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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
To be disliked is to be free. There. I saved you a very frustrating reading experience. Do you have the courage to be disliked? I certainly hope this book does, because respectfully, Woof. Okay, maybe if you are brand new to this planet, have never done any work on yourself, and lack even a modicum of common sense, then sure, this book might be for you. But if you have been a human being here for more than let's say 2-5 years, I'd wager you can probably skip this one. This experience was like reading a book written by aliens about manners and how to act...I don't know, baseline NORMAL, in a wide range of circumstances. The presentation is attempting to mimic a Socratic discussion between philosopher and teacher, but this starves it of humanity, warmth and relatability. Which is a real shame because the only part I enjoyed was the Afterword, where I seemed to get an actual taste of the more natural writing style of the authors, and actually quite enjoyed getting to know them. That said, I don't know if the book had been presented differently if I would have enjoyed it anymore, because of the misogynistic undertones, inconsistencies, and oversimplifications happening throughout. Trauma doesn't exist? Girls only care about attention from boys? When you praise someone or tell them they did a "good job" you're condescending to them? The main character has no friends at one point and it's a major issue for him and then pages later defends that they have many friends? Sorry? What are we doing here? I knew from the first few chapters that I would be cringing through a lot of this, but I kept my head down and slogged through, because as a Leo, I like to dislike things in their fullness. I really think the biggest problem for this book lies in the presentation. If you told me AI wrote this, I would n'ere bat a single eye. If you are looking for a book that is a relatable, warm, inviting introduction to a bevy of philosophers and their hot takes, I recommend How to be Perfect by Michael Schur.
This book is mind-blowing!
I do not have a background in Psychology, but this book made Adler's psychology easy to grasp and also implement into one's own life! I am a total fan and recommend it to everyone, who has a certain willingness for change.
I do not have a background in Psychology, but this book made Adler's psychology easy to grasp and also implement into one's own life! I am a total fan and recommend it to everyone, who has a certain willingness for change.
Although I was interested in the topic of Adlerian pyschology, the execution of this book was excruitiating. It is presented as a conversation between a student and philosopher which makes the book mind numbingly slow, detracts from the topc, and about 100 pages long than necessary.
I had a hard time at the beginning because of the conversation format of the book.
The book though really contains valuable points about how to be happier and define the meaning of your own life:
Self acceptance
Confidence in others
Contribution to others
The book though really contains valuable points about how to be happier and define the meaning of your own life:
Self acceptance
Confidence in others
Contribution to others
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Some pretty intriguing thoughts and well-crafted sentences. Def recommend it on tape, though, Kona dry for a sit down
I’m intrigued by the idea of teleology vs etiology and the ability to discern the functional implications of each. I plan to dig into this more on my own and in my work. I also think there are some interesting sound bites around relationships, choice, acceptance of not being special, community, self-esteem, the earnest dance of here and now as a series of moments vs some linear mountain to climb.
This is one of the first philosophy books that I have read - and I really enjoyed it. Adler's thoughts carry a lot of wisdom and the dialogue form of writing made it easy for me to relate to the content.
Some key phrases I enjoyed were:
- "It's not what one is born with, but what use one makes of that equipment"
- "All problems are interpersonal relationship problems"
- the concept of separation of tasks
- the idea of building horizontal relationships instead of vertical ones
- Happyness as the feeling of contributing to the wider community
- the clear focus on the here and now
... and probably many others. This book definitely has a lot of things to think about!
Some key phrases I enjoyed were:
- "It's not what one is born with, but what use one makes of that equipment"
- "All problems are interpersonal relationship problems"
- the concept of separation of tasks
- the idea of building horizontal relationships instead of vertical ones
- Happyness as the feeling of contributing to the wider community
- the clear focus on the here and now
... and probably many others. This book definitely has a lot of things to think about!
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I had to DNF this book. Personally I am not a fan of self-help books but I tried reading this for a grad school class of mine. This book oversimplified and negated people’s trauma, physical disabilities, mental health, and struggles in life. While there were occasional good points made, it would be defended with some obscene or insensitive comment that made the book unworthy of finishing because it was so frustrating.