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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Alain de Botton on The Consolations of Philosophy YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_CSHpMKn_I&list=WL&index=10&ab_channel=KingPhilosophy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_CSHpMKn_I&list=WL&index=10&ab_channel=KingPhilosophy
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Total waste of time, boring, patronising; not the cogent and impassioned argument of the benefits of philosophy in the modern world that I was expecting to read.
An excellent gallop through some interesting thinkers and their relevance to the issues of today.
"If you wish to draw pleasure out of life,
You must attach value to the world". - Goethe
What an interesting concept for a book. Narrowing in on some of western philosophy's greatest thinkers, and mapping their teachings to a setback or negative belief that we all deal with. Using Socrates story to discuss dealing with unpopularity, or Schopenhaur's will-to-life to understand romantic love or Montaigne's acceptance of all things human, so as to be comfortable with life's bitter reveals.
More pop-philosophy, than a deep dive into these philosophers, Botton does an excellent job of adding quotes, context of the men's lvies, and tying their thinking to deal with everyday problems. It's sort of a fun read that pokes at the deeper truths of these thinkers.
Sometimes the chapter transitions are a little strange. For instance in the "consolations of a broken heart" there are multiple chapters, but their organization is just bizarre. Also, when reading a book like this, you have to wonder why these 6 thinkers (Seneca, Socrates, Nietzche, Montaigne, Schopenhauer and Epicurus).
Still for little factoids, and thoughtful quotes, this book can be a good companion. It's not the best writing i've read by Alain de Botton, but it's creative enough of a read to dig into.
You must attach value to the world". - Goethe
What an interesting concept for a book. Narrowing in on some of western philosophy's greatest thinkers, and mapping their teachings to a setback or negative belief that we all deal with. Using Socrates story to discuss dealing with unpopularity, or Schopenhaur's will-to-life to understand romantic love or Montaigne's acceptance of all things human, so as to be comfortable with life's bitter reveals.
More pop-philosophy, than a deep dive into these philosophers, Botton does an excellent job of adding quotes, context of the men's lvies, and tying their thinking to deal with everyday problems. It's sort of a fun read that pokes at the deeper truths of these thinkers.
Sometimes the chapter transitions are a little strange. For instance in the "consolations of a broken heart" there are multiple chapters, but their organization is just bizarre. Also, when reading a book like this, you have to wonder why these 6 thinkers (Seneca, Socrates, Nietzche, Montaigne, Schopenhauer and Epicurus).
Still for little factoids, and thoughtful quotes, this book can be a good companion. It's not the best writing i've read by Alain de Botton, but it's creative enough of a read to dig into.
My previous encounters with Alain de Botton all came from religiously watching videos from his youtube channel, aptly named "The School of life".
This is the first time delightfully reading a literary work of his.
There are lots of things to love about this book. What I absolutely adored though, not just from this book alone but from Alain's persona which shines throughout his videos is the humility he exudes in the approach of his subjects. I love how he humanizes philosophy and philosophers, never with vilification but with understanding and compassion.
The book delivered everything it promised, I found consolation throughout the chapters on not fitting in, frustration, inadequacy, being broken hearted and not being wealthy, all this via a subject I hold dear to my heart: Philosophy.
An intimate favourite of mine!
This is the first time delightfully reading a literary work of his.
There are lots of things to love about this book. What I absolutely adored though, not just from this book alone but from Alain's persona which shines throughout his videos is the humility he exudes in the approach of his subjects. I love how he humanizes philosophy and philosophers, never with vilification but with understanding and compassion.
The book delivered everything it promised, I found consolation throughout the chapters on not fitting in, frustration, inadequacy, being broken hearted and not being wealthy, all this via a subject I hold dear to my heart: Philosophy.
An intimate favourite of mine!
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Really accessible and simple guide to few of the most popular philosophers and their ideas. Alain de Botton introduces their lives and basic views in an entertaining way but I wish there was more on the philosophy, not just their life stories. I’m not sure how much consolation this actually provided but I would recommend this for people who know next to nothing about philosophy and want to get into it. For the philosophy buffs, this might be a waste of time.