The stoic philosophy principles may be old, but they merit the attention of any modern individual who wishes to have a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling who wishes, that is, to have a good life. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of stoic philosophy, one of the most popular and successful. This book provided a thorough overview into the philosophy and importantly the actual practice of stoicism. The philosophy of the good life the gifford lectures. The best books on philosophy and everyday living five.
Reading the best philosophy books gives us the opportunity to look into those hidden depths and understand our own thinking and behavior at a deeper level, helping us eliminate behavior we dont like. If you go into a bookshop now there would be a whole bookcase of introductory books, but 20 years ago there were surprisingly few philosophy books designed for the general reader. But of course, everyone has their own problems and are dealing with the difficulties of life in some way or another. Not only the views are different but also the stakes and worries.
The alchemist by paulo coelho, mans search for meaning by viktor e. The irony is this is actually what ancient philosophy was intended to ameliorate. I have read a number of books on philosophy many about concepts that i still find. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of stoic philosophy, one of the. The best introductions to philosophy five books expert. Including quick summaries for beginners of modern philosophy books, eastern philosophy, western philosophy and more. The best philosophy books of all time updated for 2020.
In ancient times, plato and aristotle and other philosophers did deal with theoretical problems, but the greeks and the romans understood philosophy as something that people had and used in everyday life, and there were competing schools of philosophy. Even in everyday speech, if we say someone is living the good life, we probably mean that they enjoying lots of recreational pleasures. The collision of stone and computer ages was shortlived, but the deeprooted themes of this book remain. I didnt know anything about philosophy before i read this book.
This guide includes the best philosophy books from throughout history. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of stoic philosophy, one of the most popular and successful schools of thought in ancient rome, and shows how its. In a guide to the good life, irvine offers a refreshing presentation of stoicism, showing how this ancient philosophy can still direct us toward a better life. Buy a discounted hardcover of a guide to the good life online from australias leading online bookstore. Listen to a guide to the good life audiobook by william b. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of stoic philosophy, one of the most popular and successful schools of thought in ancient rome, and shows how its insight and advice are still remarkably applicable to modern lives. Very few people wake up and think i need philosophy. In one of the books ive chosen, the guide to the good life. Essentially a selfhelp workbook on creativity, this lifechanging book coaxes readers along a spiritual, artistic path. Link to an enlarged image of a guide to the good life.
Irvine explains the stoic philosophy in such a way which makes it meaningful in the 21st century and dispels with a lot of myths associated with it. It is a solid book and will be a good read for somebody who heard about. But good life for a child, for a young person or for an old person are not the same philosophy. In the philosophy of the good life, gore examines the concept of the good life as it is entertained by the famous moral leaders of humankindzarathustra, the buddha, confucius, muhammad, socrates, plato and the stoics, the jewish prophets and, finally, jesus christ. With tasks to complete at the end of each chapter, reading this book is a dynamic affair.
One of the great fears many of us face is that despite all our effort and striving, we will discover at the end that we have wasted our life. Irvine plumbs the wisdom of stoic philosophy, one of. A guide to the good life, the ancient art of stoic joy by william b. Today, this hedonistic conception of the good life is arguably dominant in western culture.
Irvines book excels as a guide for practicing stoics or for individuals seeking to. A guide to the good life by william irvine book summary. Philosophy draws indiscriminately from all fields knowledge, in a never ending questioning. Although vaguely familiar with the stoic philosophy before i read this book. When i was teaching a level high school philosophy students and undergraduates, i was aware that there were no books to help people make the transition from an interest in philosophy to being able to read some of the classics. Deep and yet simple, this book has the power to flip the creativity switch in anyone from accountants to athletes and. Seneca, marcus aurelius, the art of living, and now this book, which is just so clear and so engaging. Read this book and be prepared to change your life. A grand goal in living is the first component of a philosophy of life.