borumi's review against another edition
3.0
끝에 갈수록 집중력이 떨어지고 우울해져서 (딱히 책 때문은 아니었는데 말이죠)
다시 한번 자세~히 집중해서 읽고 싶네요..
뭐, 보통의 On Love는 약 네번 정도 (그중 한번은 한국어로) 읽었으니..
당연한 일이죠..
니체와 소크라테스, 몽테뉴는 어느정도 알았지만
다른 철학자들은 거의 이름만 알고 있었던것 같아요..
저의 얕은 지식을 조금 넓힐 수 있다는 점과
여러분과 다양한 관점에서 이런 책을 두고 이야기할 수 있었다는 점에서
위안을 얻었습니다.
보통의 신간 The pleasures and sorrows of work도 조만간 지를 것 같네요..^^
다시 한번 자세~히 집중해서 읽고 싶네요..
뭐, 보통의 On Love는 약 네번 정도 (그중 한번은 한국어로) 읽었으니..
당연한 일이죠..
니체와 소크라테스, 몽테뉴는 어느정도 알았지만
다른 철학자들은 거의 이름만 알고 있었던것 같아요..
저의 얕은 지식을 조금 넓힐 수 있다는 점과
여러분과 다양한 관점에서 이런 책을 두고 이야기할 수 있었다는 점에서
위안을 얻었습니다.
보통의 신간 The pleasures and sorrows of work도 조만간 지를 것 같네요..^^
bookslut92's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 definitely comforting and just a great introduction to these philosophers. The chapter on broken hearts really brought this down for me though. The author had a perfect opportunity to expand on Schopenhauer’s philosophy of breeding as the only reason for love but totally misses it.
caoilinreads's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed it this book, finishing it within a day and full of annotations. It’s no in-depth guide by any stretch of the imagination but instead a charming read on the lives and beliefs of our most cited and revered (male) philosophers. I enjoyed the writing immensely both in its humour and pace and for portraying some differing perspectives on how we might aim to live our lives, with the insights gleaned hopefully helping to console us in one way or another.
michaelacabus's review against another edition
5.0
The premise of this book seems simple enough...philosophy as a way to deal with life's problems.
However even a cursory knowledge of philosophy reveals that philosophy is full of contradiction. Should we lead a life in which we avoid pain, or is avoiding pain denying the world the great art you will create as a response (as Wagner quipped, get married or write an opera). Is life about hedonism or living stoically (hedonism is less exciting when you realise it's more about enjoyment in simplicity).
We do get a sense though from this book about the usefulness of philosophy, despite its contradictions, particularly as a way to break down paradigms that may be part of current culture. Stoicism may help us see failure as more acceptable; Neitzche may even make us feel failure is a part of being powerful. It may even prevent a bad marriage.
As a map of a way to live philosophy is worth the complexity. It's really the only way to figure out different modes of living. The life you save may be your own.
A+
However even a cursory knowledge of philosophy reveals that philosophy is full of contradiction. Should we lead a life in which we avoid pain, or is avoiding pain denying the world the great art you will create as a response (as Wagner quipped, get married or write an opera). Is life about hedonism or living stoically (hedonism is less exciting when you realise it's more about enjoyment in simplicity).
We do get a sense though from this book about the usefulness of philosophy, despite its contradictions, particularly as a way to break down paradigms that may be part of current culture. Stoicism may help us see failure as more acceptable; Neitzche may even make us feel failure is a part of being powerful. It may even prevent a bad marriage.
As a map of a way to live philosophy is worth the complexity. It's really the only way to figure out different modes of living. The life you save may be your own.
A+
rmichno's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping it would be interesting but something about the writing style turned me off after the first few chapters.
sam_bizar_wilcox's review against another edition
2.0
The Marie Kondo of philosophy. Alain de Botton takes a similar space in the cultural sphere as Malcolm Gladwell: a public intellectual who makes sort of specious claims or explains relatively obvious phenomena. De Botton is a far more eloquent writer than Gladwell, of course. But that's not to excuse the relative lack of substance that The Consolations offer.
worldlibraries's review against another edition
5.0
I had low expectations of this book. I had little interest in the author or the subject. Having never taken a philosophy course, I didn't see the point of learning about it now, after all, Americans are often more practical than theoritical - and nobody had asked me lately what I thought of Nietzsche so I didn't feel any burning desire to learn about him. Maybe 10,000 Americans or less get paid for their knowledge of philosophy each year? I had no illusions delving into the subject would be useful or relevant to my life. I imagined a ponderous, heavy slog through the title.
I was wrong. This book was utterly delightful. Not only was the book an easy, breezy read, it was a charming read. If it had not been for my book club choosing it, I would not have been exposed to it. That's the whole point of book clubs, isn't it? They get you to read something outside of your interests. I highly recommend this title.
I was wrong. This book was utterly delightful. Not only was the book an easy, breezy read, it was a charming read. If it had not been for my book club choosing it, I would not have been exposed to it. That's the whole point of book clubs, isn't it? They get you to read something outside of your interests. I highly recommend this title.
cassiehelen's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I didn’t know anything about Alain De Botton before reading, but I did have a basic knowledge of the philosophers he writes about. I enjoyed his unique and humorous take on ancient philosophy. I loved how he told their stories and described them, not as almost godlike geniuses as many philosophy books do, but as real people with real issues just like us. I found myself comparing my issues to men who lived thousands of years ago and I think that’s a very powerful and humbling thing to do. Alain doesn’t patronise, he simply points out the easy logic within the wise words and how we can use it today. This is a very clever book and I’d recommend this to even philosophy beginners. It will open you up to a world of questioning.
ejsidney's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this review of the major phiosophers. I developed an interest in philosophy well after the end of my formal education and feel a little overwhelmed by it. This book helped give me summaries of the philophers and their philosophies. It is easy and fun to read.
rumbledethumps's review against another edition
3.0
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.