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chowmeyow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
rosietomyn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
stacykozisek's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was a travel book with a smattering of philosophy, it's the opposite. Decent book if you're interested in dabbling in philosophy, not so good if you're looking for a travel memoir.
mahir007's review against another edition
3.0
الحكمة المجنونة!
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كان ديوجين ، مؤسس السخرية ، فيلسوف غريب الأطوار في نهاية المطاف. كان يعيش في برميل ، يمارس العادة السرية في الأماكن العامة ، ويصيب الناس في أثينا القديمة بالصدمة.
الفلسفة تدور حول التشكيك في الافتراضات ، وهز القارب. نادرا ما يهز القباطنة قواربهم. لديهم الكثير على المحك. أما الفلاسفة ، فهم أصحاب القيم المتطرفة ؛ كائنات فضائية.
كان سقراط ممارسًا لـ "الحكمة المجنونة". وجدت في تقاليد متباينة مثل البوذية التبتية والمسيحية ، تعمل Crazy Wisdom على فرضية أن الطريق إلى الحكمة أعوج . يجب علينا التعرج قبل أن نتمكن منها .
الحكمة المجنونة تعني نبذ الأعراف الاجتماعية والمخاطرة بالنبذ ، أو ما هو أسوأ ، لدفع الآخرين إلى التفاهم (العلاج الأصلي بالصدمة). لا أحد يحب أن يصاب بالصدمة ، وغالبًا ما نرفض ممارسي Crazy Wisdom باعتبارهم أكثر جنونًا من الحكمة. إليكم كيف يصف السيبياديس معلمه سقراط : "سيتحدث عن الحمير والحدادين والإسكافيون والدباغين ، ويبدو دائمًا أنه يكرر نفس الأشياء حتى أن الشخص إن لم يكن معتادًا على أسلوبه ، من شأنه أن يأخذ الأمر على أنه هراء مطلق." ومع ذلك ، يستنتج السيبياديس ، أن قضاء بعض الوقت في الاستماع إلى سقراط حقًا وأنت تدرك أن كلامه ليس هراء. يقول: سيبدو لك هذا الكلام و كأنه حديث إله".
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Eric Weiner
The Socrates Express
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
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كان ديوجين ، مؤسس السخرية ، فيلسوف غريب الأطوار في نهاية المطاف. كان يعيش في برميل ، يمارس العادة السرية في الأماكن العامة ، ويصيب الناس في أثينا القديمة بالصدمة.
الفلسفة تدور حول التشكيك في الافتراضات ، وهز القارب. نادرا ما يهز القباطنة قواربهم. لديهم الكثير على المحك. أما الفلاسفة ، فهم أصحاب القيم المتطرفة ؛ كائنات فضائية.
كان سقراط ممارسًا لـ "الحكمة المجنونة". وجدت في تقاليد متباينة مثل البوذية التبتية والمسيحية ، تعمل Crazy Wisdom على فرضية أن الطريق إلى الحكمة أعوج . يجب علينا التعرج قبل أن نتمكن منها .
الحكمة المجنونة تعني نبذ الأعراف الاجتماعية والمخاطرة بالنبذ ، أو ما هو أسوأ ، لدفع الآخرين إلى التفاهم (العلاج الأصلي بالصدمة). لا أحد يحب أن يصاب بالصدمة ، وغالبًا ما نرفض ممارسي Crazy Wisdom باعتبارهم أكثر جنونًا من الحكمة. إليكم كيف يصف السيبياديس معلمه سقراط : "سيتحدث عن الحمير والحدادين والإسكافيون والدباغين ، ويبدو دائمًا أنه يكرر نفس الأشياء حتى أن الشخص إن لم يكن معتادًا على أسلوبه ، من شأنه أن يأخذ الأمر على أنه هراء مطلق." ومع ذلك ، يستنتج السيبياديس ، أن قضاء بعض الوقت في الاستماع إلى سقراط حقًا وأنت تدرك أن كلامه ليس هراء. يقول: سيبدو لك هذا الكلام و كأنه حديث إله".
.
Eric Weiner
The Socrates Express
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
xyifa's review against another edition
5.0
If you are new to philosophy and doesn’t want Nietzsche to cause you headache, this book is for you.
papidoc's review against another edition
5.0
The Socrates Express is a sometimes insightful, sometimes humorous, sometimes stream-of-consciousness shallow dive into the thinking of some of history's greatest philosophers. I read a fair amount of philosophy (esp. ancient Greek and Roman), and I would absolutely recommend reading the originals, but this book might be an interesting way to get a taste of some of the different thinkers before doing a deeper, more thoughtful dive.
I'm particularly focused on Stoic thought, and like another reviewer said, studying philosophy is only the beginning; one must practice it to really begin to gain the benefits of it. Nonetheless, reading and studying and thinking about what you read is a good start. That is essentially what Weiner appears to have done. So, reading Express is like getting a glimpse into someone else's thoughts about philosophy. If it leads you to deeper, more thoughtful study on your own, that's a good thing. But, if you stop at the rather superficial level Weiner offers, it will be little more than an entertaining read. You'll be able to make the occasional contribution to conversation at a cocktail party, but that's about it.
Take the next step, and read some of the source material he mentions, such as Epictetus' Enchiridion, or Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, or Seneca, Musonius Rufus, Cicero. Or if you prefer more modern fare (and if Stoicism is of interest), take a look at How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson or by William Irvine. Other interesting sources include books by Ryan Holiday, Massimo Pigliucci, Jogn Sellars, or Ward Farnsworth.
I'm particularly focused on Stoic thought, and like another reviewer said, studying philosophy is only the beginning; one must practice it to really begin to gain the benefits of it. Nonetheless, reading and studying and thinking about what you read is a good start. That is essentially what Weiner appears to have done. So, reading Express is like getting a glimpse into someone else's thoughts about philosophy. If it leads you to deeper, more thoughtful study on your own, that's a good thing. But, if you stop at the rather superficial level Weiner offers, it will be little more than an entertaining read. You'll be able to make the occasional contribution to conversation at a cocktail party, but that's about it.
Take the next step, and read some of the source material he mentions, such as Epictetus' Enchiridion, or Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, or Seneca, Musonius Rufus, Cicero. Or if you prefer more modern fare (and if Stoicism is of interest), take a look at How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson or by William Irvine. Other interesting sources include books by Ryan Holiday, Massimo Pigliucci, Jogn Sellars, or Ward Farnsworth.
jimmacsyr's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. The author’s humor reminded me of Sarah Vowell’s, but more controlled. Interesting choice of subjects, very good explanations, and an engaging path from one to another. I am envious of the trains explored as the backdrop for the book.
redpineapple's review against another edition
4.0
This book was my first foray into reading philosophy and it was the best place to dive in. The author has a very accessible style of writing, which made, usually dense reading, very easy to digest & understand.
The author takes a train journey to the places where some of the world's best philosophers lived and then tries to walk in their shoes AND read their books. It was an interesting blend of the philosopher's biography, philosopher's works and Eric's commentary.
The book is divided into 3 sections with 14 chapters. The three sections are aptly titled Dawn, Noon and Dusk. The chapters are in theme with the sections - How to See Like Thoreau in Dawn, How to Fight Like Gandhi in Noon and How to Die Like Montaigne in Dusk.
My personal favourite was How to Fight Like Gandhi and it brought tears to my eyes.
It's obvious that the author loves his daughter very much. Sonya makes an appearance in almost every chapter and then also takes a trip with the author later on for one/two of the philosophers. Her comments are always very thought-provoking and challenge us readers as much as the author.
This book has given me an appreciation for some great people and how they lived. It has also made me want to read more about each one of them.
There's this thing about reading philosophy. You are suddenly thinking about things that you haven't thought of before and that leads to having a 30000 ft view of life. Your own problems start appearing smaller and smaller.
The only complaint I have from this book is the absence of philosophy on 'good marriage'. I would have loved such a section and read it with great interest.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
The author takes a train journey to the places where some of the world's best philosophers lived and then tries to walk in their shoes AND read their books. It was an interesting blend of the philosopher's biography, philosopher's works and Eric's commentary.
The book is divided into 3 sections with 14 chapters. The three sections are aptly titled Dawn, Noon and Dusk. The chapters are in theme with the sections - How to See Like Thoreau in Dawn, How to Fight Like Gandhi in Noon and How to Die Like Montaigne in Dusk.
My personal favourite was How to Fight Like Gandhi and it brought tears to my eyes.
It's obvious that the author loves his daughter very much. Sonya makes an appearance in almost every chapter and then also takes a trip with the author later on for one/two of the philosophers. Her comments are always very thought-provoking and challenge us readers as much as the author.
This book has given me an appreciation for some great people and how they lived. It has also made me want to read more about each one of them.
There's this thing about reading philosophy. You are suddenly thinking about things that you haven't thought of before and that leads to having a 30000 ft view of life. Your own problems start appearing smaller and smaller.
The only complaint I have from this book is the absence of philosophy on 'good marriage'. I would have loved such a section and read it with great interest.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
anarcho_zymurgist's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
An accessible, informative, and indeed, funny, introduction to philosophy.
ryanjjames's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. Each chapter is dedicated to a different philosopher and arranged in a way that calls our the best aspect of each individual philosophy then goes onto explain the authors relationship to said use main tenants. The author also visits the area that was significant to each philosopher. He covers Marcus Aurelius, Thoreau, Gandhi, Socrates, Epictetus, Epicurus, Rousseau, Nietzsche, Shonogon, Confucius, and others. This chapter on aging like Beauvoir and dying like Montaigne were excellent. It was the ideal way to get acquainted to each philosophy and have it be meaningful.
From the AI:
"The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers" by Eric Weiner is an enlightening and entertaining philosophical journey. Weiner's work serves as a modern guidebook to the wisdom of the past, as he boards trains to the places these philosophers lived and thought, engaging with their teachings and how they can apply to contemporary life.
Weiner's writing is engaging and witty, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a general audience. His approach of intertwining travel and philosophy is unique and intriguing, giving the book a fresh and engaging structure. Each chapter is devoted to a specific philosopher, providing a succinct overview of their life, work, and teachings while seamlessly connecting these historical figures to our present-day concerns.
The journey spans from Socrates' ancient Athens to Thoreau's Walden Pond, exploring themes such as simplicity, resilience, and the art of living a meaningful life. Weiner's thoughtful observations and personal reflections add an intimate and relatable dimension to these philosophers' teachings, making it feel like more than a simple history lesson.
Despite its strengths, some readers might find Weiner's attempts to apply these philosophers' teachings to modern contexts somewhat forced or overly simplified. Philosophy purists might take issue with the broad-brush portraits of philosophers and their ideas. Nonetheless, for those new to philosophy or those looking for a thought-provoking travelogue, "The Socrates Express" is a worthwhile read.
Overall, "The Socrates Express" is an engaging, enlightening, and ultimately inspiring read, full of wisdom from philosophers of the past that still holds relevance today. It is a testament to the enduring power of philosophy and its profound impact on how we understand ourselves and the world around us.
From the AI:
"The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers" by Eric Weiner is an enlightening and entertaining philosophical journey. Weiner's work serves as a modern guidebook to the wisdom of the past, as he boards trains to the places these philosophers lived and thought, engaging with their teachings and how they can apply to contemporary life.
Weiner's writing is engaging and witty, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a general audience. His approach of intertwining travel and philosophy is unique and intriguing, giving the book a fresh and engaging structure. Each chapter is devoted to a specific philosopher, providing a succinct overview of their life, work, and teachings while seamlessly connecting these historical figures to our present-day concerns.
The journey spans from Socrates' ancient Athens to Thoreau's Walden Pond, exploring themes such as simplicity, resilience, and the art of living a meaningful life. Weiner's thoughtful observations and personal reflections add an intimate and relatable dimension to these philosophers' teachings, making it feel like more than a simple history lesson.
Despite its strengths, some readers might find Weiner's attempts to apply these philosophers' teachings to modern contexts somewhat forced or overly simplified. Philosophy purists might take issue with the broad-brush portraits of philosophers and their ideas. Nonetheless, for those new to philosophy or those looking for a thought-provoking travelogue, "The Socrates Express" is a worthwhile read.
Overall, "The Socrates Express" is an engaging, enlightening, and ultimately inspiring read, full of wisdom from philosophers of the past that still holds relevance today. It is a testament to the enduring power of philosophy and its profound impact on how we understand ourselves and the world around us.