Popular philosophy Books

Book SynopsisIn his engaging book, Jules Evans explains how ancient philosophy saved his life, and how we can all use it to become happier, wiser and more resilient. Jules imagines a dream school, which includes 12 of the greatest and most colourful thinkers the world has ever known. Each of these ancient philosophers teaches a technique we can use to transform ourselves and live better lives. These practical techniques are illustrated by the extraordinary stories of real people who are using them today - from marines to magicians, from astronauts to anarchists and from CBT psychologists to soldiers. Jules also explores how ancient philosophy is inspiring modern communities - Socratic cafes, Stoic armies, Platonic sects, Sceptic summer camps - and even whole nations in their quest for the good life.Trade ReviewAn important book, because it reminds us philosophy is not just about analysis. It's also about the good life. -- Matthew Syed * Times books of the year *Instructive and thought-provoking...shows philosophy is not just for stuffy classrooms * Financial Times *This wonderful book shows how modern psychology is consistent with the best that was thought and known in the Ancient World...also beautifully written * Lord Richard Layard, author, Happiness: Lessons From A New Science *A revelation -- Alexander Linklater * Observer *Hugely enjoyed Philosophy for Life. Am an avid fan of classical philosophy & this book applies it thoroughly & beautifully. -- Derren Brown

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Book SynopsisThis fascinating book charts the relationship between Mark Rowlands, a rootless philosopher, and Brenin, his extraordinarily well-travelled wolf. More than just an exotic pet, Brenin exerted an immense influence on Rowlands as both a person, and, strangely enough, as a philosopher, leading him to re-evaluate his attitude to love, happiness, nature and death. By turns funny (what do you do when your wolf eats your air-conditioning unit?) and poignant, this life-affirming classic of popular philosophy will make you reappraise what it means to be human.Trade ReviewThis year's most original and instructive work of popular philosophy ... a remarkable portrait of the bond that can exist between a human being and a beast ... [Rowlands is] a rare contemporary philosopher who is able to learn from everything he experiences in life, not just books and academic journals. That is what makes The Philosopher and the Wolf so refreshing * Financial Times *An extraordinary memoir * Daily Mail *A powerfully subversive critique of the unexamined assumption that shape the way most philosophers - along with most people - think about animals and themselves * Literary Review *Nothing short of human existence, survival and our relationship to all other creatures is examined here and it's all written in a beautifully elegiac way. The heart-strings will be pulled and the mind stimulated * City AM *The Philosopher and the Wolf has been one of the most intense reading experiences of my life. There is hardly a sentence in the book that did not engage me, stop me, make me think. It is a profound and beautiful book -- Jeffrey MassonAn absolute stunner of a book. Impossible not to be moved by the painfully personal narrative and the depth of reflection. Just enthralling and unputdownable -- Professor Andrew Linzey * Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics *Mark Rowlands has given us that rarest of things - a book that takes the reader beyond the human world, while exploring the deepest human emotions. This moving account of the life he lived with an adopted wolf will be recognized as a seminal work of philosophy that forces us to re-evaluate our view of the human animal -- John GrayThe Philosopher and the Wolf is a wonderful book. It's rare that a professor lets his hair down and weaves sentiment, heart, and love into deeper and supposedly more objective academic issues. Mark Rowlands does just this and I will be sharing his book widely -- Marc Bekoff, author of WILD JUSTICE: THE MORAL LIVES OF ANIMALSRarely has a single animal inspired such deep reflections on morality, mortality, and misanthropy ... a human memoir that reads like a tormented love affair with its animal star -- Frans de Waal, author of OUR INNER APEExtraordinary work of popular philosophy in which the author of Everything I Know I Learned From TV describes what he learned about life, the universe and everything while living with an adopted wolf, Brenin, at his side * The Bookseller *This book is about ... the fundamental questions of love, happiness, morality and human existence -- Lucy Hope * Big Issue in the North *A remarkably touching tale of nature, humanity and the potential for each to transform the other -- James Crabtree * New Humanist *An unusual little book ... It is perhaps best described as the autobiography of an idea, or rather a set of related ideas, about the relationship between human and non-human animals -- Jonathan Derbyshire * Guardian *A powerfully subversive critique of the unexamined assumptions that shape the way most philosophers - along with most people - think about animals and themselves -- John Gray * Literary Review *Rowlands' clarity of thought and his honesty ... are what make one's hitching a ride on this journey a mostly intriguing and seamless ride -- Tom Adair * Scotland on Sunday *A meditation on what it means to be lupine and how it reflects the human -- Janice Galloway * Scotsman *The book takes varyingly interesting diversions into philosophical territory ... Rowlands does a good job (with the help of Nietzsche) of questioning our attitude towards death -- Keith Ridgway * Daily Telegraph *Rowland's memoir is life-affirming, engrossing, thoughtful and moving ... The Philosopher and the Wolf could become a philosophical cult classic -- Mark Vernon * Times Literary Supplement *Rowlands communicates his ideas in a way that is humorous, compelling and moving ... [he] succeeds remarkably well in engaging the reader. Largely this is because of the emotional intensity of the narrative -- James Carney * Sunday Business Post (Ireland) *This fascinating and stimulating story of integrating a full-blooded wolf into the life of a philosophy professor veers between the profound and the hilarious. In turns touching and poignant ... this chronicle will make you think deeply about our relationship with domestic animals and about our responsibilities for them -- Roger Fletcher * Morning Star *An exceptionally moving saga * Times Higher Education Supplement *Moving and unsettling memoir * London Review of Books *An extraordinary, moving book -- Sarah Broadhurst * Bookseller *Thoroughly touching ... deeply moving -- Lianne Steinberg * Big Issue in the North *By turns moving and funny ... offers every reason to look again at how we view other animals ... Rowlands writes with real power of a profoundly intense and rewarding relationship -- Nick Churchill * Daily Echo *It is a remarkable book * Andover Advertiser *This moving and often unsettling memoir tells the story ... of how Rowlands's philosophy was transformed by this extended, intimate encounter with the wild * London Review of Books *Funny, engrossing ... heartbreaking ... enchanting and often disturbing ... and almost always beautifully written * The Age (Melbourne) *Rowlands is a passionate chronicler as he casts nets of meaning over the animal. But it is the wolf itself that leaps most vigorously off the page, eluding all fallible cages of human thought, captivating the reader -- Anita Sethi * Independent on Sunday *An amusing, yet profound story that is both thought-provoking and informative -- Helen Peacocke * Oxford Times *This book is a rare treat ... an unexpectedly provocative exploration of what it means to be human ... [Rowlands] writes with great humour and warmth as he maps out lessons learned on the nature of love, loss and human weakness -- Aimee Shalan * Guardian *A profound and searching meditation ... Rowlands writes with rare rigour and elegance. Held together by an exciting and often extremely moving narrative, this is one of the most thought-stirring and life-affirming books of philosophy that I know -- John Gray * Prospect *A ripping yarn for anyone who loves animals -- Fiona Dalzell * Veterinary Times *Goes to places no ordinary book about philosophy would dare to go ... a unique and precious book -- Jon Fordham * Sublime *A memoir of a professor who raised a wolf cub. He weaves fabulous details about training the animal into the philosophy of human life. A wolf lives in a very honest and straightforward way. There's something to be learned from that -- Amanda Donohue * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisWhat do we think about when we think about football? Football is about so many things: memory, history, place, social class, gender (especially masculinity, but increasingly femininity too), family identity, tribal identity, national identity, the nature of groups. It is essentially collaborative, even socialist, yet it exists in a sump of greed, corruption, capitalism and autocracy. Philosopher Simon Critchley attempts to make sense of it all, and to establish a system of aesthetics - even poetics - to show what is beautiful in the beautiful game. He explores, too, how the experience of watching football opens a particular dimension in time; how its magic wards off oblivion; how its dramas play out national identity and non-identity; how we spectators, watching football with tragic pensiveness, participate in the play. And of course, as a football fan, he writes about his heroes and villains: about Zidane and Cruyff, Clough and Revie, Shankly and Klopp.Trade ReviewA quick and agile book: a kind of metaphysic of the football match, done by the Messi of modern philosophy -- Shahidha Bari * Times Higher Education *Simon Critchley is a figure of quite startling brilliance, and I can never guess what he'll do next, only that it is sure to sustain and nourish my appetite for his voice. -- Jonathan LethemSimon Critchley beguiles as he illuminates. -- David MitchellA beautiful book about the beautiful game ... the World Cup is coming - fans should start reading. -- John Kaag, author of American Philosophy: A Love Story

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Book SynopsisHere Scruton explains the connection between good wine and serious thought with a heady mix of humour and philosophy.We are familiar with the medical opinion that a daily glass of wine is good for the health and also the rival opinion that any more than a glass or two will set us on the road to ruin.Whether or not good for the body, Scruton argues, wine, drunk in the right frame of mind, is definitely good for the soul. And there is no better accompaniment to wine than philosophy. By thinking with wine, you can learn not only to drink in thoughts but to think in draughts.This good-humoured book offers an antidote to the pretentious clap-trap that is written about wine today and a profound apology for the drink on which civilisation has been founded.In vino veritas.Trade ReviewIf you are searching for an interesting gift for the wine buff in your life, this will last a lot longer than another bottle of wine ... The greatest joy of this book is the appendix where [Scruton] suggests what wines to drink with different philosophers' works. It is irreverent and funny, but at the same time, wise. * The Bookbag *By turns challenging, enjoyable, thought-provoking * Times Literary Supplement *[Scruton's] indisputable passion for wine will send you off to your next glass better informed and more thoughtful than before. * Metro *[Scruton] writes deliciously ... this book is a marvellous read - provocative, spicy, balanced and brimful of wise words ... it is hugely recommendable. * The Oldie *A good-natured and witty exploration of the wine-drinking phenomenon, from its place in Christian worship to a sojourn down at the local bar. * Good Book Guide *I have never met Roger Scruton, though I would like to ... Scruton's book is for people who are already wine lovers and want to link their pleasure to a greater world outside * The Spectator *They don't come much more knowledgeable than Roger Scruton ... light-hearted but thought-provoking * Bath Life *He is by turns interesting, fatuous, informative, cranky, outrageous, rhetorically self-indulgent, and insightful...For general readers, and especially Monty Python fans, this book is great fun. Summing Up: Recommended. -- R.T. Lee * CHOICE *[Scruton is] clearly a man of remarkable energy, art and scope ... [An] entertaining experience. * The Australian *Scruton liberally dispenses nuggets of wisdom throughout his book and very effectively uses personal narratives to make his case... the patient reader and drinker has much to glean by following the author's gustatory and thought-provoking journey in the world of wine. * The European Legacy, Volume 16, Number 5 *A novel approach...there are nuggets of wisdom and insight. * The Herald *[An] elegant defense of wine and its place in society ... offers a window into an unusually original, subtle, and independent mind: the mind of a gifted philosopher ... all wine lovers should feel compelled to read him. * The World of Fine Wine *The third chapter is one of the finest expressions of reverence to French wines I have ever read - perfect for curling up with in front of the fire, with a large glass of claret. * The Scotsman *[Scruton] is no slouch when it comes to wine ... the first part of the book combines a memoir of his development as a "wino" (his word) with some useful tips and factoids ... in the book's second part ... he is good on wine as the expression of a place and community, on the nuances of intoxication and on the social beneficence of buying rounds. * The Observer *Spendid ... partly a serious guide to the wines of France, Italy, and Spain and (if you must) the "New World", it is also very funny ... this is one of Scruton's most enjoyable books, uncorking much wisdom, and concluding with a wicked guide to the right drink to take while reading various philosophers. -- Steven Poole * The Guardian *Witty and philosophical. * The Daily Telegraph *[Written with] customary brio * Times Higher Education *Roger Scruton's 2009 memoir I Drink Therefore I Am: A Philosopher's Guide to Wine is a splendidly convivial fireside draught... A sweet hymn to Bacchus. * www.theguardian.com *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Drugs that are Tolerated and Forbidden 2. Alcohol and its Effects 3. The Ancients and Religious Rituals 4. Wine, Self Certainty and Philosophy 5. Paying Bacchus his Due 6. Wine and the Moral Vacuum 7. American Health Warnings 8. Wine as an Accompaniment to Thought 9. Wine as Something to Live By

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Book SynopsisA strong and growing intuition in society today is the idea that our thoughts create our own reality. Yet it seems obvious that, try as we might, our lives are not quite what we fantasize. Is the intuition thus wrong? Through a rational, methodic interpretation of meditative insights, the validity of which is substantiated with a compelling scientific literature review, the author constructs hypotheses that reconcile facts with intuition. Mesmerizing narratives of his expeditions into the unconscious suggest an amazing possibility: just as dreams are seemingly autonomous manifestations of our psyche, reality may be an externalized combination of the subconscious dreams of us all, mixed as they are projected onto the fabric of space-time. Perhaps the laws of physics are an emergent by-product of such synchronization of thoughts. Through computer simulations, the author explores the implications of these hypotheses, with conclusions uncannily reminiscent of observed phenomena.

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Book Synopsis60 cards to help us to better understand ourselves and how we are really feeling.

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Book Synopsis“The best new book I’ve read.”—Richard Dawkins, New York Times Book ReviewTrade Review"An excellent introduction to Dennett’s body of thought." -- Boston Globe"One of the most original thinkers of our time." -- Michael Shermer - Science"Perhaps America’s most widely read (and debated) living philosopher. . . . [Intuition Pumps is] a lively primer on the radical answers Mr. Dennett has elaborated to the big questions in his nearly five decades in philosophy" -- New York Times"The sharpest, cleverest, most stylish prober of how issues of human consciousness interconnect today with evolutionary theory." -- Carlin Romano - Philadelphia Inquirer"A philosopher’s box of tools for the musing mind." -- Nature"“[Dennett] is a master at inventing tools for thought— metaphysical jokes, fables, parables, puzzles, and zany Monty-Python-like sketches that can help thinkers feel their way forward." -- Daily Beast

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Book SynopsisCovering interesting and varied philosophical terrain, Cycling- Philosophy for Everyoneexplores in a fun but critical way the rich philosophical, cultural, and existential experiences that arise when two wheels are propelled by human energy. Incorporates or reflects the views of high-profile and notable past-professional cyclists and insiders such as Lennard Zinn, Scott Tinley, and Lance Armstrong Features contributions from the areas of cultural studies, kinesiology, literature, and political science as well as from philosophers Includes enlightening essays on the varieties of the cycling experience, ranging from the ethical issues of success, women and cycling, environmental issues of commuting and the transformative potential of cycling for personal growth Shows how bicycling and philosophy create the perfect tandem Includes a foreword by Lennard Zinn, author and owner of Zinn Cycles Inc. Trade Review“It’s the first time I’ve read in a while. Very captivating subject matter for someone like myself. I need to hit the road.” (Conscious Being, 16 July 2013) “Cycling – Philosophy for Everyone explores in a fun but critical way the rich philosophical, cultural, and existential experiences that arise when two wheels are propelled by human energy.” (Outdoor Zone, 31 December 2012) "The chapters are generally well written and although there are 19 of them there are few repetitions of content ... The book's good chapters are all characterised by the fact that the author, in the process of cycling and becoming a cyclist have discovered several things about him or herself and the world s/he inhabits, and have been able to transform those discoveries into insightful ideas and recognitions." (Idrottsforum.org, 25 January 2012) "Includes enlightening essays on the varieties of the cycling experience, ranging from the ethical issues of success, women and cycling, environmental issues of commuting and the transformative potential of cycling for personal growth." (Kansas City.info, 20 August 2010) "This book and the others in this reasonably priced series would be useful in interdisciplinary studies programs as examples for students on how scholars from various disciplines can broach the same topic. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty/professionals; general readers." (Choice, 1 March 2011) "There is a good deal stimulate the brain, should the brain require it." (Cycling World, January 2011) "Whether you use the bicycle to make your living, to take you to your living, or to take you on an escape from your living, there is a great deal in Cycling: Philosophy for Everyone." (Athelon, 1 January 2011) "If you are interested in reading something that questions how you think about yourself and your cycling and its impact on the world, then have a read." (Cog and Coffee, December 2010) "As the title suggests, there's something for everyone from the casual rider to the seasoned pro to take away from this attempt at applying the nuances of cycling culture to contemporary issues of camaraderie, health and the environment." (Bike Culture, 28 September 2010) "If you are a fan of bicycles or bicycle racing and have ever had an interest in philosophy, the essays in Cycling: A Philosophical Tour de Force show that philosophy and cycling work well in tandem." (Bike World News, October 2010) "Thanks to the new book Cycling-Philosophy for Everyone, I now have a term to describe the state of mind I achieve on my daily bicycle commute. Almost any type of literary-minded cyclist will find something to latch onto in the book-food for thought during your next Zwischenzeit." (UTNE Reader, September 02, 2010) "OBRA's own Jesús Ilundáin-Agurruza has co-authored a book about the philosophical territory of the cyclist lifestyle. Michael Weiss, Chair of the Tour of Missouri writes "This is a wonderful book that captures the breadth and depth of the sport and experience of cycling. A great tour of the mental, physical, cultural and historical paths a bicycle can travel." Tom Zoumaras, a former National Champion writes "Cycling - Philosophy for Everyone reminds its readers of the joy, freedom, and accomplishment one feels when riding a bicycle, whether that entails encountering Manhattan traffic on the way to the Central Park bandit race, cresting Mount Tamalpais to the unmatched views of redwoods and San Francisco, or punching through gale force winds on an isolated Midwest farm road far from everyone and everything." (Oregon Biccyle Racing Association newsletter, September 2010) "Building off of the life stories and philosophies of notable figures in the cycling world such as Lance Armstrong, Lennard Zinn and former road racer Pedro Delgado, and philosophers like Aristotle, Aquinas and Socrates, "Cycling: A Philosophical Tour de Force" covers the philosophical territory of the cycling lifestyle." (Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, July 2010)Table of ContentsForeword xLennard Zinn Acknowledgments xiiJesús Ilundáin-Agurruza and Michael W. Austin Getting in Gear: An Introduction to Cycling – Philosophy for Everyone 1Jesús Ilundáin-Agurruza and Michael W. Austin Stage 1 the Varieties of Cycling Experience 11 1 Warm Up: A Surreal Ride 13Patrick Vala-Haynes 2 Learning to Ride a Bike 16Peter M. Hopsicker 3 Becoming a Cyclist: Phenomenological Reflections on Cycling 27Steen Nepper Larsen 4 Unleash the Beast: Technology and the Time Trial 39Bryce T. J. Dyer Stage 2 Velo Virtues 51 5 Warm Up: A Test of One’s Mettle 53Patrick Vala-Haynes 6 Lance Armstrong and True Success 56Gregory Bassham and Chris Krall 7 LeMond, Armstrong, and the Never-Ending Wheel of Fortune 68Scott Tinley 8 Riding Like a Girl 81Catherine A. Womack and Pata Suyemoto 9 Bicycling and the Simple Life 94Russell Arben Fox Stage 3 Re-cycling 107 10 Warm Up: When Two Wheels Meet Four 109Patrick Vala-Haynes 11 Philosophical Lessons from Cycling in Town and Country 112Robert H. Haraldsson 12 The Commutist Manifesto 123John Richard Harris 13 Critical Mass Rides Against Car Culture 134Zack Furness Stage 4 Spinning Wisdom 147 14 Warm Up: Are You Real? Tony Meets Bishop Berkeley 149Patrick Vala-Haynes 15 My Life as a Two-Wheeled Philosopher 151Heather L. Reid 16 Cycling and Philosophical Lessons Learned the Hard Way 162Steven D. Hales 17 From Shoes to Saddle 173Michael W. Austin Stage 5 Fair Play on Two Wheels 183 18 Warm Up: Pushing the Envelope 185Patrick Vala-Haynes 19 What To Do Once They’re Caught 188John Gleaves 20 Out of Control: The Pirate and Performance-Enhancing Drugs 200Raymond Angelo Belliotti 21 Is the Cannibal a Good Sport? 214Andreas de Block and Yannick Joye Stage 6 Pedaling Circles 227 22 Warm Up: Riding into Awe 229Patrick Vala-Haynes 23 Taking the Gita for an Awesome Spin 231Seth Tichenor 24 Stretched Elastics, the Tour de France, and a Meaningful Life 241Tim Elcombe and Jill Tracey 25 Life Cycles and the Stages of a Cycling Life 253Jesús Ilundáin-Agurruza and Mike McNamee Notes on Contributors: The Cycling – Philosophy for Everyone Peloton 266

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Book SynopsisOne of the founders of existentialism, the eminent philosopher Karl Jaspers, here presents for the general reader an introduction to philosophy. In doing so, he also offers a lucid summary of his own philosophical thought. The foreword provides a brief overview of Jaspers' life and achievement.Trade Review"Original, sincere, cultivated, and stimulating."—Philosophy

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Book SynopsisLove’s Work is at once a memoir and a work of philosophy. Written by the English philosopher Gillian Rose as she was dying of cancer, it is a book about both the fallibility and the endurance of love, love that becomes real and lasting through an ongoing reckoning with its own limitations. Rose looks back on her childhood, the complications of her parents’ divorce and her dyslexia, and her deep and divided feelings about what it means to be Jewish. She tells the stories of several friends also laboring under the sentence of death. From the sometimes conflicting vantage points of her own and her friends’ tales, she seeks to work out (seeks, because the work can never be complete—to be alive means to be incomplete) a distinctive outlook on life, one that will do justice to our yearning both for autonomy and for connection to others. With droll self-knowledge (“I am highly qualified in unhappy love affairs,” Rose writes, “My earliest unhappy love affair was with Roy Rogers”) and with unsettling wisdom (“To live, to love, is to be failed”), Rose has written a beautiful, tender, tough, and intricately wrought survival kit packed with necessary but unanswerable questions.

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Book SynopsisThe ancient warrior culture of Japan produced a sophisticated martial philosophy that we know today as Bushido—the Way of the Warrior. In Samurai Wisdom, author Thomas Cleary provides five critical new translations of major Japanese works on Bushido.The writings of the scholar Yamaga Soko and his disciples are among the most lucid expositions we have of the core ideas and philosophy underlying the Samurai's disciplined way of life and outlook. Together they provide an in-depth, practical guide to character building and conduct according to the precepts of Bushido—a code for professional warriors that retains as much relevance in today's world as it had when these works were written 400 years ago.Yamaga's writings inspired the transformation of the Samurai from a feudal class of warriors under the command of the Shogun to a group of prominent individuals with significant intellectual, political and moral leadership and influence. The works translated in Samurai Wisdom for the very first time are as timeless and essential today as the works of Sun Tzu, Musashi and Clausewitz.The five Japanese works on Bushido translated in Samurai Wisdom are: The Way of the Knight by Yamaga Soko The Warrior's Rule by Tsugaru Kodo-shi Essentials of Military Matters compiled by Yamaga Takatsune The Education of Warriors by Yamaga Soko Primer of Martial Education by Yamaga Soko Trade Review"Samurai Wisdom is absolutely excellent. Not only does this book provide the reader with a deep understanding of the samurai mind and their values, but if studied and applied, it also provides the reader with many valuable principles to live by in today's world. This is one of Thomas Cleary's best books." --Bodhi Sanders, author of Warrior Wisdom: The Warrior's Path"[A] refreshing look at the life of the samurai, his history, his way of thinking, the reason & benefits for living the way they did & a deep insight into their minds." --Terry Tozer, Traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate Academy (TJSKA)"These books provide a fascinating glimpse into the psyche of Edo period samurai and their struggles to retain the skills of war while remaining relevant in a time of peace, and they're also very affordable." --TheShogunsHouse.com blog

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Book SynopsisReasons Not to Worry is an accessible introduction to the Stoic principles of virtue, moderation and self-discipline, adapting this ancient knowledge to inspire practical advice for everyday life.We''re all searching for answers to the biggest questions: How can we be good? Find calm? Properly grieve? Beat FOMO? Work out what truly matters? Well, the good news is that the wisest minds in history asked the exact same questions - and they found answers. The ancient philosophy of Stoicism shows us that we are already in possession of the very tools we need to excavate this much-needed wisdom for ourselves.So into the past we go with journalist Brigid Delaney, to a time not unlike our own: one full of pandemonium, war, plagues, pestilence, treachery, corruption, anxiety, overindulgence, and - even back then - the fear of a climate apocalypse. By living and learning the teachings of three ancient guides, Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, Brigid shows us how we can apply their lessons to our modern lives in a way that allows us to regain a sense of agency and tranquillity.Stoicism can be a tough medicine to swallow, but no longer - this book is awash with insight, humour and compassion. Timely, so very useful, and filled to the brim with ways you can wrest back control, here are all the reasons not to worry.Trade ReviewBrigid has the most incredible gift of taking seemingly complex and esoteric concepts and explaining them to the reader in a way that is generous and clear, but above all, relatable. Reading this book is like having a long walk with your cool big sister while she just happens to be giving you the skinny on Greco- Roman philosophy. * Ben Lee *Reasons Not to Worry is both an introduction and an interrogation of Stoicism. With acute thoughtfulness and a genial lightness, Delaney convinces us that this ancient philosophy is still relevant and necessary. I appreciated the kindness in this book and I was grateful for the care and commitment and joy of the writing and argument. -- Christos Tsiolkas * author of Damascus and Seven and a Half *It's hard not to think of a better philosophy with which to face the silly season ... [Reasons Not to Worry] is insightful and surprisingly fun. * Qantas Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe Name of God is Mercy, Pope Francis' exploration on the universal theme of mercy, is a spiritual inspiration to both followers of Christianity and non-Christians around the world.Drawing on his own experience as a priest and shepherd, Pope Francis discusses mercy, a subject of central importance in his religious teaching and testimony, and in addition sums up other ideas – reconciliation, the closeness of God – that comprise the heart of his papacy. Written in conversation with Vatican expert and La Stampa journalist Andrea Tornielli, The Name of God is Mercy is directed at everyone, inside or outside of the Catholic Church, seeking meaning in life, a road to peace and reconciliation, or the healing of physical or spiritual wounds.Trade ReviewPope Francis's chatty tone, his repeated references to episodes in his own life and his clear, down-to-earth language, so rarely found in papal pronouncements, make The Name of God Is Mercy a pleasure to read. * The Guardian *Francis offers the most vivid glimpse yet of this thinking on the struggles facing the Church in the 21st Century * Sunday Telegraph *This gift for teaching - along with his inclusive vision of the world, and his warm, embracing manner - have been hallmarks of the pope's whirlwind tenure thus far in the Vatican, and they also inform his new book, The Name of God Is Mercy * The New York Times *What makes his book most moving is the way in which this man, without disrespecting his own privacy or offering false bromides of modesty (what Douthat derides as "ostentatious humility"), opens the sacred space of his conscience to explain how he came to center his ministry, and now his papacy, around mercy. * The New Yorker *Francis speaks succinctly-and with refreshing forthrightness. . . . He emphasizes moral sincerity over dogma, an understanding of the complexities of the world and individual experience over rigid doctrine. . . . The pope has an easy conversational style that moves effortlessly between folksy sayings and erudite allusions, between common-sense logic and impassioned philosophical insights -- Michiko Kakutani, The New York TimesAs he has done throughout his papacy, Pope Francis shows in this book a compelling way to present God's love anew to a skeptical world without denying the ancient teachings of faith. But now he is challenging the entire Church to trek a new way forward -- TimeFrancis enjoys sharing personal stories of God's grace and mercy in the lives of parishioners from his native Argentina, people he has known and who have recognized themselves as sinners -- The Washington PostPowerful . . . Francis's book signals a plea for a change of attitude on the part of the faithful and their pastors. . . . Bishops and priests will talk and quarrel over the text for months, even years to come. And that, perhaps, is what Francis intends -- Financial Times

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Soames's book is an excellent introduction to the relevance of philosophy in the contemporary world. . . . Highly recommended." * Choice *"An erudite riposte to the accusation that philosophy has little practical relevance." * Paradigm Explorer *"Soames demonstrates how philosophy shaped our world while at the same time developing a spectacular one-volume history of Western philosophy in the analytic tradition. On those grounds alone, that makes this work a profound achievement."---Brendan Patrick Purdy, Law & Liberty

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Book SynopsisDo you want to know what life has in store? It''s all here in this book. All the little things we learn in the course of our lives. A page a year, from nought to a hundred.5: You learn that boys and girls fall in love. Incredible!13: When will your parents learn? Not in front of your friends.36: A dream came true, but it feels different than you thought. 45: Do you like yourself as you are?75: You learn to unlearn things. Can you still do a somersault? 86: Everything can be different in every moment. How does our perception of the world change in the course of a lifetime? When Heike Faller''s niece was born she began to wonder what we learn in life, and how we can talk about what we have learnt with those we love. And so she began to ask everyone she met, what did you learn in life? Out of the answers of children''s writers and refugees, teenagers and artists, mothers and friends, came 99 lessons: that thoTrade ReviewNow this is a truly wonderful book, about life, love, age, about all of us. I gave it to look at to a 7 year old who sat with her 75 year old grandmother, and both were intent, deeply engaged, the one full of questions, the other searching still for answers. A remarkable and important book! * Michael Morpurgo *Praise for the German edition -- :Probably the most beautiful and touching book of the year * Die Presse *A great reading pleasure for the whole family, for all generations. * SRF Literary Club *A very philosophical, unusually beautiful book * rbb zibb *Like a poem about life * einfach.sein *A masterpiece * Berliner Zeitung *A wonderful book about the little and big moments that astonish us in life * Laviva *With my current favorite book Hundred, I spend hours on the sofa learning new things about life. * style *

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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 SynopsisGenius is highly individual and unique yet it shares a compelling quality. In this intriguing introduction Andrew Robinson uses the life and work of familiar geniuses - and some less familiar - to consider what their achievements have in common; whether its heredity, education, hard work, intelligence or just plain luck.Table of Contents1. Defining genius ; 2. Not running in the family ; 3. The schooling of genius ; 4. Intelligence versus genius ; 5. Genius and madness ; 6. Chameleon personalities ; 7. Art versus sciences ; 8. Eureka experiences ; 9. Perspiration and inspiration ; 10. Genius and us

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Book SynopsisMany scientists and scientifically-minded commentators are skeptical that free will exists. In clear, scientifically rigorous terms, Christian List explains that free will is like other real phenomena that emerge from physical processes but are autonomous from them—like an ecosystem or the economy—and are indispensable for explaining our world.Trade ReviewIn Why Free Will Is Real, List does as advertised, advancing a novel, intriguing view of free will and making a thoughtful case for the thesis that free will, as he conceives of it, is real. This book is a pleasure to read. -- Alfred Mele, Florida State UniversityAn original and challenging new contribution to contemporary debates about free will. After making a compelling case for the irreducibility of different explanatory levels of reality, Christian List argues that free will requires indeterminism at the psychological level of explanation, but not at the physical level, where it is compatible with determinism. His arguments in support of these claims address a host of potential objections and include insightful appeals to new developments in the logic of agency and branching time, among other novel arguments. -- Robert H. Kane, The University of Texas at AustinMany philosophers have suggested that we may be causally determined at the neurophysiological level, but not at the psychological. List is the first to work out a detailed proposal of how this might work, and of how it can underpin an account of free will. Developing ideas from theories of causation and of counterfactuals, it provides an incisive and accessible introduction to contemporary thinking about how we might be free in a causally-determined world. -- Richard Holton, University of CambridgeAccessible, clear and convincing…List’s carefully crafted argument may help many of us sleep more soundly, being further assured that we can choose how to live our own lives. -- Ellie Lasater-Guttman * LSE Review of Books *List argues that free will is not explained away through science by looking at the activity in our brain…A wonderful defense of free will accessibly written for readers new to the topic. * Library Journal *Well argued and admirably sets out the challenges to free will that, when coupled with its clarity, make it an excellent gateway into the contemporary free will debate. -- Logan B. Weir * Review of Metaphysics *A fresh defense of the existence of free will against those of its skeptics who claim that free will has no place within a scientifically respectable worldview…There’s much to admire and recommend in List’s book. It’s pithy, clear, and well-organized while managing to provide highly original and thought-provoking arguments. -- James Goodrich * Journal of Moral Philosophy *Highly original…List defends the claim that we have libertarian free will in a new and important way. -- Derk Pereboom * Criminal Law and Philosophy *

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Book SynopsisDo you ever get the feeling that something went wrong? What with credit crunches, wars, congestion charges, and unemployment, it is natural to hark back to less complicated times. In this witty and inspiring book, Mark Vernon does just that. However, we are not talking about the 1980s – try 400BC! Filled with timeless insight into life, relationships, work and partying, Plato's Podcasts takes a sideways glance at modern living and presents the would-be thoughts of Ancient Philosophers on various topics central to our 21st century existence. From Plato on podcasts to Epicurus on bottled water, this is a funny but profound take on what life means today (and two thousand years ago).Trade Review"Highly engaging and Vernon has a good eye for the colourfully weird detail." * The Guardian *"Engaging and stimulating, full of fascinating anecdotes and provocative contentions. If you want to find out more about how philosophy began, then Vernon is your guide. " * Church Times *

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Book SynopsisWhy is it so hard to live well amidst the chaos and noise? While you might think this is a problem of the modern world, it''s a timeless issue. 2000 years ago, the ancient Stoics talked about the exact same challenges we''re facing today, like: How can we find inner peace? What does it take to be happy? Can we become more resilient? The answers can be found in the philosophy of Stoicism. I''ve used the philosophy since 2014 to change my life and career. Focus on What Matters is a collection of 70 letters/essays I wrote about different aspects of life, from happiness, wealth, health to relationships and much more. These letters, inspired by the original works of the Stoic philosopher Seneca, serve as reminders to focus on the right things in our chaotic lives.

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Book SynopsisAn account of the complex relationship between technology and romanticism that links nineteenth-century monsters, automata, and mesmerism with twenty-first-century technology's magic devices and romantic cyborgs.Romanticism and technology are widely assumed to be opposed to each other. Romanticism—understood as a reaction against rationalism and objectivity—is perhaps the last thing users and developers of information and communication technology (ICT) think about when they engage with computer programs and electronic devices. And yet, as Mark Coeckelbergh argues in this book, this way of thinking about technology is itself shaped by romanticism and obscures a better and deeper understanding of our relationship to technology. Coeckelbergh describes the complex relationship between technology and romanticism that links nineteenth-century monsters, automata, and mesmerism with twenty-first-century technology's magic devices and romantic cyborgs.Coeckelbergh a

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Book SynopsisAn argument in favor of finding a place for humans (and humanness) in the future digital economy.In the digital economy, accountants, baristas, and cashiers can be automated out of employment; so can surgeons, airline pilots, and cab drivers. Machines will be able to do these jobs more efficiently, accurately, and inexpensively. But, Nicholas Agar warns in this provocative book, these developments could result in a radically disempowered humanity.The digital revolution has brought us new gadgets and new things to do with them. The digital revolution also brings the digital economy, with machines capable of doing humans' jobs. Agar explains that developments in artificial intelligence enable computers to take over not just routine tasks but also the kind of “mind work” that previously relied on human intellect, and that this threatens human agency. The solution, Agar argues, is a hybrid social-digital economy. The key value of the digital economy is efficien

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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 SynopsisThe eminent French philosopher “dialecticizes” five of the artist Jean-Luc Moulène's objects with five conceptual formations from the history of Western philosophy.In this unique essay, first delivered as a lecture during a panel discussion with the artist and philosopher Reza Negarestani, Alain Badiou identifies and “dialecticizes” five of the artist Jean-Luc Moulène's objects with five conceptual formations from the history of Western philosophy. Aristotle's complex of matter and form is called to mind to describe the inner logic of a hard foam sculpture. A bronze statue with holes activates Plato's notion of participation of the concrete world in the “injured Idea of the Beautiful.” A small metallic and incomplete “angel” engages Leibniz's affirmation that “everything that exists is composed of an infinity of things.” Badiou's musings go on to pair a broken and repaired plastic chair with Victor Hugo; a

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Book SynopsisThis volume presents a selection of new articles examining the state of Irish philosophy during the lifetime of Ireland's most famous philosopher, Bishop George Berkeley (1685â1753). The thinkers examined include Berkeley, Robert Boyle, William King, William Molyneux, Robert Molesworth, Peter Browne, Jonathan Swift, John Toland, Thomas Prior, Samuel Madden, Arthur Dobbs, Francis Hutcheson, Mary Barber, Constantia Grierson, Laetitia Pilkington, Elizabeth Sican, and John Austin. This interdisciplinary collection includes attention both to local Irish concerns and to Ireland's relation to the broader European context, and discusses philosophical reflections on topics as diverse as religion, economics, laughter, and motherhood.Table of ContentsPreface Kenneth L. Pearce and Takaharu Oda; 1. The Irish Context of Berkeley's 'Resemblance Thesis' Manuel Fasko and Peter West; 2. Does Berkeley's Immaterialism Support Toland's Spinozism? The Posidonian Argument and the Eleventh Objection Eric Schliesser; 3. Poverty and Prosperity: Political Economics in Eighteenth-Century Ireland Marc A. Hight; 4. Berkeley's Criticisms of Shaftesbury and Hutcheson Samuel C. Rickless; 5. Francis Hutcheson on Liberty Ruth Boeker; 6. 'Plainly of Considerable Moment in Human Society': Francis Hutcheson and Polite Laughter in Eighteenth-Century Britain and Ireland Kate Davison; 7. What the Women of Dublin Did with John Locke Christine Gerrard; 8. From Serena to Hypatia: John Toland's Women Ian Leask; 9. Peter Browne on the Metaphysics of Knowledge Kenneth L. Pearce; 10. John Austin SJ (1717–84), The First Irish Catholic Cartesian? Jacob Schmutz; Index of Names.

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Book SynopsisThis collection of previously printed articles by W. Mattieu Williams is of interest to all readers who are sufficiently intelligent to prefer sober fact to sensational fiction, but who, at the same time, do not profess to be scientific specialists. The author has combined clearness and simplicity with an attempt at philosophy.

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Book SynopsisThis book is unique in its treatment of critical thinking not as a body of knowledge but instead as a subject for critical reflection. The purpose of the anthology is to turn critical thinking classes into invitations to philosophical conversations. The collection introduces students to difficult philosophical questions that surround critical thinking, moving away from dogmatism and towards philosophical dialogue. In developing these discussions, the anthology introduces students to issues in the philosophy of science, epistemology, and philosophy of religion. Selections include works by Charles S. Peirce, Stephen Jay Gould, Elizabeth Anscombe, and Richard Dawkins.Trade Review“What Should I Believe? is an excellent little volume that takes its title question seriously and tries to answer with both prudential and normative meanings. Gomberg (Chicago State Univ.) has assembled a worthy set of essays to answer this question, ranging from the classic essays of Peirce, Clifford, and James to his own sincere efforts to guide students in their understanding of belief.” — S.C. Schwarze, Cabrini College in CHOICE Volume 49.8, April 2012“This is a wonderful selection of readings for a course in Critical Thinking, as well as wonderful reading for anyone who wonders what critical thinking about difficult and controversial topics consists in—a question that concerns all of us as citizens and as human beings.” — Hilary Putnam, Cogan University Professor Emeritus, Harvard University“This is an exciting, pathbreaking anthology. In taking critical thinking itself as a topic for philosophical reflection, What Should I Believe? moves us on from John Dewey’s famous How We Think. Gomberg’s insightful commentary molds these essays into a new framework for thinking about society, science, religion—and indeed about the very character of belief. This is a fresh approach to “critical thinking” both for the classroom and for our lives.” — Arthur Fine, University of WashingtonTable of ContentsACKNOWLEDGEMENTSPREFACETo the Instructor:Making Critical Thinking Classes More PhilosophicalINTRODUCTIONThe Philosophical Problems Raised by Critical ThinkingSECTION ITwo Defenses of Critical BeliefIntroductionFrom “The Fixation of Belief,” Charles S. PeirceFrom “The Ethics of Belief,” William K. CliffordSECTION IIUncertainty and Scrutiny in ScienceIntroductionMiracles and Scientific Research, Paul GombergFrom “The Origin of Life on Earth,” Neil deGrasse Tyson and Donald GoldsmithFrom “Sex, Drugs, Disasters, and the Extinction of Dinosaurs,”Stephen Jay GouldAre We Related to Other Life? Paul GombergFrom “The Perplexing Case of the Female Orgasm,”Elisabeth Lloyd with Natasha Mitchell“The Health of Black Folk: Disease, Class, and Ideology in Science,”Nancy Krieger and Mary BassettFrom Against Method, Paul FeyerabendSECTION IIIWhy Do We Believe Others?IntroductionFrom “Of Miracles,” David HumeFrom “The Ethics of Belief,” William K. CliffordFrom “The Epistemology of Testimony,” Nicholas WolterstorffFrom “What Is It to Believe Someone?” Elizabeth AnscombeTrust and Modesty in Belief and Knowledge, Paul GombergSECTION IVReligious Beliefs and Critical ScrutinyIntroductionFrom “A Scientist’s Case against God,” Richard DawkinsFrom “The Will to Believe,” William James“Clifford’s Principle and James’s Options,” Richard FeldmanBelieving Can Be Right or Wrong, Allen WoodFrom “Wittgenstein on Religious Belief,” Hilary PutnamSECTION V: EPILOGUEWhat Should I Believe?Index

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Book SynopsisAs this book richly and entertainingly demonstrates, philosophy is as much the search for the right questions as it is the search for the right answers. Robert M. Martin’s popular collection of philosophical puzzles, paradoxes, jokes, and anecdotes is updated and expanded in this third edition, with dozens of new entries.Trade ReviewThe sorts of questions Martin deals with range from the sublime (is it possible to prove the existence of the world outside your own mind?) to the ridiculous (what's the best strategy to win at Let's Make A Deal?), but all are aimed at giving his audience the tools they need to look clearly at complex problems, and distinguish false problems from real ones. Those are skills we all need, especially if we're not very good at common sense, and that, along with Martin's enthusiasm and sense of humour, makes this a perfect book for anyone who likes to think." - Alex Rettie, reviewed in Alberta Views (October 2012)"In this delightful little book Bob Martin has made philosophy both exciting and fun. I've recommended earlier editions to all my first-year students, and I've gifted it to people aged 12 to 80. Everyone loves it. Philosophy is a collection of puzzles, and Martin covers pretty much all of them, in digestible snippets. If one doesn't grab you, there'll be ten more that do." – Paul Viminitz, University of Lethbridge"I've used this book in teaching Critical Thinking, but really it's for me. It's useful and fun, and it reminds me why I love philosophy.” – Ben Caplan, Ohio State University"A wonderful book. Martin presents a wealth of puzzles, paradoxes and jokes, more than ever before, in this new and updated third edition. Frequently these raise significant philosophical issues, which are thus introduced in a natural and interesting way. This is a superb text for stimulating students’ interest and showing them how much sheer fun can be had from doing philosophy." – Adam Rieger, University of GlasgowTable of Contents Acknowledgements About This Book Chapter I: Differences That Make No Difference Chapter II: God Chapter III: Taking Chances Chapter IV: Making Choices: Decision Theory Chapter V: Logic And Paradox Chapter VI: Belief, Logic, And Intentions Chapter VII: Good And Bad Reasoning Chapter VII: Learning From Experience Chapter IX: Knowing Without Experience Chapter X: Thinking, Saying, And Meaning: The Philosophy Of Mind And Of Language Chapter XI: Here And Now; You NDI Chapter XII: Why Should I Be Moral? Chapter XIII: How To Think Morally Chapter XIV: Moral Conundrums Chapter XV: Law, Action, And Responsibility Chapter XVI: Deep Thoughts Bibliography Disclaimer

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Book SynopsisIn this “striking” meditation on the relationship between the adult self and the inner child, Jacob Needleman presents excitingly “original positions” on age old spiritual and philosophical questions—Ken WilburSeeking to reconcile the split between our inner child and our adult self, eminent philosopher and religious scholar Jacob Needleman evokes the ancient spiritual tradition of a deep dialogue between a guiding wisdom figure and a seeker. The elder offers an initiation to a younger self, an initiation the author feels is missing from our culture. Rendered as a stage play, the conversation between the 80-year-old author and his younger selves unfolds, and an ambiguity emerges as to whether this is strictly the author’s internal dialogue or whether the younger self may be nurturing a rebirth of the author.  On one level, I Am Not I brings younger readers (teenagers and young adults) face to face with powerful spiritual and philosophical ideas. But as the book progresses, the dialogue delves into questions and insights that carry astonishing new hope and vision for every man and woman, challenging our culture’s accepted—and often toxic—ideas about humanity’s place in a living universe.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2016 Prix Elysée, Martin Kollar’s new work, Provisional Arrangement, considers that which is temporary in a world made up of provisional situations and solutions. "We are tenants of culture", wrote Nicolas Bourriaud, foreseeing a world of precarious inhabitation of ideas. “I grew up in Czechoslovakia during the Communist era,” says Kollar, “and with the motto, with the Soviet Union for all Eternity – which has been one of my few experiences with eternity... People of my generation fight against the void left behind the abandoned dogmas.” It is this world that Kollar turns to, one of aborted eternities and slackened certainties – to situations which reveal the disintegration of permanences, capturing their fall into the provisional. Martin Kollar was born in Zilina, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). He studied at the Academy of Performing Arts Bratislava and has been working as a freelance photographer and cinematographer since he graduated. As a cinematographer, Martin has worked on a number of films, including Koza (2015), Velvet Terrorists (2013), Cooking History (2009), 66 Seasons (2003) and his directorial feature debut 5 October (2016). He has received several grants and awards, including the Prix Elysee and Oscar Barnack Award and his work has been exhibited across the world, including the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Slovak National Gallery (Bratislava), Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, Tel Aviv Museum of Art and Musée de l'Élysée (Lausanne). His previous books include Nothing Special (2008), Cahier (2011), Field Trip (MACK, 2013) and Catalogue (Slovak National Gallery, 2015).

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Book SynopsisWhat is Man? What is his nature? Where is he going? These are but some of the questions this book is trying to find answers to. They are questions that will take us on a fascinating intellectual journey encompassing politics, history, sociology, philosophy, religion, and science. Along the way you will encounter many great thinkers such as Aristotle and Nietzsche (to name but two) as well as be confronted by some of humanity's most sublime achievements and horrific failures. After reading this book, you will have a better understanding of humankind's potential for good and evil and our chances for survival and transcendence in the not too distant future.

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Book SynopsisDesigned for complete beginners, Philosophy: Key Texts is an introduction to philosophy and gives a clear, readable overview of some of the major texts of Plato, Descartes, Hume, Mill and Nietzsche. As well as providing help in how to analyze these sources, the authors encourage the reader to question the arguments and positions presented.Trade Review'...these are very useful books, both of which I would recommend as valuable contributions to introductory literature in the field of philosophy.' - Elizabeth Burns, ThinkTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Introduction Plato: Republic (c.375 BC) René Descartes: Meditations on First Philosophy (1641) David Hume: An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding (1748) John Stuart Mill: On Liberty (1859) Friedrich Nietzsche: Beyond Good and Evil (1886) Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism and Humanism (1947) Glossary Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisAnne Karpf is a writer, medical sociologist and award-winning journalist. She has been a contributing editor to Cosmopolitan, and wrote a weekly column for the family pages of the Guardian, to which she now contributes columns on social, political and cultural issues. She also writes for the Independent on Sunday and other publications. A regular broadcaster, she writes and presents for BBC Radio 4, and is the author of three books, including The Human Voice (Bloomsbury, 2007). She is Reader in Writing and Cultural Inquiry at London Metropolitan University. Anne Karpf won the 2014 Older People in the Media award for best individual voice for How to Age and her Guardian journalism on older people's issues.Trade ReviewThis new series of The School of Life's self-help books build on the strengths of the first, tackling some of the hardest issues of our lives in a way that is genuinely informative, helpful and consoling. Here are books that prove that the term "self-help" doesn't have to be either shallow or naive -- Alain de Botton, Founder of The School of LifeThe School of Life offers radical ways to help us raid the treasure trove of human knowledge * Independent on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisDr Christopher Hamilton is Senior Lecturer in the Philosophy of Religion at King's College London. He is the author of Middle Age, part of the Art of Living series published by Acumen Books in 2009, and Living Philosophy (Edinburgh University Press, 2001).Trade ReviewThis new series of The School of Life's self-help books build on the strengths of the first, tackling some of the hardest issues of our lives in a way that is genuinely informative, helpful and consoling. Here are books that prove that the term "self-help" doesn't have to be either shallow or naive -- Alain de Botton, Founder of The School of LifeThe School of Life offers radical ways to help us raid the treasure trove of human knowledge * Independent on Sunday *

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