Tag: Philosophy
Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life (Nassim Nicholas Taleb)
Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“A bold new work from the author of The Black Swan that challenges many of our long-held beliefs about risk and reward, politics and religion, finance and personal responsibility
In his most provocative and practical book yet, one of the foremost thinkers of our time redefines what it means to understand the world, succeed in a profession, contribute to a fair and just society, detect nonsense, and influence others. Citing examples ranging from Hammurabi to Seneca, Antaeus the Giant to Donald Trump, Nassim Nicholas Taleb shows how the willingness to accept one’s own risks is an essential attribute of heroes, saints, and flourishing people in all walks of life. Continue reading…
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (Jordan B. Peterson)
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson’s answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research.
Humorous, surprising and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street. Continue reading…
Of the Conduct of the Understanding (John Locke)
Of the Conduct of the Understanding: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“John Locke, widely known as the Father of Liberalism, was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers. Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Francis Bacon, he is equally important to social contract theory. His work had a great impact upon the development of epistemology and political philosophy. His writings influenced Voltaire and Rousseau, many Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, as well as the American revolutionaries. Continue reading…
Highlights from Thoughts Are Things (William Walker Atkinson)
From our journey through random or quality (or random quality) books, here are some highlights from William Walker Atkinson’s Thoughts Are Things (1889).
Emphasis as it appears in the original work may be missing, and our own edits, though marked, may be broad. Important: By sharing these highlights we neither endorse nor recommend respective authors and their views. Assume that we know little of the authors, and that we have nuanced views on the matter—as with all our book recommendations.
The first reading of this book will serve as but a mere “taste” of its contents.
The Way Toward Health (Jane Roberts)
The Way Toward Health: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“In September 1984, the voice that had spoken for one of the most profound and prolific metaphysical teachers of the 20th century fell silent. Seth, the entity who described himself as an ‘energy personality essence no longer focused in physical matter,’ had spoken exclusively through Jane Roberts since 1963. During the long illness that led to her death, Jane continued to channel Seth from her hospital bed, but this final work was left unfinished. Now, in The Way Toward Health, Jane’s husband, Robert Butts, shares with us the intimate story of Jane’s final days, and the exquisite teachings that Seth gave during that time. Continue reading…
Flatland (Edwin A. Abbot)
Flatland: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“Flatland is a two-dimensional world of geometric figures. The narrator is a square, which makes him a member of the professionals. He has a dream about a one-dimensional world of lustrous points called Lineland. He trys to convince the Lineland King of a second dimension but it is impossible for the King to see outside of his straight line. A Sphere visits Flatland once each millennium to train a new apostle of the existence of Spaceland a three dimensional world. The Square cannot comprehend a third dimension until he sees Spaceland for himself. Continue reading…
Free Thought and Official Propaganda (Bertrand Russell)
Free Thought and Official Propaganda: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“This is the Conway memorial lecture, delivered by Mr. Russell at South Place Institute, London, 24 March, 1922.
Moncure Conway, in whose honour we are assembled to-day, devoted his life to two great objects: freedom of thought and freedom of the individual. In regard to both these objects, something has been gained since his time, but something also has been lost. New dangers, somewhat different in form from those of past ages, threaten both kinds of freedom, and unless a vigorous and vigilant public opinion can be aroused in defence of them, there will be much less of both a hundred years hence than there is now. Continue reading…
Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment (Robert Wright)
Why Buddhism Is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“From one of America’s greatest minds, a journey through psychology, philosophy, and lots of meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness.
Robert Wright famously explained in The Moral Animal how evolution shaped the human brain. The mind is designed to often delude us, he argued, about ourselves and about the world. And it is designed to make happiness hard to sustain.
But if we know our minds are rigged for anxiety, depression, anger, and greed, what do we do? Continue reading…
The Nature of the Psyche: Its Human Expression (Jane Roberts)
The Nature of the Psyche: Its Human Expression: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“From the best-selling author of Seth Speaks and The Nature of Personal Reality:
Seth, speaking exclusively through Jane Roberts, reveals a startling new concept of self, answering questions about the secret language of love, human sexuality, the real origins and incredible powers of dreams, and how we choose our physical death—sometimes years in advance.
For the first time Seth explains why love is the basic language from which all others spring; the bisexual nature of humanity and its biological and spiritual importance; the true basis of homosexuality and lesbianism—along with their private and social affects; the benefits of recalling our dreams and consciously participating in them; how dreams can prevent chronic illnesses by providing important therapeutic information; simple exercises you can do to expand your awareness of the deeper portions of your psyche and stretch your abilities to their fullest potential. Continue reading…
The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained (Will Buckingham, Douglas Burnham, et al.)
The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained: Learn more at Amazon or at Goodreads.
“An essential introduction to the history, concepts, and thinking behind philosophy that demystifies what can often be daunting subject matter, laid out in DK’s signature visual style.
Are the ideas of René Descartes, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Locke, and Thomas Hobbes still relevant today? The Philosophy Book unpacks the writings and ideas of more than 100 of history’s biggest thinkers, taking you on a journey from Ancient Greece to modern day. Explore feminism, rationalism, idealism, existentialism, and other influential movements in the world of philosophy. Continue reading…