Name: The Consolations of Philosophy
Rating: 3.547169811320755 (53 reviews)
ISBN: 9780140276619

Alain De Botton

"Witty, thoughful, entertaining ... a stylish book, which manages to make philosophy both enjoyable and relevant, at the same time providing a very sensible digest of consolations for many of our current psychological ills" Anthony Clare, LiteraryReview

The Consolations of Philosophy

Jessica Hsu

Rage is caused by a conviction, almost comic in its optimistic origins (however tragic in its effects), that a given frustration has not been written into the contract of life.

We may be powerless to alter certain events, but we remain free to choose our attitude towards them, and it is in our spontaneous acceptance of necessity that we find our distinctive freedom.

The author attempts to make philosophy useful by using the great philosophers to heal a variety of psychic ailments.

Greg Talbot

"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.

A brief of some great philosophers and their ideas about humans life's challenges. The writer examined each idea and searched them in our daily lives, and also he defend and criticized the idea's, so you can think about them without bias.

Davood Ghanbarpour

Kehinde Adeleke

Can Philosophy perhaps offer us consolation?Maybe. What Alain has presented us here is an exploration of the ideas of philosophers and their ideas. It cuts across money to frustration to love and I've certainly gained a lot from their ideas. Yes, certainly. There's been a change in my perception of things especially with respect to pain and suffering.

It is a good read.

rumbledethumps

An introductory look at the lives and ideas of 6 European philosophers, with a bit of the author’s own perspectives thrown in. Certainly not comprehensive, but interesting.

From the author of How Proust Can Change Your Life, a delightful, truly consoling work that proves that philosophy can be a supreme source of help for our most painful everyday problems. Perhaps only Alain de Botton could uncover practical wisdom in the writings of some of the greatest thinkers of all time. But uncover he does, and the result is an unexpected book of both solace and humor. Dividing his work into six sections -- each highlighting a different psychic ailment and the appropriate philosopher -- de Botton offers consolation for unpopularity from Socrates, for not having enough money from Epicurus, for frustration from Seneca, for inadequacy from Montaigne, and for a broken heart from Schopenhauer (the darkest of thinkers and yet, paradoxically, the most cheering). Consolation for envy -- and, of course, the final word on consolation -- comes from Nietzsche: "Not everything which makes us feel better is good for us." This wonderfully engaging book will, however, make us feel better in a good way, with equal measures of wit and wisdom.

A good and modern introduction to many well-known philosophers and straightforward explanations and interpretations of their wisdom, knowledge and teachings.

Kyler Phillips

Emma

It was a genuine pleasure to read such a poetic and engaging account of philosophers (and philosophies) that offer us a semblance of solace as we navigate life ♥️

Bouke van der Bijl

This is a nice book. It goes through some of the things people struggle with (heartache, money envy, etc.) and presents a philosophy from a certain philosopher as a way to mentally deal with each. Very accessible book! Worth a re-read.

Alyssa Jacunski

it was very informational, but its not my style of reading for pleasure.

Tina Iuso

Alain de Botton's The Consolations of Philosophy takes the discipline of logic and the mind back to its roots. Drawing inspiration from six of the finest minds in history - Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche - he addresses lack of money, the pain of love, inadequacy, anxiety and conformity. De Botton's book led one critic to call philosophy 'the new rock and roll'.

The Consolations of Philosophy

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