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bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
Alain de Botton has become one of my favorite contemporary public intellectuals, reviving an approach to philosophy and art which has been derided by most high brow philosophers and scholars. He uses 6 important philosophical figures to make one major--and incredibly compelling--point; ideas matter only in as much as they help us to live well. He means this in the most concrete sense. If any adventure into the world of ideas, any assertion is made, which does not equip us with the tools to navigate existence pains and daily challenges, then we should give it up. Cast it aside. If your philosophy does not change the way another person lives, to enliven their hearts, expand their imagination, provide them insight into their relationships with themselves and others, then it is abstraction--useless, navel-gazing, intellectual snobbery. Alain de Botton is accessible, charming, and hopeful despite his penchant for pessimism. Citing Schopenhauer, the philosopher of pessimism he refrains "there is only one inborn error, and that is the notion that we exist in order to be happy...much would have been gained if through timely advice and instruction young people could have had eradicated from their minds the erroneous notion that the world has a great deal to offer them."
He begins the book with his weakest chapter, a celebration of Socrates and the consolation one can find in "truth" and "reason" despite holding unpopular beliefs. Sure, Socrates is important. Every person exposed to any philosophy has heard that. Socrates never really moved him in his dialogues. His inclusion of Epicurius made up for that.
His chapters on Schopenhauer and Seneca stand as the strongest contributions, investigating, respectively, "Consolation for a Broken Heart" and "Consolation for Frustration." De Botton gently rallies against the excesses of romanticism and idealism. We have to accept our circumstances and somewhat limited ability to will a different world into existence. He reminds us that we are like dogs bound by a leash to a moving cart. The cart represents the world, a chain of events that continues to roll forward, regardless of what we do. We can fuss and fight all we want, but if we resist this unstoppable motion, we will get dragged and destroyed. Still, we have freedom enough, despite being tethered, to make choices and adjust how we respond to circumstances. Wisdom lies in knowing what we can and cannot change (and the Serenity Prayer popularly states).
As a recovering romantic and idealist, this book was a good correction for me. Life is hard. Philosophy is good, as long as it is useful. Philosophy doesn't have to be dry, stuffy, and unaffecting! This might be a decent book for a high school or college student needing convincing of the uses of philosophy. The Consolation of Philosophy is a surprisingly light read, dressed up with stories and fun facts about 6 great thinkers.
Philosophy is for the masses, and de Botton makes that possible. He is a regular man's philosopher: "Not everything which makes us feel better is good for us. Not everything which hurts may be bad."
He begins the book with his weakest chapter, a celebration of Socrates and the consolation one can find in "truth" and "reason" despite holding unpopular beliefs. Sure, Socrates is important. Every person exposed to any philosophy has heard that. Socrates never really moved him in his dialogues. His inclusion of Epicurius made up for that.
His chapters on Schopenhauer and Seneca stand as the strongest contributions, investigating, respectively, "Consolation for a Broken Heart" and "Consolation for Frustration." De Botton gently rallies against the excesses of romanticism and idealism. We have to accept our circumstances and somewhat limited ability to will a different world into existence. He reminds us that we are like dogs bound by a leash to a moving cart. The cart represents the world, a chain of events that continues to roll forward, regardless of what we do. We can fuss and fight all we want, but if we resist this unstoppable motion, we will get dragged and destroyed. Still, we have freedom enough, despite being tethered, to make choices and adjust how we respond to circumstances. Wisdom lies in knowing what we can and cannot change (and the Serenity Prayer popularly states).
As a recovering romantic and idealist, this book was a good correction for me. Life is hard. Philosophy is good, as long as it is useful. Philosophy doesn't have to be dry, stuffy, and unaffecting! This might be a decent book for a high school or college student needing convincing of the uses of philosophy. The Consolation of Philosophy is a surprisingly light read, dressed up with stories and fun facts about 6 great thinkers.
Philosophy is for the masses, and de Botton makes that possible. He is a regular man's philosopher: "Not everything which makes us feel better is good for us. Not everything which hurts may be bad."
irfan3's review against another edition
4.0
Great lessons & consolations on life by legendary philosophers across time. However, Alain's writing is almost incomprehensible for someone with mediocre English.
minusfigures's review against another edition
Excellent as an introduction to philosophical ideas: engaging and entertaining.
roguetomato's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
duckyquack's review
I'll come back to it but it's just not the time right now. It's a great book tho
Kind of a reference book more than anything in my mind
Kind of a reference book more than anything in my mind
denisecg's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating and informative. Would read it again and again.