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Filosofie Voor Het Leven En Andere Gevaarlijke Situaties (2012)

by Jules Evans(Favorite Author)

4.07 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Uitgeverij Ten Have

review 1: This is an excellent book. It covers a broad collection of ancient Western philosophy, distilling the essential contributions of each, and points out the elements that are common to all of them. But it does so not merely as an acadmic pursuit, but because the author believes that the great thinkers of antiquity, Socrates, Plato Aristotle, Epictetus and the rest, had discovered important truths about life and human nature that can help us now.Indeed, it is because we have forgotten much of this ancient wisdom, the Evans argues, that many of us find ourselves miserable and adrift now. The work is also partly autobiographial, and in it Evans relates his own struggles with substance abuse and depression. But he tells us that his outlook has brightened and his life has become m... moreore meaningful because he first found modern Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and, through that, found its philosophical roots in ancient philosophy.The book is written as a sort of series of visits with great philosophers. Evans wishes the reader to imagine herself as a student attending lectures by the great philosphers about whom he writes. This format is novel, and makes the book pleasant reading. What thinking person would not want to attend lectures from Socrates or Epicurus?There are many books ut now about mindfulness, Buddhism and CBT, but few of them recognize the Western roots of CBT. It is to Evans' reat credit that he reminds readers that philosophy is not merely a logic-chopping game for "jaded idlers in the garden of knowledge", but is rather a powerful tool for acheiving a deeper and ore meaningful life.The Stoics feature especially prominently in the book and, indeed, the ideas and techniques they taught have been enormously valuable to those who have been able to internalize them and use them in the face of adversity. Admiral James Stockdale is, perhaps, the most famous recent example, but Evans tells the stories of several more.In sum, this is a useful and accessible exploration of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy. Anyone who wishes to "live more deeply" and to deal with misfortunes with more fortitude and grace ought to read it.
review 2: LOVED IT! A great introduction to history's most well known philosophers, and what united, and set them apart, from one another. The real substance of the book however, comes from interviews and stories surrounding more modern attempts to revive these philosophical approaches. Just like the way education should be, no particular viewpoint is forced upon the reader, rather several are provided to allow the reader to make their own decision.I particularly enjoyed the way Jules managed to simultaneously tell his own story about his discovery of philosophy and how it improved his quality of life. It gave me a lot to think about regarding where my life is heading, as I personally feel I can relate to the situations he has found himself in. less

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