Has anyone read this? It's by Alain de Botton. It consists of 6 sections each containing a life situation and offers consolations for each based on the philosophies of the most fitting person. 1. Unpopularity-Socrates 2. Lack of Money- Epicurus 3. Frustration- Seneca 4. Inadequacy- Montaigne 5. Broken Heart- Schopenhauer 6. Envy- Nietzsche I've only read 2 sections thus far and my good friend has read 2 different ones. We are both in agreement that the book is so far fantastic. Has anyone else read this?
Have you ever read John Kennedy Toole's great novel, "A Confederacy of Dunces"? The anti-hero of the novel worshipped "The Consulation of Philosophy" I have not read it, yet. It isn't at my local library.
No I have not. I'm slightly further into the book and it's still great. I am still a newcomer to studying philosophy, so it's really giving me a chance to see some of the well-known philosopher's views so I can decide who I'd like to read further. I had to get my copy through inter-library loan. Although I did see a copy of it floating around at a couple of used book stores for around $10.
Philosophy is a dangerous habit; as bad as smoking. You'll end up dancing on pinheads. But, if you must, read P.D.Ouspensky or G.I.Gurdjieff. Or, preferably, read Zen Buddhist thought. Signed, an old man.
I've really got into Alan De Botton lately, beginning by chance when I found The Romantic Movement in the bargain basket! I've since got through How Proust Can Change Your Life and I'm working on Status Anxiety at the moment. I've also seen a few documentaries he's narrated and I'd give them the thumbs-up too. He seems to be able to make these abstract ideas accessible. What has the reaction to him been, does anyone know? I suppose I can understand if the more seriously philosophically-minded think he's churning out pop-philosophy to make a quick buck, but it works for me.
I think Epicurus had enough wealth to provide at the time a life of pontification. <--even if false--> validating theory is done by proving the false, by analysing error.
Oh, I thought this thread was going to be about The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius, who was a real philosopher and not a media personality like de Botton.