Customer Reviews

The Consolations of Philosophy

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Alain de Botton brings philosophy to a readable level. Rather than a dry discussion on the merits or otherwise of the thoughts of "long dead white men" he looks at situations we all face day to day - inadequacy, suffering, pain, and love - and opens up a new way to look at these situations.

The thing that made me keep reading, and the reason I recommend it to all my friends, is that Alain de Botton passes no judgement. He does not say "this is the way you must do things, this is the way you must think", rather he is simply presenting you with different perspectives on the same problems. It is actually a consolation to know that firstly, our problems are shared across all human civilisation, and secondly, there is no problem in not having all the answers. You come away from the book realising that all you need sometimes is a different perspective on your problems. You don't have to agree with his opinions, but from the questions posed and the way he's presented these dead white guys' philosophies, I think you will end up better able to deal with all the day-to-day things.

I think this is very much a case of teaching us to fish rather than providing us with a ready cooked 3-course meal, while remaining very readable and even quite consoling at times.

The Consolations of Philosophy is a lightweight interpretation of the great philosophers, exposes a reader to some ideas through a simplified voice --

1. Socrates on "Unpopularity": popularity has nothin to do with truth or error; instead we should be concern with reasoning instead of major opinions.

2. Epicurus on "not having enough money": money only buys a safety net for happiness, true happiness is based on friendship, freedom, and thought.

3. Seneca on "Frustration": frustration leads no where, so it's better to endure and accept frustration.

4. Montaigne on "Inadequacy": rather than discourage, we should find a way to be adequate.

5. Schopenhauer on "A broken heart": by telling the life story of Schopenhauer, who grief most of love.

6. Nietzsche on "Difficulties": a path to fulfillment

In summary, this book is a light reading of philosophy to makes us feel better. The author didn't make any judgment on any idea's rather provides a different perspectives on the problems. For the reader who is less interested in problem-solving in metaphysics and epistemology and more interested in philosophy as a guide to living a good life, this book will not disappoint.

"In 1997, a colleague, recommended The Consolations of Philosophy. I have just got round to reading it. Some 12 years later! Since then, the colleague has become a cherished friend, and I have learnt to trust his recommendations and easy natured wisdom. And Consolations certainly has much wisdom to impart. Perhaps sometimes, one has to be ready for a book before it is ready to be read."