Trade ReviewThis is a vital book -- MATTHEW B. CRAWFORD, author of SHOP CLASS AS SOULCRAFTFor everyone from the man in the street to the man in the Acropolis - a fine introduction to philosophy and its fundamental relevance to living a meaningful life -- DANIEL KLEIN and THOMAS CATHCART, authors of PLATO AND A PLATYPUS WALK INTO A BARA philosophical survival kit, in which the reader will find brilliant ideas to help them think better and live better * * L'Express * *A lucid and committed book * * New Humanist * *This superb primer proves that philosophy belongs at the centre of life * * Publishers Weekly (starred review) * *No dry academic, Ferry restores to philosophy a compelling urgency * * Booklist (starred review) * *

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Book SynopsisFor over 2000 years, philosophy has been our best guide to the experience of being human, and the true nature of reality. From Aristotle, Plato, Epicurus, Confucius, Cicero and Heraclitus in ancient times to 17th century rationalists Descartes, Leibniz and Spinoza, from 20th-century greats Jean-Paul Sartre, Jean Baudrillard and Simone de Beauvoir to contemporary thinkers Michael Sandel, Peter Singer and Slavoj Zizek, 50 Philosophy Classics explores key writings that have shaped the discipline and had an impact on the real world. This is the thinking person''s guide to a uniquely powerful tool for opening our minds and helping us view the world. It synthesises the 50 greatest books ever written, distilling hundreds of ideas from across the centuries with insightful commentary, key quotes and biographical information on the authors.The revised edition will: include 7 new contemporary or timely classics such as Judith Butler''s Gender Trouble,

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Book SynopsisRiddles of Existence makes metaphysics genuinely accessible, even fun. Its lively, informal style brings the riddles to life and shows how stimulating they can be to think about. No philosophical background is required to enjoy this book. It is ideal for beginning students. Anyone wanting to think about life''s most profound questions will find Riddles of Existence provocative and entertaining.This new edition is updated throughout, and features two extra, specially written chapters: one on metaphysical questions to do with morality, and the other on questions about the nature of metaphysics itself.Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Personal Identity ; 2. Fatalism ; 3. Time ; 4. God ; 5. Why Not Nothing? ; 6. Free Will and Determinism ; 7. Constitution ; 8. Universals ; 9. Possibility and Necessity ; 10. The Metaphysics of Ethics ; 11. What is Metaphysics? ; 12. Metametaphysics ; Acknowledgements ; Index

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Book Synopsis''This world is the will to power - and nothing besides!''One of the great minds of modernity, Friedrich Nietzsche smashed through the beliefs of his age. These writings, which did much to establish his reputation as a philosopher, offer some of his most powerful and troubling thoughts: on how the values of a new, aggressive elite will save a nihilistic, mediocre Europe, and, most famously, on the ''will to power'' - ideas that were seized upon and twisted by later readers. Taken from Nietzsche''s unpublished notebooks and assembled by his sister after his death, The Will to Power now appears with previous errors corrected.Translated by R. Kevin Hill and Michael A. Scarpitti with an Introduction and Notes by R. Kevin Hill

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Book SynopsisArguing for the benefits of boredom, this title dispels the myth that it's simply a childish emotion or an existential malaise like Jean-Paul Sartre's nausea. It shows how boredom is, in fact, one of our most common and constructive emotions and is an essential part of the human experience.Trade Review"As for his engaging new book, Toohey needn’t worry: Boredom, with its wise insights, is never boring."—Carmela Ciuraru, Boston Globe -- Carmela Ciuraru * Boston Globe *"Readers who are willing to meander from science to literature to art and other realms will find themselves engaged."—Nina C. Ayoub, The Chronicle Review -- Nina C. Ayoub * The Chronicle Review *“There are plenty of fine things here to keep a receptive mind alert.”—Alain de Botton, The Times -- Alain de Botton * The Times *“Few writers on boredom can match Peter Toohey when it comes to finding pleasure, excitement and even a perverse kind of glee in his subject.”—Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, The Daily Telegraph -- Robert Douglas-Fairhurst * The Daily Telegraph *"Mr. Toohey presents his case with verve."—Elizabeth Lowry, Wall Street Journal -- Elizabeth Lowry * Wall Street Journal *'Peter Toohey is a wonderful scholar, whose work on classical literature both instructs and delights.' - Darian Leader -- Darian Leader'Forget ennui: Peter Toohey makes the case that the simpler, everyday kind of boredom we all experience is far more important than the pretentious world-weariness of French philosophers. Being bored can be excruciating, but it can also spur people to the heights of creativity. Toohey succeeds in making boredom interesting.' - Dylan Evans, author of Emotion: The Science of Sentiment -- Dylan Evans'Who would have thought that boredom could be so stimulating?' - Michael Foley, author of The Age of Absurdity -- Michael Foley"A thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the history a maligned emotion, which according to the author, may actually be designed to help us flourish."—The Bookseller * The Bookseller *“[Toohey’s] crisp conversational prose is untainted by jargon or pretence. His arguments display impressive erudition: history, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience and aesthetics all get a guernsey. If good writing requires authorial boredom, Toohey was undoubtedly tortured by tedium while writing this sharp, humane and funny book.”—Damon Young, The Australian -- Damon Young * The Australian *“…quirky and contentious.”—Stuart Kelly, Scotland on Sunday -- Stuart Kelly * Scotland on Sunday *“Toohey has lots of exciting things to say about boredom.”—Craig Brown, The Mail on Sunday -- Craig Brown * The Mail on Sunday *“In Boredom: A Lively History Peter Toohey, a professor of classics, makes a strong case for boredom as a universal emotion, experienced by humans throughout history and throughout all cultures, with many practical and emotional benefits.”—Ian Sansom, The Guardian -- Ian Sansom * The Guardian *“…… [Toohey] writes breezily and entertainingly about one of the world’s most boring subjects: boredom itself.”—Tim Heald, The Tablet -- Tim Heald * The Tablet *"[Toohey] makes a persuasive case that there are even benefits to boredom, and at the very least this engaging read proffers a temporary antidote to the noonday demon."—Kelly McMasters, Newsday -- Newsday * Kelly McMasters *"Highly entertaining."—Gordon Pitz, PsycCRITIQUES -- Gordon Pitz * PsycCRITIQUES *“….a playful but scholarly study.”—Sunday Herald * Sunday Herald *“It’s a brave author who chooses boredom as the subject for a book. How to describe this least glamorous of emotions, or delve into its essential qualities, without concocting a truly dull tract? Peter Toohey’s method is to whip through the history, meaning and artistic representations of boredom at such a jaunty pace that there’s no time to be bored at all.”—Helen Zaltzman, The Observer -- Helen Zaltzman * The Observer *"A lively, eminently readable book."—S. Halling, Choice -- S. Halling * Choice *“Toohey’s book is a veritable boredom bible, plus it’s got some funny bits and lots of nice pictures.”—Chris Moss, Time Out -- Chris Moss * Time Out *“A fun and illuminating argument for the benefits of boredom.”—Angus Clarke, The Times -- Angus Clarke * The Times *

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Book SynopsisHow we eat, farm and shop for food is not only a matter of taste. Our choices regarding what we eat involve every essential aspect of our human nature: the animal, the sensuous, the social, the cultural, the creative, the emotional and the intellectual. Thinking seriously about food requires us to consider our relationship to nature, to our fellow animals, to each other and to ourselves. So can thinking about food teach us about being virtuous, and can what we eat help us to decide how to live? From the author of The Ego Trick and The Pig that Wants to be Eaten comes a thought-provoking exploration of our values and vices. What can fasting teach us about autonomy? Should we, like Kant, 'dare to know' cheese? Should we take media advice on salt with a pinch of salt? And can food be more virtuous, more inherently good, than art?

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Book SynopsisInfluential popular philosopher Roman Krznaric argues our brains are wired for social connection: empathy is at the heart of who we are. It's an essential, transforming quality we must develop for the 21st Century. Through encounters with actors, activists, groundbreaking designers, undercover journalists, nurses, bankers and neuroscientists, Krznaric defines a new breed of adventurer. He sets out the six life-enhancing habits of highly empathic people, whose skills enable them to connect with others in extraordinary ways. Empathy has the power to transform relationships, from the personal to the political. Krznaric contends that, as we move on from an age of introspection, empathy will be key to fundamental social change - making this book a manifesto for revolution.Trade ReviewHaving spent the past decade studying empathy, I can say without hesitation that Roman's work is exactly what we need to bring this powerful concept off the pages and into our lives. Empathy inspires with a unique combination of teaching, storytelling, and a serious call to action. * Brené Brown, bestselling author of Daring Greatly *Empathy explores the essence of being human...inspiring, fascinating and helpful. * Rick Hanson, author of Hardwiring Happiness and Buddha's Brain *

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Book SynopsisWhat is a good life, and how is it related to a happy one? What are virtues, and how do they affect the nature of friendships? Ethicists Gregory Beabout and Mike Hannis describe various approaches, ancient and modern, to those timeless questions: "What kind of person am I?" and "What should I do?"

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Book SynopsisPhilosophy in Minutes distils 200 of the most important philosophical ideas into easily digestible, bite-sized sections. The core information for every topic - including debates such as the role of philosophy in science and religion, key thinkers from Aristotle to Marx, and introductions to morality and ethics - is explained in straightforward language, using illustrations to make the concepts easy to understand and remember. Whether you are perplexed by existentialism or pondering the notion of free will, this accessible small-format book will help any reader to quickly grasp the basics of this highly nuanced subject. Chapters include: Truth and logic, Marxism, Communism and Socialism, Ontology, Philosophy and literature, Existence of God, Feminist theory, Consciousness, The future of philosophy.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Branches of philosophy. Greek philosophy. Eastern philosophy. Christianity and philosophy. Philosophy and Islam. Renaissance, reason and revolution. Empiricism. German idealism. Existentialism. Philosophy in the United States. Modern logic. Philosophy and science in the 20th century. Twentieth century political philosophy. Applied philosophy. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisA Guide for the Perplexed is E. F. Schumacher''s classic work of philosophy and a statement of the philosophies that underpin his economic masterpiece Small is Beautiful. Schumacher asserts that it is the task of philosophy to provide a map of life and knowledge, which exhibits the most important features of life in their proper prominence.Trade ReviewA condensation of a vast and refreshingly unorthodox system of ideas -- Arthur Koestler * Observer *Schumacher's arguments are invigorating, provoking, and often dramatic * New Statesman *The most exciting philosophical book for ages * Daily Mail *There is a rich store of wisdom and understanding, embedded in the religions of East and West, which our dangerous preoccupation with science has scanted and ignored... This book is about the different ways in which people may see and the blindness of only seeing in one particular way. * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisBence Nanay introduces aesthetics, a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of art, beauty, and taste. Looking beyond traditional artistic experiences, he defends the topic from accusations of elitism, and shows how more everyday experiences such as the pleasure in a soft fabric or falling leaves can become the subject of aesthetics.Table of Contents1: Lost in the museum 2: Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll 3: Experience and attention 4: Aesthetics and the self 5: Aesthetics and the other 6: Aesthetics and life 7: Global aesthetics Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisHumour has been discovered in every known human culture and thinkers have discussed it for over two thousand years. Humour can serve many functions; it can be used to relieve stress, to promote goodwill among strangers, to dissipate tension within a fractious group, to display intelligence, and some have even claimed that it improves health and fights sickness. In this Very Short Introduction Noel Carroll examines the leading theories of humour including The Superiority Theory and The Incongruity Theory. He considers the relation of humour to emotion and cognition, and explores the value of humour, specifically in its social functions. He argues that humour, and the comic amusement that follows it, has a crucial role to play in the construction of communities, but he also demonstrates that the social aspect of humour raises questions such as ''When is humour immoral?'' and ''Is laughing at immoral humour itself immoral?''. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewExcellent introduction. * Steven Poole, the guardian *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The nature of humour ; 2. Humour, emotion, and cognition ; 3. Humour and value ; References ; Further reading

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Book SynopsisFrom ''one of the most influential thinkers of our time'' (Sunday Times): how to respond to today''s demands on our attentionIn this brilliant follow-up to The Case for Working with Your Hands, Matthew Crawford investigates the challenge of mastering one''s own mind. With ever-increasing demands on our attention, and with capitalism increasingly invading every space, how do we focus on what''s really important in our lives?Exploring the intense focus of ice-hockey players, the flow of a cook in their element, and the inherited craft of building pipe organs, Crawford argues that in order to flourish, we need to return to lives where we establish meaningful connections with objects and the people around us.Trade ReviewAbsolutely superb: elegant, surprising, hard-hitting and very important -- Guy Claxton, author of 'Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind'Both impassioned and profound * Washington Post *Very entertaining . . . [with] many interesting insights * The Times *Crawford makes the crucial point that this is a political problem. The creators of smartphones, social networks designed to hook us, the firms buying ads on escalator handrails and media organizations desperate for your clicks and shares are all helping themselves to something that's ours - the limited resource of our attention - to try to turn a profit -- Oliver Burkeman * Guardian *There are now many books reminding us to pay attention but Crawford also reminds us of how we lost attention in the first place - and putting the problem in its historical context makes the case more compelling -- Michael Foley, author of 'The Age of Absurdity'

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Book SynopsisThis new edition of a timeless classic demonstrates how the use of clear, rational thinking and logic can win any argument, however emotionally charged the topic in question. It describes the typical flaws of reasoning in argument and shows how language can be used to deceive - and how to avoid being deceived. It will show you how, by learning what is ''straight'', rational language, and clear thought, you can disentangle emotionally charged rhetoric and hold your own in any argument or debate, no matter how challenging. Although written nearly 80 years ago, this book proves that certain principles remain timeless; it has shown many thousands over the decades how to cope with media spin and distorted reasoning - and now it will do the same for you.Trade Review'It is neither a dry nor weighty tome, but is jam-packed with raw rational sense. It will give you techniques for identifying fallacies and false arguments. It will help protect you from the devious subterfuges of politicians and preachers, journalists and jingoists. It is sweet manna from a rational heaven. Thouless describes 38 dishonest tricks that are commonly used in arguments (there may be more). ' * answersingenes.blogspot.com *"Straight and Crooked Thinking remains one of the most succinct and practically-applicable books ever written. One blogger named it as his favorite book of all time, describing it as "a concise work of supreme genius." * http://neglectedbooks.com *"...put it back on the mass market, where it belongs! (...) get it on every bookshelf on the planet." * http://answersingenes.blogspot.com/2007/11/straight-crooked-thinking.html *Table of Contents : 1. Different ways of using language : 2. Words and facts : 3. The meanings of words : 4. Definition and some of its difficulties : 5. Good and bad definitions : 6. All and some : 7. Some dishonest tricks in argument : 8. Some logical fallacies : 9. Habits of thought : 10. Prejudice : 11. Predigested thinking : 12. Pitfalls in analogy : 13. Oratory and suggestion : 14. Tricks of suggestion : 15. Straight thinking : 16. The future of straight thinking : Appendix 1: Thirty-seven dishonest tricks commonly used in argument, with the methods of overcoming them : Appendix 2: A discussion illustrating crooked thinking : Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the New York Times bestselling author of Lost in Translation comes an illustrated manifesto and an interactive guide to reclaiming the wonder of the everyday through mindful activities, creative exercises and heart-warming stories.In a world that sometimes moves too fast, Ella Frances Sanders is on a mission to remind us all to slow down and find beauty in the ordinary as a balm for the soul. Part meditation, part self-help guide and part interactive journal, Everything, Beautiful invites us to rethink what 'beauty' can be, why it matters and how we can find it all around us if we just stop to look. It is a reminder that each day all of us are surrounded by beauty that can't be bought: spiderwebs only seen in the sunlight, the greenish glow of a fox's eyes watching in the dark, or the comforting screech of the train that takes you to your many futures.Filled with thoughtful, intimate and brilliant insights, inspirational quotes, breathtaking illustrations and space for readers of all ages to write, draw and reflect on their own ideas of beauty, Everything, Beautiful is the perfect book for everyone who wants to reclaim a sense of wonder in their everyday lives.Trade ReviewFilled with captivating stories, prompts, hand-lettered quotes, and illustrations, Sanders' book expands our perspective to include those imperfect, messy, and even heartbreaking moments in this new definition of beauty. * Mindful Magazine *[A] sweet outing ... The full-colour illustrations are charmingly stylized, prioritizing mood over realism and successfully evoking the wonder in the banal. The result offers a whimsical and winsome reconsideration of the mundane * Publishers Weekly *A collection of words you never knew you needed before * Huffington Post for 'Lost in Translation' *Charming illustrations and sheer linguistic delight * Maria Popova, Brain Pickings, for 'Lost in Translation' *A fantastic collection of words without English counterparts * Entertainment Weekly, for 'Lost in Translation' *Words you never knew you needed but now can't live without * Saga Magazine, for 'Lost in Translation' *A charming collection of idioms that get lost in translation ... these are the sayings that you learn when immersed in a culture. From the bleak to the romantic and straight-up weird, each one is explained in words and pictures-perfectly outlining the sometimes hard-to-comprehend concepts. There are too many favorites to list. * Cool Hunting, for 'Speaking in Tongues' *Ell Frances Sanders ... unlocks phrases that are unusual and delightful to the ears and, through charming illustrations, easy on the eyes * Fathom, for 'Speaking in Tongues' *... will make you think, laugh and discover situations you never knew there was a word for * Elle Canada for 'Lost in Translation' *A charming little book with delightful illustrations * The San Fransisco Chronicle, for 'Speaking in Tongues' *

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Book SynopsisIn The Godless Gospel, Julian Baggini challenges our assumptions about Jesus - and the Christian values he promotes - by focusing solely on his teachings in the Gospel. Stripping away the religious elements, Baggini finds that Jesus's words amount to a purposeful and powerful philosophy, one that still remains applicable to the world we live in today.Trade ReviewUnlike many philosophical atheists, Julian Baggini is prepared to give close and sensitive attention to the Christian Gospels, challenging us to reflect on how far their luminous moral riches can be salvaged within a secularist framework -- John Cottingham, Professor Emeritus, University of Reading and Professor of Philosophy of Religion University of RoehamptonA superbly lucid and emotionally involving account of the New Testament story, full of thought-provoking insights for atheists, agnostics and believers alike -- Sarah BakewellThe Godless Gospel is simply stunning. Once again, Baggini shows that philosophical writing can be nuanced, erudite, and brilliantly accessible at the same time. In our uneasy age we need philosophers who engage vitally with audiences yearning for meaningful debate: Baggini is leading the vanguard -- Joanna KavennaThe Godless Gospel is a riveting account not of religious belief but of the wisdom of one of the world's greatest moral philosophers... Baggini's great gift is to be able to explain the most complex philosophical and theological arguments in language we can all easily understand... generous and warm -- Gavin Esler

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Book SynopsisHow did we find ourselves in a "post-truth" world of "alternative facts"? And can we get out of it? A Short History of Truth sets out to answer these questions by looking at the complex history of truth and falsehood. It identifies ten types of supposed truth and explains how easily each can become the midwife of falsehood. There is no species of truth that we can rely on unquestioningly, but that does not mean the truth can never be established. Attaining truth is an achievement we need to work for, and each chapter will end up with a truth we can have some confidence in.This history builds into a comprehensive and clear explanation of why truth is now so disputed by exploring 10 kinds of truth:1. Eternal truths.2. Authoritative truths.3. Esoteric truths.4. Reasoned truths.5. Evidence-based truths.6. Creative truths.7. Relative truths. 8. Powerful truths9. Moral truths.10. Holistic truths. Baggini provides us with all we need to restore faith in the value and possibility of truth as a social enterprise. Truth-seekers need to be sceptical not cynical, autonomous not atomistic, provisional not dogmatic, open not empty, demanding not unreasonable.

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Book SynopsisIn this three-decade-long collection of aphorisms, Yahia Lababidi combines Eastern mysticism, Western philosophy and his Arab heritage to explore life's fundamental questions. Drawing from diverse traditions, he crafts concise observations about love, spirituality, suffering and self-discovery.

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERIn this book, that combines cutting edge science with real world applications, Chopra and Kafatos redefine our nature of reality and what is possible.Here they ask 9 questions: What Came Before the Big Bang? Why Does the Universe Fit Together So Perfectly? Where Did Time Come From? What Is the Universe Made Of? Is There Design in the Universe?Is the Quantum World Linked to Everyday Life?Do We Live in a Conscious Universe?How Did Life First Begin? Does the brain create the mind?You Are The Universe offers answers that open up new possibilities for all of us to lead more fruitful, peaceful and successful lives.Trade ReviewWorth reading because here’s a medical doctor working hard to marry up Eastern mysticism with Western pragmatism * Jeanette Winterson *The rock star of the new spirituality * Guardian *I highly recommend this for those who are curiously alive * FRED ALAN WOLF, author of The Spiritual Universe *It addresses all the most important questions we can ask ourselves and of science * Ervin Laszlo, author of What is Reality: The New Map of Cosmos *A riveting and absolutely fascinating adventure that will blow your mind wide open! * Dr. Rudolph E. Tanzi *

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Book SynopsisConflict is an inevitable part of life, knowing how to deal with it is key. Looking for a flash of inspiration to solve a tricky problem? Want some tried and tested tactics to help you gain the upper hand in a sticky situation? You need The Little Art of War Book, a collection of over 170 quotes drawn straight from the ancient treatise by China's most famous warrior and philospher, Sun Tzu. Written 2,500 years ago, the Art of War has not only influenced the greatest military leaders throughout history, but studied by modern-day politicians, business consultants, football coaches and video gamers, too. 'To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.' 'The best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.' 'In the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together.' 'No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.' Table of ContentsLeadership • Knowledge • Planning • Strategy • Tactics • Victory.

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Book SynopsisThe forgotten garden that inspired Charles Darwin becomes the modern-day setting for an exploration of memory, family, and the legacy of genius. Darwin’s childhood garden at The Mount in Shrewsbury was the site of some of the great scientist’s earliest experiments. It was where, under the tutelage of his green-fingered mother and sisters, and the house’s knowledgeable gardeners, he first examined the reproductive life of flowers, collected birds’ eggs, and began to note down the ideas that would lead to his groundbreaking theory of evolution. In The Ghost in the Garden, Jude Piesse uncovers the lost histories that inspired Darwin’s work and how his legacy, and the legacies of those around him, live on today.Trade Review‘[Q]uirky [and] gloriously unclassifiable … Ms. Piesse’s The Ghost in the Garden, with its many asides, intensely personal stories, and sometimes delightfully unrelated material … offers a radiant literary analogue for such botanical unpredictability.’ -- Christoph Irmscher * The Wall Street Journal *‘A fascinating and very personal book in which Darwin’s relationship to his family’s garden reflects directly on his visionary understanding of the natural world in its entirety. A delight!’ -- Julia Blackburn, author of Thin Paths‘What is special about The Ghost in the Garden is the combination of research with an empathetic imagination that enables Piesse to show how much Darwin was influenced by the seven-acre estate over which he had roamed as a boy … Piesse is a conscientious reporter.’ -- Miranda Seymour * Financial Times *‘Jude Piesse’s beautiful piece of detective work, The Ghost in the Garden, uncovers and brings to life the place that inspired the curiosity and spirit of enquiry of the boy and man who would become probably the most influential thinker and scientist in history: Charles Darwin. What makes this book so emotionally beguiling is the way the tale unfolds of an ordinary, yet handsome provincial house with a garden — and that was all it took. It moved me because inside Piesse’s book she could be describing every boy and girl free to roam and encouraged to explore, and you can feel the melancholy ghost of your own lost youth and heartbreak for those millions without the good fortune to have that freedom. It is a small story with a huge overtone that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.’ -- Sir Tim Smit, Executive Vice Chair & Co-Founder of the Eden Project‘There are two ghosts in the garden here: the young Charles aboard the Beagle, writing salt-stained letters to his sisters, and the figure of Jude Piesse herself, author of this tender and unexpected memoir. Slightly at sea herself in a new job, at one point marooned in her new office by flood water, she gives a vivid picture of the obsessiveness of research: the hallucinogenic quality of the trees as she paces the overgrown garden, the feel of the manuscripts as she pores over the sisters’ letters in nine-hour stints in the library, a young woman navigating a course through early motherhood and the world of academe.’ -- Katherine Swift, author of The Morville Hours‘The Ghost in the Garden is intelligent, curious, and moving nonfiction. It brings together biography, history, horticulture, and memoir — and does so with style and poignancy. Like the finest gardeners, Jude Piesse has laboured to give us something beautiful but also challenging; something that offers comforts without letting us get too comfortable with ourselves.’ -- Damon Young, author of Philosophy in the Garden‘Jude Piesse’s The Ghost in the Garden is a fascinating, beautifully written blend of biography, memoir, nature-writing, psychogeography, and history of science. Piesse shows us the human, quotidian world of the Darwin clan through the story of her discovery of their places and their stories, and the way they helped to seed Charles Darwin’s world-changing discoveries. In doing so, Piesse beautifully evokes what it is to be obsessed with a place, even when it no longer, quite, exists.’ -- Emma Darwin‘What is special about The Ghost in the Garden is the combination of research with an empathetic imagination that enables Piesse to show how much Darwin was influenced by the seven-acre estate over which he had roamed as a boy … Piesse is a conscientious reporter.’ -- Miranda Seymour * Financial Times *‘It’s very well written, a beautiful book.’ -- Professor Luke O'Neill * Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute *‘Skillfully blending memoir and biography … the result is an original take on a giant of science.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Absorbing … Unexpected, fresh, and revealing … a joy.’ -- Helen Bynum * Literary Review *‘Well written and well researched.’ * Saga Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'So, What Are I Doing Here, Anyway?' is a multi-course feast, offering readers a wide-ranging and thought-provokingcollection of essays by noted writer and astrologer Ray Grasse.

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Book Synopsis''Smart, engaging and funny. It will make you question everything you think you know about what you want'' Caroline Criado Perez, author of Invisible WomenBe ambitious; find everlasting love; look after your health ... There are countless stories about how we ought to live our lives. These narratives can make our lives easier, and they might sometimes make us happier too. But they can also trap us and those around us.In Happy Ever After, bestselling happiness expert Professor Paul Dolan draws on a variety of studies ranging over wellbeing, inequality and discrimination to bust the common myths about our sources of happiness. He shows that there can be many unexpected paths to lasting fulfilment. Some of these might involve not going into higher education, choosing not to marry, rewarding acts rooted in self-interest and caring a little less about living forever.By freeing ourselves from the myth of the perfect life, we might each find a life worth living.Trade ReviewSmart, engaging and funny. . . will make you question everything you think you know about what you want -- Caroline Criado Perez, author of Invisible WomenPassionate, provocative. . . a manifesto for a better society * The Times *One of the most rigorous articulations of the new mood of acceptance. . . a persuasive demolition of many of our cultural stories about how we ought to live -- Oliver Burkeman * Guardian *A very useful antidote to the pressures of modern living. Very few books change the way you think about yourself, but this is one of them. I would particularly recommend it to young adults with all these life choices ahead of them * Tablet *Paul Dolan knows what makes people happy - and what doesn't. Happy Ever After is illuminating, wise, profound. A magnificent achievement -- Cass Sunstein, co-author of NudgeA smart and irreverent look at the bad advice, lame instructions, and missing ingredients in society's recipe for a happy life -- Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on HappinessA splendid demonstration of how conventional aspirations can make us miserable -- Richard Layard, author of HappinessA timely warning that we need to question standard assumptions about what is good for individuals and society. Dolan makes a compelling case for putting people's own perceptions of their wellbeing at the heart of policy making -- Lord Gus O’Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary

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Book SynopsisA 15th anniversary collection of The School of Life’s most popular and essential essays on self-knowledge, relationships, work and culture. The School of Life is an organisation with a focused mission at its heart: to help foster calm, self-understanding and greater emotional maturity. In celebration of The School of Life’s 15th anniversary, we have gathered together ten of our landmark essays on key topics in a collectible edition. Among these, we find: Self-Knowledge, On Confidence, What is Psychotherapy?, How to Find Love, The Sorrows of Love, Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person, Why We Hate Cheap Things, How to Reform Capitalism, The Sorrows of Work and What is Culture For? In elegant and always clear prose, the essays take us on a tour around the central topics of emotional life, leaving us enlightened, calmer and readier to greet our inevitable challenges. With a new introduction from The School of Life, this book amounts to nothing less than a concise compendium of some of the wisest things we’ll ever need to know.

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Book SynopsisFilled with beautiful full colour diagrams and illustrated throughout, Degree in a Book: Philosophy is a perfect introduction for students and laypeople alike.With mind maps for each chapter, definition boxes, easily digestible features on the history of philosophy and suggestions for further reading, it provides you with everything you need to understand the fundamental issues. Learning philosophy has never been easier.Including ideas from Aristotle and Zeno to Descartes and Wittgenstein, it covers the whole range of western thought.By the time you finish reading this book, you will be able to answer questions like:• What is truth?• What can I really know?• How can I live a moral life?• Do I have free will?ABOUT THE SERIES: Get the knowledge of a degree for the price of a book with Arcturus Publishing''s A Degree in a Book series. Written by experts in their fields, these highly visual guides feature flow charts, infographics, handy timelines, information boxes, feature spreads and margin annotations, allowing readers to get to grips with complex subjects in no time.

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Book SynopsisIan Stewart (Author) Professor Ian Stewart is the author of many popular science books. He is the mathematics consultant for New Scientist and a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick. He was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize for furthering the public understanding of science, and in 2001 became a Fellow of the Royal Society.Terry Pratchett (Author) Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling Discworld series, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. In all, he was the author of over fifty bestselling books which have sold over 100 million copies worldwide. His novels have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes, including the Carnegie Medal. He was awarded a knighthood for services to literature in 2009, although he always wryly maintained that his greatest service to literature was to avoid writing any. www.terrypratchettbooks.comJack Cohen (Author) Dr Jack Cohen is an internationally-known reproductive biologist, and lives in Newent, Gloucestershire. Jack has a laboratory in his kitchen, helps couples get pregnant by referring them to colleagues, invents biologically realistic aliens for science fiction writers and, in his spare time, throws boomerangs. Jack, who has more letters to his name than can be repeated here, writes, lectures, talks and campaigns to promote public awareness of science, particularly biology. He is mostly retired.

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Book SynopsisNo mere legends or clichés ("Herculean task," "Pandora's box," "Achilles heel," etc.), these classic stories offer profound and manifold lessons, providing the first sustained attempt to answer fundamental human questions concerning "the good life," the burden of mortality, and how to find one's place in the world.Trade Review"In this marvelously wise and expansive book, Luc Ferry argues for the primacy of Greek myth. ... Ferry writes with warmth, wit, and energy; one could call his prose conversational, but it's rare to have a conversation quite this wonderful." -- Boston Globe "With Luc Ferry as a guide, our passage through the storied landscape of Greek mythology becomes a captivating lesson in philosophy." -- Le Monde (France) "Ferry's charm as a teacher bursts through on every page." -- Wall Street Journal "A marvelously wise and expansive book. ... Ferry writes with warmth, wit, and energy; one could call his prose conversational, but it's rare to have a conversation quite this wonderful." -- Boston Globe

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Book SynopsisA delight. Popular science doesn't come much better than this' IndependentEverything you might want to know about infinity - in history and all the way to today''s cutting-edge science.Infinity is surely the strangest idea that humans have ever had. Where did it come from and what is it telling us about our Universe? Can there actually be infinities? Can you do an infinite number of things in a finite amount of time? Is the Universe infinite?Infinity is also the place where things happen that don''t. What is it like to live in a Universe where nothing is original, where you can live forever, where anything that can be done, is done, over and over again?These are some of the deep questions that the idea of the infinite pushes us to ask. Throughout history, the infinite has been a dangerous concept. Many have lost their lives, their careers, or their freedom for talking about it. The Infinite Book will take yoTrade ReviewA delight. Popular science doesn't come much better than this * Independent *Barrow brings his charm and wit to provide an account that is highly engaging * Nature *Science writing at its best. A cutting-edge scientist and a proven writer tackles a subject of infinite fascination. As page-turning as a detective story * Good Book Guide *If you enjoy a good intellectual wrestle, this book is for you * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisMurphy''s Law - popularly known as Sod''s Law - with acknowledgements to Parkinson''s Law and the Peter Principle - explains the truth of man''s existence: that if anything can go wrong, it will. In three volumes of murphology, Arthur Bloch has provided the only comfort possible - laughter - for all those who have ever been exasperated by things going wrong, with a set of rules offering a wise and witty view of the human predicament in the cosmos.Trade ReviewArthur Bloch holds up a rickety umbrella to defend himself against slates dislodged by tornadoes ... and is ... very funny * Punch *

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Book Synopsis''An erudite and charming book . . . both a primer and a paean to one of the central texts of Buddhism, known as the Heart Sutra. . . Alex Kerr delves into the Japanese soul'' Literary ReviewThe material world is itself emptiness.Emptiness is itself the material world.Powerful, mystical and concise, the Heart Sutra is believed to contain the condensed essence of all Buddhist wisdom. This brief poem on emptiness has exerted immense influence throughout Asia since the seventh century and is woven into the fabric of daily life. Yet even though it rivals the teachings of Laozi and Confucius in importance, this ancient Buddhist scripture remains barely known in the West. During the many years he has spent living in Japan, Alex Kerr has been on a quest after the secrets of the Heart Sutra. Travelling from Japan, Korea, and China, to India, Mongolia, Tibet and Vietnam, this book brings together Buddhist teaching, talks with friends and mentors, and acute cultural insights to probe the universe of thought contained within this short but intense philosophical work.''Marvellous ... a life''s work ... a brilliant literary form, weaving reflections of the sutra with those on Alex''s own magical mystery tour'' Alexandra Munroe, Asian Art scholar and curatorTrade ReviewPanoramic . . . what Kerr does so well as a writer is delve into the smaller details that other scribes overlook . . . the best books are about the reader, mindful of their wants and needs, while the author remains in the background where he or she can more effectively transmit the story and its meaning. Kerr excels at this, even while telling what is a highly personal story -- Amy Chavez * Books on Asia *Compelling, beautiful . . . Alex Kerr finds humor at the heart of wisdom and enlightenment -- J.J. O'Donoghue * Japan Times *Playful and accessible . . . superb calligraphy . . . those who loved Kerr's Lost Japan or his most recent Bangkok Found will remember, as they read this latest offering, the reasons they have enjoyed his work: Kerr's deep understanding of culture and his refined aesthetic sensibilities, qualities that allow him to capture the world he writes about in a way that is always compelling -- Leanne Ogasawara * Kyoto Journal *An erudite and charming book . . . Alex Kerr delves into the Japanese soul in Finding the Heart Sutra . . . both a primer and a paean to one of the central texts to Buddhism * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisWhy are we here? What''s the point of existence? On the ''big questions'' of meaning and purpose, Western thought has been dominated by the dichotomy of traditional religion and secular atheism. In this pioneering work, Philip Goff argues that it is time to move on from both God and atheism. Through an exploration of contemporary cosmology and cutting-edge philosophical research on consciousness, Goff argues for cosmic purpose: the idea that the universe is directed towards certain goals, such as the emergence of life.In contrast to religious thinkers, Goff argues that the traditional God is a bad explanation of cosmic purpose. Instead, he explores a range of alternative possibilities for accounting for cosmic purpose, from the speculation that we live in a computer simulation to the hypothesis that the universe itself is a conscious mind. Goff scrutinizes these options with analytical rigour, laying the foundations for a new paradigm of philosophical enquiry into the middle ground between God and atheism. Ultimately, Goff outlines a way of living in hope that cosmic purpose is still unfolding, involving political engagement and a non-literalist interpretation of traditional religion.Trade Reviewfascinating...an enjoyable read * Brian Clegg, Popular Science *It takes a sort of cosmic chutzpah to announce that your book is going to explain the purpose of the universe, and that predisposed me in its favour before I even began to read the text. But what I enjoyed most was the author's calm and level-headed approach to that fundamental question: Why? I suppose it's the question most young people begin with when they start to develop intellectual curiosity, as well as being the source of every system of religion and of science as well. Philip Goff explains that 'purpose' is not some emotional human need with little ultimate importance, but a quality that seems to be built into the very nature of things. It's nothing less than thrilling to follow his argument, and to regain that sense of connectedness that's so important not just to our well-being, but to our very survival. * Philip Pullman *This book is a tour de force. If you have ever wondered what the point is in living, whether the universe itself has any purpose (and if it does, whether that is best explained by the existence of God), why the universe exists at all for that matter, what the nature of consciousness is and how it fits into the universe as a whole, this is the book for you. Written in an engaging and easy to follow style, Goff presents a highly original, unified, and thought-provoking world view. It is rare to read anything that makes one seriously question one's basic assumptions about reality. Goff's book does just that. The result is something head spinning. I cannot recommend it highly enough. * Michael Tye, Professor of Philosophy, The University of Texas at Austin *Am I here by accident? Is there a purpose? This is contentious territory in science and philosophy. Goff offers a lucid and riveting account of key ideas, data, and theories. He then, with a rare audacity, blazes new trails. It is fascinating terrain to explore, and Goff proves an expert and genial guide. * Donald Hoffman, Professor of Cognitive Science, University of California, Irvine *The best metaphysical pictures help us fulfill three aims: give us a sense of the world and how we as human beings fit within it, provide an ethical guide, and help us make some peace with our condition. Philip Goff's brilliant new book Why? The Purpose of the Universe does all three by making a compelling case for teleological cosmopsychism. With this unique position that is neither God nor atheism, Goff gives us a glimpse of the immense creative potential of the universe. He outlines an attractive picture of spiritual belonging and practice in a godless world that is far from nihilistic. * Helen De Cruz, Danforth Chair in the Humanities, Saint Louis University *It might sound surprising, but the progress of physics, astronomy and cosmology in recent decades has raised important questions about the meaning and purpose in the universe, and of the universe. "Nature has been kinder to us than we had any right to expect", wrote Freeman Dyson in 1971, "it almost seems as if the universe must in some sense have known that we were coming". So, what now? Philip Goff has provided a discussion of these important issues that is informed, accessible, original and entertaining. This is a book worth reading, and worth thinking hard about. * Luke Barnes, Lecturer in Astronomy and Cosmology, Western Sydney University *Why? is a terrific book. For a work in philosophy, it is unusually fun to read. Goff clearly has a gift for making rigorous philosophy accessible to a broad audience. Part of his genius is the way he weaves his main arguments into a narrative about his own intellectual journey. * Paul Draper, Professor of Philosophy, Purdue University *Why? is simultaneously accessible and profound, comprehensible to the general reader and full of novel ideas sure to challenge professional philosophers. Goff offers an intriguingly weird vision of the cosmos, neither atheistic nor orthodox, pushing beyond the boundaries of both ordinary scientific thinking and ordinary religious apologetics. * Eric Schwitzgebel, Professor of Philosophy, University of California, Riverside *A brilliant book! Goff takes us to the edges of physics and philosophy to make a compelling case for cosmic purpose. The presentation is clear, innovative, and provocative. True to form, Goff's ideas are not anchored to convention or tradition, but he instead lights a torch on an original path of discovery. I came away feeling that Goff's work contributes to the purpose of the universe in a profound and beautiful way. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the big question of why we are here and what life might be about. * Josh Rasmussen, Associate Professor of Philosophy. Azusa Pacific University *What's the meaning of life? Raw science tells us we live in an uncaring universe, devoid of purpose and oblivious to the wants and needs of humans. Or does it? In this new book, Goff explores purpose in the cosmos, not a purpose rooted in religion, but in a conscious fabric of the universe itself. Whilst Goff and I have argued over the implications of cosmological fine-tuning and the statistics of typing monkeys, the contents will certainly make you think about life and its meaning. * Geraint Lewis, Professor of Astrophysics, Sydney Institute for Astronomy, the University of Sydney *One of the most persuasive panpsychists. * Stephen Fry *Why? makes a succinct, ambitious case for a new, secular view of cosmic purpose. * Isaac Randel, Foreword Reviews *Why? is designed to appeal both to a wide audience who know little about philosophy or physics and to academics who know the relevant technical terms and literature... It is an exciting and challenging book. * Richard Swinburne, TLS *An ingenious and accessible discussion of a big question we'll never answer - the reason for our existence... a rich book... It'll turn quite a few heads. * Galen Strawson, The Guardian *I would strongly recommend this book as a clear, well-argued, and undogmatic example of analytical philosophy at its best. * Keith Ward, Church Times *An original and fascinating book. * Wouter van Noort, NRC Handelsblad *Table of Contents1: What's the point of living? 2: Why science points to purpose 3: Why consciousness points to purpose 4: Why the omni-God probably doesn't exist 5: Cosmic purpose without God 6: A conscious universe 7: Living with purpose

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Book SynopsisMost of us spend our lives striving for happiness. But what is it? How important is it? How can we (and should we) pursue it? In this Very Short Introduction Dan Haybron provides a comprehensive look at the nature of happiness. By using examples, Haybron considers how we measure happiness, what makes us happy, and considers its subjective nature.Trade ReviewWelcome and erudite * Huffington Post *[T]he book is interesting, well-written and well-argued. * GrrlScientist, The Guardian *excellent * David Lorimer, Network REview *Table of Contents1. A remarkable fact ; 2. What is happiness? ; 3. Measuring happiness ; 4. Life satisfaction ; 5. The source of happiness ; 6. Beyond happiness: well-being ; 7. Getting outside oneself: virtue and meaning

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Book SynopsisBy the mercy of God I am a Christian, by my deeds a great sinner, by calling a homeless wanderer of the lowliest origins, roaming from place to place. Here, see my belongings: a bag of dry crusts on my back and the Holy Bible in my breast pocket; that''s it.In 1884 there appeared in Russia a slim volume containing four short tales. They told of a pilgrim, a lone wanderer, led by his quiet curiosity and a deep spiritual longing to undertake a lifelong journey across the land. A folk hero, a figure familiar from the works of Tolstoy and Leskov, this gentle pilgrim and his simple story would soon travel the world - and would even, much later, traverse the pages of JD Salinger''s Franny and Zooey as the ''small pea-green cloth-bound book'' that Franny keeps close in her handbag. The pilgrim''s ancient journey takes him from a city monastery through forests, fields and the steppes of Siberia. He walks by day and by night, through rains and summer months, fin

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Book SynopsisJohn Gray is the author of a number of highly regarded and controversial books, including False Dawn, Straw Dogs and, most recently, The Silence of Animals. He has taught at Oxford, Harvard, Yale and the LSE. John Banville described The Silence of Animals as 'a marvellous statement of what it is to be both an animal and a human in the strange, terrifying and exquisite world in which we straw dogs find ourselves'.Trade ReviewA generous and energising tumble of ideas...he is inventive and penetrating -- Galen Strawson * Financial Times *Like Isaiah Berlin with a thing for sci-fi -- Tibor Fischer * The Spectator *We might believe that we are on a voyage towards a future of perfect freedom, but Gray is here to tell us that we are really only going round in circles, repeating ancient heresies, and retelling old myths in modern cant -- Stephen Cave * Literary Review *Gray must be one of the best read of contemporary philosophers, trawling insouciantly through high-, middle- and low-brow literature with the sharp-eyed eclecticism of a magpie of genius -- John Banville * The Guardian *A brain-twisting meditation on freedom...a brief, elliptical inquiry designed to raise more questions than anyone could answer * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book Synopsis''Engaging, smart and wise, Mini-Philosophy is a diverse taster menu of ideas on life, the mind and the world. Nutritious, bite-sized portions of philosophy that whet the appetite for more'' - David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas and The Bone ClocksWhy do people enjoy watching scary movies? Should we bet on the existence of God? Why is pleasure better than pain? And when is a duck not a duck? Mini Philosophy is a fascinating journey into what some of the greatest minds of the last 2500 years have to say about the big questions in life, and why they are relevant to us today. Covering everything from Sun Tzu''s strategy for winning at board games to Freud''s insights into our ''death drive''; why De Beauvoir believed the mothering instinct is a myth to why Schopenhauer probably wasn''t much fun at parties, these mini meditations will expand your mind (and bend it too).Trade ReviewEngaging, smart and wise, Mini-Philosophy is a diverse taster menu of ideas on life, the mind and the world. Nutritious, bite-sized portions of philosophy that whet the appetite for more. * David Mitchell *A neat idea, deftly executed. If this doesn't light your philosophical fuse, you don't have one. * Julian Baggini *A joyfully playful and thought-provoking capsule encyclopedia of philosophical ideas, from Aristotle to Alan Turing, pondering on the nature of self, how we see and understand the world, and the delusions we use to comfort ourselves. An Epicurean delight. * Mick Brown *Lively, sharp and wide-ranging, a sparky bite-sized companion for the wilds and wilderness of philosophy * Eleanor Gordon-Smith *

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Book SynopsisNUMBER ONE BESTSELLER'A beautiful book of great tenderness, love of life, and wisdom' JOSEPH O'CONNORFor almost fifty years, Michael Harding has been crafting words in a bid to express himself and to explore truths about the human condition. But even still he found himself unable to say certain things he really wanted to. Then, while in recovery from surgery, he travelled to a cottage on the Atlantic coast and thought again about life and the people who had profoundly affected him over the years: mentors, loves and old friends.There at the ocean he wrote letters, with an intimacy not previously risked. Letters that would never be posted but that appear now in All the Things Left Unsaid - a vulnerable and beautifully wrought collection of insights into life, death, friendship and love.PRAISE FOR MICHAEL HARDING'S BOOKSHilarious, and tender ... and always beautifully written' Kevin Barry'Often funny, occasionally disturbing ... Harding has peeled back his soul and held it out on the palm of his hand for all to see' Christine Dwyer Hickey'It's rare for a memoir to demand such intense emotional involvement and rarer still for it to be so fully rewarded' The Sunday Times 'Searingly honest ... Harding's narrative seems to rest on the pulse of Ireland' The Irish Times

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