Popular philosophy Books

Book SynopsisWe all have the power to transform our lives from the inside out by simply slowing down.Resting is one of the most impactful practices we can adopt for self-compassion, emotional well-being, collective care, and environmental repair. When we take a few moments each day to pause, we are reclaiming the innate wisdom within our bodies and within the natural world: the wisdom of rest.Permission to Rest is a timely manifesto and compassionate call to action. It is an invitation for you to pause, look inward, learn to feel your own rhythms, and value rest as a deeply healing, empowering, and spiritual way of life. This book is a revolutionary reminder that we have the power to transform our lives, our communities, and our planet from the inside out. It comes at a time when many of us are urgently being called to do so.Trade Review‘Ashley Neese is such a special teacher—and you can feel her calming, beautiful presence throughout these pages. She’s exactly the person you want to show you how to truly rest.’ Gwyneth Paltrow, founder and CEO of goop ‘In my telehealth functional medicine clinic, I see all the time the negative impact chronic stress can have on a person’s physical health. And as a self-proclaimed JOMO (joy of missing out) enthusiast, Neese’s book shows us why slowing down is so important and exactly how to do so in a way that facilitates true rest and growth. It’s the guide we didn’t know we so desperately needed.’ Dr. Will Cole, functional medicine expert, and author of New York Times bestseller, Intuitive Fasting and Gut Feelings ‘Ashley’s approach to rest is a natural extension to her approach to breathwork, it's a simple invitation to invite more softness into your life – whenever you're ready.’ Erica Chidi, Co-founder and CEO of LOOM

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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 SynopsisFeatures numbers that define the essence of the Universe. They tell us how strong its forces are, and what its fundamental laws can do: the strength of gravity, of magnetism, the speed of light and the masses of the smallest particles of matter. They express our greatest knowledge and our greatest ignorance about the cosmos.Trade ReviewHis appeal lies in a winning way with historical anecdote and apt quotation and a forceful eloquence * Sunday Telegraph *A distinguished cosmologist * Sunday Times *Barrow is a fantastic storyteller. The book is full of wonderful moments, vignettes that you will want to remember * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisHow do you begin to understand the concept of nothing? Where does it begin and where does it end?From the zeros of the mathematician to the void of the philosophers, from Shakespeare to the empty set, from the ether to the quantum vacuum, from being and nothingness to creatio ex nihilo, there is much ado about nothing at the heart of things. Recent exciting discoveries in astronomy are shown to shed new light on the nature of the vacuum and its dramatic effect upon the explanation of the Universe. This remarkable book ranges over every nook and cranny of nothingness to reveal how the human mind has had to make something of nothing in every field of human enquiry.Trade ReviewThe startling story of the West's intellectual struggle with the concept of zero is told with admirable elegance and clarity * New Statesman *When it comes to explaining the trickiest ideas John Barrow goes the extra mile which helps you to understand when going on * Guardian *An entertaining and informative account of how the zero came into being in ancient civilisations such as the Babylonian and Egyptian...I am happy to report that nothing is full of interesting reading * New Scientist *

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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 SynopsisIn The Quest for Meaning: Developing a Philosophy of Pluralism, Tariq Ramadan embarks on a journey to uncover the profound truths that bind us together. In a world so full of different beliefs and viewpoints, how can we find peace in our shared humanity? Acclaimed thinker and philosopher Tariq Ramadan explores universal ideas such as love, respect, truth and tolerance, and examines questions such as how can men and women relate to each other? What is the true nature of equality? What does ''civilization'' really mean? In doing so, he opens our minds to a new view of humanity. Whether we are Christian or Buddhist, Jewish or Muslim, secularist or believer, he reveals that all traditions of thought spring from the same place, and guides us to see past what divides us and discover the beauty of what we have in common. This book has resonance for all of us, showing why, eventually, all different spiritual paths lead to the human heart.Trade ReviewTariq Ramadan is a Muslim Martin Luther * Washington Post *One of the most important innovators for the twenty-first century * Time *The work of Tariq Ramadan will take its place in the annals of Islamic thought * Le Monde Diplomatique *

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Book SynopsisFrench culture is unique in that philosophy has played a significant role from the early-modern period onwards, intimately associated with political, religious, and literary debates, as well as with epistemological and scientific ones. While Latin was the language of learning there was a universal philosophical literature, but with the rise of vernacular literatures things changed and a distinctive national form of philosophy arose in France. This Very Short Introduction covers French philosophy from its origins in the sixteenth century up to the present, analysing it within its social, political, and cultural context. Beginning with psychology and epistemology, Stephen Gaukroger and Knox Peden then move onto the emergence of radical philosophy in the eighteenth century, before considering post-revolutionary philosophy in the nineteenth century, philosophy in the world wars, the radical thought of the 1960s, and finally French philosophy today. Throughout, they explore the dilemma sustained by the markedly national conception of French philosophy, and its history of speaking out on matters of universal concern. 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.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements 1: Introduction 2: The Origins of French Philosophy 3: Radical Philosophy: the Eighteenth Century 4: Post-Revolutionary Philosophy: the Nineteenth Century and the Third Republic 5: Philosophy in Wartime: Phenomenology and Existentialism 6: Restless Times: Structuralism and Post-Structuralism 7: French Philosophy Today: Competing Ambitions 8: Conclusion References and Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisWas love invented by European poets in the Middle Ages or is it part of human nature? Will winning the lottery really make you happy? Is it possible to build robots that have feelings? In this Very Sort Introduction Dylan Evans explores these and many other intriguing questions in this guide to the latest thinking about the emotions. Drawing on a wide range of scientific research, from anthropology and psychology to neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Evans takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the human heart, discussing the evolution of emotions and their biological basis, the science of happiness, and the role that emotions play in memory and decision making. Greeted by critics as a pop science classic when it was first published in 2001, the book has now been thoroughly revised and updated to incorporate new developments in our understanding of emotions, including new sections addressing the neural basis of empathy and the emotional impact of films. 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.Table of Contents1: The universal language 2: Why Spock could never have evolved 3: Short cuts to happiness 4: The head and the heart 5: The computer that cried Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for a happier working life in 2025! From the million-copy bestselling author of The Little Book of Hygge, comes a beautifully designed guide on how to get more out of work and live like the happiest people in the world: the Danish.''A wonderful book'' Chris EvansWe often look to the Danish lifestyle as a utopia: they enjoy long summer holidays and the cosiest, hyggelig winters, but their happiness isn't just limited to their free time. Almost two thirds report high job satisfaction, and 58% say they would continue working even if they won the lottery.But what exactly are the ingredients of happiness at work? And how can we live more like that?Meik Wiking, the world's favourite happiness expert, is back with more of his wise-yet-simple insightful advice on nurturing a sense of purpose, building trust between you and your manager and enjoying freedom in your role. Backed by his research and designed with his trademark style, this book is sure to improve your happiness.We will spend around a third of our lives at work, so why not feel happier while we do it?''Such a lovely book'' Ranvir Singh, on Lorraine

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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 SynopsisThere are about 130 million books in the world – and they are being added to at a rate of 4 million a year or so. Which ones, therefore, should we really read? What are the books that count? Which ones are going to make a real difference to us in the limited time we have? This is The School of Life's answer: a definitive list of the 100 books that we feel should truly matter to anyone who cares about their development and growth, a 100 books that are guaranteed to inspire, console and uplift us. We find books from all over the world, some very well known, others fascinatingly unfamiliar, united by a common ability to help us grow into the best versions of ourselves and to combat anxiety, despair and loneliness. This book answers one of the great questions we all face: how to assemble the perfect set of books with which we can acquire self-understanding, calm and emotional maturity; how to build ourselves a true library for happiness.

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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 SynopsisHow should I live?What is my purpose? Can I find happiness?Ever felt as though life would be simpler if it came with an instruction manual? There are no easy answers to the big questions. And life does not follow a straight path from A to B.Since the beginning of time, people have asked questions about how they should live and, from Ancient Greece to Japan, philosophers have attempted to solve these questions for us. The timeless wisdom that they offer can help us to find our own path. In this insightful, engaging book, renowned existential psychotherapist and philosophical counsellor Antonia Macaro and bestselling philosopher Julian Baggini cover topics such as bereavement, luck, free will and relationships, and guide us through what the greatest thinkers to ever walk the earth have to say on these subjects, from the Stoics to Sartre.Discover advice from the world's greatest thinkers on questions like:Is there a right way to grieve?What is free will?How can we learn from past mistakes?Do we make our own luck?Trade ReviewAn absolute joy ... This fascinating book is as close as you'll get to hiring history's wisest minds as your personal life advisers * Oliver Burkeman, author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking *An inspired navigation tool for the maze of existence * Robin Ince, author of I'm a Joke and So Are You: Reflections on Humour and Humanity *As we all know, life doesn't come with an instruction manual. But Baggini's and Macaro's book, building on the wisdom of thousands of years of philosophy, comes pretty close to it. * Massimo Pigliucci, author of The Stoic Guide to a Happy Life *

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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 SynopsisExistentialism is backCarpe diem – ‘seize the day’ – is one of the oldest pieces of life advice in Western history. But its true spirit has been hijacked by ad men and self-help gurus, reduced to the instant hit of one-click online shopping, or slogans like ‘live in the now’. We need to reclaim it to make sense of our complex, confusing times.The last great expression of carpe diem was in the electrifying existential philosophy of the 1940s. Today it’s an idea that challenges us to confront our mortality and live with greater passion and intention rather than scroll mindlessly on our phones or allow freedom to become a mere choice between brands. In Carpe Diem Regained,Roman Krznaric reinvents existentialism for our age of information and choice overload. An essential and empowering work of contemporary philosophy, the book unveils the surprising ways of seizing the day that humankind has discovered over the centuries, ones we urgently need to revive.Carpe diem is the Nexistentialism for our times.Trade Review"I’ve started reading Roman Krznaric’s Carpe Diem Regained: The Vanishing Art of Seizing the Day – and it’s brilliant. One of those rare books that forces you to ask what the hell you’re doing with your life." -- George Monbiot * Guardian *"I have always been inspired by carpe diem so I'm delighted to have your book." -- Dame Judi Dench"With more than ever distracting us, it’s an insightful guide to staying foc – er, what did you want?" -- Best Books for Summer * Forbes *"A rather wonderful new book is trying to seize back the noble art of day-seizing." -- Viv Groskop * The Pool *"As always Roman takes a unique look at the world we’ve created. Insightful and thought provoking." -- Tim Lovejoy

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Book SynopsisAs politics slides toward impulsivity, and outrage bests rationality, how can philosophy help us critically engage with the world? How to Think Like A Philosopher is a revelatory exploration of the methods, tenets and attitudes of thought that guide philosophy, and how they can be applied to our own lives. Drawing on decades of enquiry and a huge range of interviews, Julian Baggini identifies twelve key principles that promote incisive thinking. Pay attention; question everything; seek clarity, not certainty: these are just a few of philosophy's guiding maxims which can be applied to everything from understanding the impact of climate change to correctly appraising our own temperaments. Both a fresh introduction to philosophy covering canonical and contemporary philosophers, and an essential, practical guide to good thinking, How to Think Like a Philosopher shows us the way to a more humane, balanced and rational approach to thinking, to politics, and to life.Trade ReviewIn lively and engaging prose, the book distills some of history's most important philosophical ideas... An important book * Herald *A complete treat: a big breath of fresh air and a bracing detox for our beleaguered, battered brains -- Derren Brown[An] excellent and often witty primer on the art, or aspiration, of thinking clearly and logically and ethically * Irish Times *If more philosophers wrote with the power and elegance Julian Baggini achieves in this book, more of us would learn to think like them. Well, now we can! -- Richard HollowayBaggini is an engaging writer and his arguments are ornamented with references to popular culture and current affairs, scraps of intellectual history and a range of relatable personal experiences * TLS *A welcome balm. Julian Baggini writes with clarity and humour. And most importantly, he doesn't get bogged down in theory but offers practical instructions on how to think and question, more constructively -- Ritula ShahA guide to slowing down, living better and thinking * Idler *An urgently needed guide to clear thinking, brought to life by a cast of our finest philosophers and illuminated by his gentle, humane, and accessible writing. Essential reading, both for making sense of a confusing world, and for living your everyday life. I'll be returning to this brilliant book again and again -- Anil SethAnother brilliant, engaging and highly readable account by Julian Baggini aimed at that most difficult of tasks - helping us all to think, and encouraging us to find the right answers by asking the right questions. Simply superb -- Gavin Esler

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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 SynopsisIn Why Grow Up, the latest volume in the Philosophy in Transit series, world-renowned philosopher Susan Neiman looks at growing up as an ideal with urgent relevance todayBecoming an adult today can seem a grim prospect. As you grow up, you are told to renounce most of the hopes and dreams of your youth, and resign yourself to a life that will be a pale dilution of the adventurous, important and enjoyable life you once expected. But who wants to do any of that? No wonder we live in a culture of rampant immaturity, argues internationally-renowned philosopher Susan Neiman, when maturity looks so boring.In Why Grow Up, Neiman explores the forces that are arrayed against maturity, and shows how philosophy can help us want to grow up. Travel, both literally and as a metaphor, has been seen as a crucial step to coming of age by thinkers as diverse as Kant, Rousseau, Hume and Simone de Beauvoir. Neiman discusses childhood, adolescence, sex, and culture,Trade ReviewAn excellent work ... Parts are as thought-provoking as reading Kant himself - and a damned sight easier * Independent *Exemplary ... Genuinely subversive -- A. O. Scott * New York Times *A spirited defence of the aspiration to maturity. As Neiman sagely observes, by clinging impotently to youth, we impoverish youth and maturity alike . . . Neiman is an impassioned and lucid expositor of some very recondite concepts, with that rare ability . . . to convey the continued relevance and urgency of philosophy for our distracted times -- Josh Cohen * Guardian *[Neiman] is not only a fine analyst but an acute stylist too, both scintillating and self-disciplined - a very rare thing in a philosopher -- Jonathan Ree * Times Literary Supplement *This elegant and accessible book is the philosophical kick up the arse my generation desperately needs -- Tom Slater * Spiked *To the barricades, armed with reason: Susan Neiman makes the case for toppling society's infantilism. Plumbing the depths of philosophy, she has written the most important book of the hour -- Katrin Schuhmacher * MDR Figaro *Neiman makes the case not only for thinking but for political engagement. Her passion eliminates any sort of pedantry -- Birgit Schmidt * Tagesanzeiger *The way Neiman interprets the Kantian idea of growing up - that of a never-ending task - has something subversive, and that's almost enough to make one young again -- Peter Praschl * Die Welt *Neiman's view on using philosophy to guide ourselves into adulthood is a wonderful example of how the writings of past philosophers can be applied to our current lives. Her writing is accessible for those without a background in philosophy, and her book is a pleasant introduction to those unfamiliar with Kant and Rousseau -- Scott Duimstra * Library Journal *[A] small book of big ideas -- Kate Tuttle * Boston Globe *Beautiful and luminous -- James WoodPhilosophy doesn't get much better than this ... Neiman's sense of humour is a plus, but her greatest strength is her ability to distill centuries of thought to their essence, provoking her readers along the way. Neiman convincingly makes the case that growing up is not tantamount to "inevitable decline," and that the hard work to make maturity fulfilling is worth the effort * Publishers Weekly *Philosopher Susan Neiman restores some measure of sanity to the discussion of age, infantilism, "growing up," and all of its attendant fussing. Hopefully this considered, often brilliant book will shape the discourse on maturity for the foreseeable future -- Jonathan Sturgeon * Flavorwire *Neiman's view on using philosophy to guide ourselves into adulthood is a wonderful example of how the writings of past philosophers can be applied to our current lives. Her writing is accessible for those without a background in philosophy, and her book is a pleasant introduction to those unfamiliar with Kant and Rousseau -- Scott Duimstra * Library Journal *Neiman's book is a pleasure to read because she writes well and thinks lucidly and because her values are invigorating -- Vivian Gornick * Boston Review *This is the most positive description of adulthood I have ever encountered. One that is about strength and thought, not about the sage bodycon or even the houses and children. We can get there. Are you ready yet? -- Anna Fielding * Emerald Street *Stirring stuff . . . [Neiman is] impassioned and thorough, alive with curiosity, devilishly well read, fairminded, and funny. Her writing is strongest when she employs her good humour and graciousness . . . The philosophers' calls to grow up, and grow up well, are frequent, and in Neiman's hands surprising and moving -- Katie Haegele * Philly.com *Star philosopher Susan Neiman makes a stand for maturity, and that is refreshing * de Volkskrant *Wonderful . . . Surely a small treasure every bit as interesting as Bertrand Russell's gem What is Philosophy? * Wichita Eagle *Neiman knows how to keep philosophy fresh and contemporary * De Standaard *Neiman comes as a welcome relief in the confusing sea of thinkers. Her language is natural and familiar and her style simple and smooth. She has a keen insight into the history of thought ... She makes us see Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant in a completely new light ... This is a book on parenting as much as it is a book about rereading Enlightenment. Philosophy has for once become readable and more importantly, enjoyable. Recommended for anyone interested in human life * Prabuddha Bharata *

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Book SynopsisThirty leading women philosophers draw on and advance the rich heritage of the philosophical tradition to explore topics of pressing interest for today.Women of Ideas is edited by Suki Finn, based upon interviews by David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton, from Philosophy Bites, the world''s foremost philosophy podcast. These conversations illuminate diverse aspects of being human: personal, social, ethical, and political. The contributors discuss the relations between humans and animals, between genders, between tastes, between cultures, and between nations. They look at some of the things that are wrong with our world, such as injustice, deprivation, and bias; they consider the role of civility, trust, and consent in our interactions. There are reflections on the history of philosophy from Plato to Beauvoir, comparisons between Western philosophy and Buddhist philosophy, and discussion of philosophy in Africa. The volume concludes by investigating how philosophy works, how it makes progresTrade ReviewThe interviews are expertly edited to make them clear and accessible, while remaining rigorous and intellectually rich. Both the seasoned philosopher and someone who has never picked up a philosophy book before will learn a great deal. * Rebecca Buxton, Times Higher Education *A highly informative volume. * David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer *Enlightening work... the interviewees do an admirable job of communicating their ideas with clarity and conveying why these issues should matter to a layperson. Those interested in dipping their toes into philosophical waters would do well to peruse these bite-size takes. * Publishers Weekly *Table of ContentsAnecdotes Interviews Amia Srinivasan: What is a Woman? Janet Radcliffe Richards: Men's and Women's Natures Patricia Smith Churchland: What neuroscience can teach us about morality Christine M. Korsgaard: The Status of Animals Ashwini Vasanthakumar: Do victims have obligations too? Miranda Fricker: Blame and Historic Injustice Kimberley Brownlee: Social Deprivation Sarah Fine: The Right to Exclude Anne Phillips: Multiculturalism and Liberalism Jennifer Saul: Implicit Bias Martha C. Nussbaum: Disgust Elisabeth Schellekens: Disagreement about Taste Emma Borg: Language and Context Rebecca Roache: Swearing Teresa M. Bejan: Civility Katherine Hawley: Trustworthiness Onora O'Neill: Medical Consent Katalin Farkas: Knowing a Person Jennifer Nagel: Intuitions about Knowledge Susan James: Michel Foucault and Knowledge Kate Kirkpatrick: The Life and Work of Simone de Beauvoir Katherine J. Morris: Merleau-Ponty on the Body Alison Gopnik: Hume and Buddhism Katrin Flikschuh: Philosophy in Africa Angie Hobbs: Plato on War Helen Beebee: Possible Worlds Tamar Szabó Gendler: Why Philosophers use Examples Rebecca Newberger Goldstein: Progress in Philosophy Mary Warnock: Philosophy and Public Life Biographies

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Book Synopsis''A fun, fascinating, and original book that will challenge you to become a better version of yourself''Daniel H. Pink, author of DriveWhat does it take to be truly happy? Should we pursue fame and fortune or the respect of our friends and family? How can we make the world a better place? Two hundred and fifty years ago, Adam Smith addressed these fundamental questions in his life-long project, The Theory of Modern Sentiments.Dwarfed by the success of Smith''s masterpiece The Wealth of Nations, The Theory of Modern Sentiments has been virtually forgotten. But when Russ Roberts finally picked up the epic tome, he realized he''d stumbled upon the greatest self-help book that almost no one has read.In How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, Roberts reinvigorates the neglected classic to unearth a treasure trove of timeless, practical wisdom that cuts to the core of what it means to be human. It will challenge you to think about the way you treat others, the decisions you make in pursuit of happiness, and your place in the world.Trade ReviewRoberts whisks the reader through Smith's "hidden gem" and skilfully blends modern examples with Smith's original, leaving you wanting to tackle his masterpiece * Financial Times *[Adam Smith's] moral values are rather neglected ... Happily, Russ Roberts has digested, condensed and commented upon Smith's theories of the good life ... the pursuit of happiness is not the pursuit of money * The Times *A great book. Makes you feel better about life, humanity, and yourself. Like having a conversation and a scotch with Adam Smith, or even better, Russ Roberts -- Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan'Can economists teach us how to live a good life? When the economists in question are Adam Smith and Russ Roberts, the answer is a definitive yes. Roberts shines a fresh light on Smith's ideas about morality and human nature and finds they hold up remarkably well in the 21st century. A fun, fascinating, and original book that will challenge you to become a better version of yourself' -- Daniel H. Pink, author of DriveAdam Smith was not just an economist; he had penetrating insights into human nature that informed his rich, subtle, and rev­olutionary approach to moral philosophy. Russ Roberts combines a deep understanding of what Smith was on about with a fluent writing style to bring out the surprisingly modern implications of Smith's thinking -- Matt Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist'Russ Roberts has taken a brilliant but difficult classic - Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments - and written an engaging and inspiring meditation on virtue, friendship, and happiness. The result is a won­derful guide to living a good life' -- Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind

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Book SynopsisWhether you are struggling with self-doubt or lacking purpose, these 76 short motivational lessons from the multiple world-record holder, Josh Patterson, will give you the boost you need.When Josh set out to break the world record and run 76 marathons around the UK's 76 cities in 76 days he knew it would be a test of determination and resilience, but he hadn''t realised that his past struggles would provide the real strength he needed to cross the finish line. Having suffered with depression and come close to suicide in the past, Josh ran to raise money for the Samaritans and as he ran through the wind and rain, sometimes with crowds of supporters, sometimes alone, he often drew upon the memories of his darkest days to spur him on, knowing that there were happier times ahead. This is a collection of the 76 powerful lessons that fuelled Josh to reach the finish line and will inspire you to reach yours, whatever that might look like including:Me

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Book SynopsisA philosopher considers entertainment, in all its totalizing variety—infotainment, edutainment, servotainment—and traces the notion through Kant, Zen Buddhism, Heidegger, Kafka, and Rauschenberg.In Good Entertainment, Byung-Chul Han examines the notion of entertainment—its contemporary ubiquity, and its philosophical genealogy. Entertainment today, in all its totalizing variety, has an apparently infinite capacity for incorporation: infotainment, edutainment, servotainment, confrontainment. Entertainment is held up as a new paradigm, even a new credo for being—and yet, in the West, it has had inescapably negative connotations. Han traces Western ideas of entertainment, considering, among other things, the scandal that arose from the first performance of Bach's Saint Matthew's Passion (deemed too beautiful, not serious enough); Kant's idea of morality as duty and the entertainment value of moralistic literature; Heidegger's idea of the thi

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Book SynopsisA gentle, nurturing guide that offers a question for each day of the year to provide readers with the tools to remember who they are, why they are here and how they can create a rich and meaningful life.

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Book SynopsisThe alternate self is a persistent theme of modern culture. From Robert Frost to Sharon Olds, Virginia Woolf to Ian McEwan, poets and novelists—and readers—are fascinated by paths not taken. In an elegant and provocative rumination, Andrew H. Miller lingers with other selves, listening to what they have to say about our stories and our lives.Trade ReviewAn expertly curated tour of regret and envy in literature…By approaching regret and envy from multiple angles, Miller’s insightful and moving book—both in his own discussion and in the tales he recounts—gently nudges us toward consolation. Yes, we might live only one among countless possible lives, and those we haven’t lived will haunt us. But, as Miller notes in conclusion, at least we have had the chance to live the one life that has been given to us. * Wall Street Journal *Counts the ways in which narratives of unlived lives can examine or come to terms with the present…Miller believes, in short, that stories of unled lives make real life livelier…[A] capacious book. -- Daisy Hildyard * Times Literary Supplement *Miller is charming company, both humanly and intellectually. He is onto something: the theme of unled lives, and the fascinating idea that fiction intensifies the sense of provisionality that attends all lives. An extremely attractive book. -- James WoodOn Not Being Someone Else reminds us just how alluring and confounding our singularity is and how, through literature, we make sense of being ourselves. To be someone—to be anyone—is about being someone and not being someone else. Miller’s amused and inspired book is utterly compelling about this, and about so much else. -- Adam Phillips, author of One Way and Another: New and Selected EssaysA compendium of expressions of wonder over what might have been…We have unled lives for all sorts of reasons: because we make choices; because society constrains us; because events force our hands; most of all, because we are singular individuals, becoming more so with time…Swept up in our real lives, we quickly forget about the unreal ones. Still, there will be moments when, for good or ill, we feel confronted by our unrealized possibilities. -- Joshua Rothman * New Yorker *I wish I had written this book—a wish that is surely the best response to reading it… Cosmic metaphysical speculation is combined with, and conveyed through, meticulous analysis of pictures, poems, novels and films…Examining art’s capacity to transfix, multiply, and compress, this book is itself a work of art. -- Jane O’Grady * Times Higher Education *Excellent…For Miller, imagining who we might have been or once were, or who we might yet become, is anything but frivolous…In spirited and incisive close readings of texts like Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken,’ Carl Dennis’s ‘The God Who Loves You,’ and Ian McEwan’s Atonement (among many, many others), Miller pursues this slippery, elusive meaning and the many questions it leaves unanswered…The idea of unled lives could hardly be more resonant…How many literary scholars today write so engagingly? -- Morten Høi Jensen * Commonweal *Shows that the idea of lives unled is stitched into works of art across genres and across centuries, making clear that the stories we tell are often rooted in considering alternatives to the choices we’ve made. -- Linda Levitt * PopMatters *A book of admirable insight and sensitivity…Throughout this quiet, engrossing book, Miller aptly reveals the uncanny mesmerism of the unlived life, of the untaken road—our very modern preoccupation with who we are not…This is a text fresh and alive with the power and mystery of art, steeped in feeling, and, like life itself, resplendent with possibilities as yet unrealized, with knowledge not yet known. -- Alexandre Leskanich * Philosophy Now *Wonderfully lucid about murky questions of what might have been…Both literature specialists, who will appreciate Miller’s breadth of examples, and general readers, who can enjoy the universal topics he explores, will find much food for thought in this pleasant work. * Publishers Weekly *A strong, pleasing work that is as much about living as about reading and writing. * Kirkus Reviews *Fascinating. -- David Aaronovitch * The Times *What a provocative book! It is interesting and alive on every page, and entertaining the idea of a different life is a profound experience. -- Michael Gorra, author of Portrait of a Novel: Henry James and the Making of an American MasterpieceMiller’s book is a poetics of the unled life, a poetics of ‘what if…’ Through poems, novels, films, philosophy, and psychoanalysis—the texts of our modernity—Miller leads us to profound questions about the imagination, the self and identity, history, marriage, children, regret, atonement, storytelling, and the ethics of choice. Above all, he makes us feel the pressure and immediacy of possibility, the road not taken. -- Isobel Armstrong, author of Novel Politics: Democratic Imaginations in Nineteenth-Century FictionA one-of-a-kind book that is at once literary and personal, drawing us into a world of reflection about lives we have not lived. Why do we return to the past to understand who we are now? This is a profound question, and this book explores possible answers more acutely than anything I have seen on the subject. -- Garry L. Hagberg, author of Describing Ourselves: Wittgenstein and Autobiographical ConsciousnessA thoughtful, generous, amusing, tender, meandering, self-deprecating, wistful, even reverent style of thinking about our lives in relation to the stories we read. -- Matthew Rubery * Public Books *Blend[s] literary criticism and personal essay into a beguiling hybrid…Will remain widely compelling for a long time to come, not only because of [its] many discrete merits, but because of [its] readership’s new intimacy with the ‘unled lives’ of lockdown and quarantine. -- Elizabeth Brogden * Journal of Victorian Culture *Deeply reflective and at the same time uncommonly readable…Although no book of literary criticism can be accused of being a page turner, On Not Being Someone Else comes close. * Choice *[A] marvelous, melancholic, middle-aged meditation on the meaning of lives unled…Miller is a profoundly gifted close reader—someone whose company one would like to keep, and return to again and again. -- David LaRocca * Victorian Studies *

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Book SynopsisThe number one bestseller in France and Italy, from Françoise Héritier, The Sweetness of Life is a beautiful and poetic list of the everyday reasons that make life worth livingIf you assume an average life expectancy of 85 years, and deduct the hours we spend daily on sleeping, shopping, eating, working, tending to our relationships and on everything else that is obligatory, then how much time is left for the average person to enjoy those activities that are the sweetness of life? For Françoise Héritier, it is those activities, those moments that make up pure sensuality, the actual experience of humanity. These are the moments we all cherish: wild laughter, coffee in the sun, the bliss of fresh autumn evenings, running in warm rain, long conversations at twilight, kisses on the back of the neck, the moment when all nature falls silent, those times when you know that someone likes you, is looking at you and listening to you, cooking a complicated dish, feeling agile anTrade ReviewA series of perceptions, sensations, eddies, and happiness of writing that gives a real intensity to the existence . . . a true wonder -- Laure Adler

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