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How to Think About Exercise (The School of Life) by [Damon Young]

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Damon Young

How to Think About Exercise (The School of Life) Kindle Edition

by Damon Young (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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USING PHILOSOPHY TO EXPLORE THE BIG IDEAS BEHIND FITNESS AND WAYS TO ENJOY EXERCISE WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR MIND BEHIND

It can often seem as though existence is split in two: body and mind, flesh and spirit, moving and thinking. In the office or at study we are ‘mind workers,' with seemingly superfluous bodies. Conversely, in the gym we stretch, run and lift, but our minds are idle. In How to Think About Exercise, author and philosopher Damon Young challenges this idea of separation, revealing how fitness can develop our bodies and minds as one. Exploring exercises and sports with the help of ancient and modern philosophy, he uncovers the pleasures, virtues and big ideas of fitness. By learning how to exercise intelligently, we are contributing to our overall enjoyment of life and enhancing our full humanity. Find out how bestselling author Haruki Murakami quit smoking and took up running, and why the simple act radically changed his whole outlook on life; why Schopenhauer thought that swimming was a sublime act; how Charles Darwin came up with some of his best ideas while exercising; and much more.

The School of Life is dedicated to exploring life's big questions: How can we fulfill our potential? Can work be inspiring? Why does community matter? Can relationships last a lifetime? We don't have all the answers, but we will direct you toward a variety of useful ideas—from philosophy to literature, from psychology to the visual arts—that are guaranteed to stimulate, provoke, nourish, and console.

Print length

257 pages
Language

English
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On Kindle Scribe
Publisher

Picador
Publication date

January 6, 2015
File size

5570 KB
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Sara Maitland
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Why read a book about making exercise mindful? Would it surprise you to learn that the answer, at leasdt as far as Damon Young's well-written and delightful book goes, is that, well, it's good for you?....Whatever your sport is, the thoughtful reader will find something of interest in this book.” ―Brooklyn Bugle

“Australian philosopher Young seeks to expand our often dim view of exercise in this surprising, smart, and thoroughly enjoyable inquiry...With readings of David Hume and John Dewey, practical advice, and tales of his own fitness pursuits offered as both illustrative examples and comic relief, Young profoundly deepens our perception of the benefits of 'intelligent exercise' in this outstanding addition to the School of Life series.” ―Booklist

“In the age of moral and practical confusions, the self-help book is crying out to be redesigned and rehabilitated. The School of Life announces a rebirth with a series that examines the great issues of life, including money, sanity, work, technology, and the desire to alter the world for the better.” ―Alain De Botton, The School of Life Editor

“Self-Help Books for the Rest of Us.” ―The New York Times

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

DAMON YOUNG is an Australian philosopher, author, and commentator. He is an Honorary Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne and the author of several books, including Voltaire’s Vine and Other Philosophies. He lives in Melbourne, Australia. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JI0RRT0
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Picador (January 6, 2015)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 6, 2015
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 5570 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 257 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #501,384 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #35 in Walking for Exercise
- #79 in Humanism Philosophy
- #189 in Walking (Books)

Customer Reviews:
22 ratings

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Damon Young

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I'm an Australian philosopher, author and columnist.

I'm the author or editor of seven books, including five adult nonfiction and two children's books.

I'm an Honorary Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne, and Founding Faculty at the School of Life, Melbourne.

In 2013 I was awarded the AAP's Media Prize for my work in public philosophy.

I live in Melbourne's eastern suburbs with my wife, son and daughter.

Nonfiction Books

My new book, for UK Pan Macmillan's School of Life series, is How to Think About Exercise. It's out now in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, India. Other territories may follow.

My last book was Philosophy in the Garden, described by The Australian as "fluent and stylish and never marred by cliches or cliched thinking." The UK edition, Voltaire's Vine and Other Philosophies, will be published in April 2014 by Rider, an imprint of Random House. Editions will follow in Holland (Ten Have), Turkey (Can) and other territories soon.

My first book was Distraction, published in Australia, the US and UK. The UK's Financial Times called it "lucid and optimistic". It's also published in Mexico, in Spanish.

I'm also the editor, with Graham Priest, of Martial Arts and Philosophy: Beating and Nothingness. My next book with Graham, Philosophy and the Martial Arts: Engagement, will be out in 2014 with Routledge.

Nonfiction Books

My first children's picture book, My Nanna is a Ninja, will be published by UQP in March 2014. My second will follow in 2015. Both are illustrated by Peter Carnavas.

Opinion, Features and Reviews

I've published opinion, features and reviews for The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Australian Literary Review, Herald-Sun and BBC. I'm a regular columnist for the ABC and Canberra Times. My work is published in The Best Australian Science Writing 2013.

I've also written poetry and fiction for Overland and Meanjin magazines.

Radio and Television

I regularly comment on radio, including a monthly spot as a 'Modern Dilemmas' panelist on Radio National's 'Life Matters'. I was a regular guest on 'Mornings' with Alan Brough on ABC 774, 'philosopher-in-residence' on 'Afternoons' with James Valentine on ABC Sydney 702, and 'sports philosopher' with Francis Leach on SEN 1116. I've also spoken on television: ABC's 'The Drum' and 'Hack' and Channel 7's 'Sunrise'.

Academic Background

I have a PhD in Philosophy, after a BA (Hons) in Philosophy and Literature. I am an Honourary Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne, where I was a Research Fellow in Aesthetics from 2005-2007.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5

22 global ratings

5 star		32%
4 star		42%
3 star		13%
2 star		7%
1 star		7%

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Rayne

Philosophy 101

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 3, 2016

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I wanted this book to be the revolution in thinking about exercise that other reviewers seemed to feel it was. Sadly, I did not find this to be the case. This book read more like Philosophy 101 than what it purports, which is not to say I didn't enjoy it. It is well written for what it is, and one could always use a refresher on philosophical principles, especially through the lens of exercise which isn't typically done. However, for those looking for any sort of radical reimagining of exercise to reinvigorate your routine, this isn't that book.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Sustainable.

Another Masterclass in the Canon of Western Philosophy---Frequently Irrelevant to Cognition and Exercise.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 9, 2015

Verified Purchase

The School of Life series is usually reliable for offering refreshing takes on previously overdetermined self-help topics. This volume, however, is not as strong in doing so as the others for at least two reasons.

First, Young devotes each chapter to randomly chosen abstract virtues ("the Sublime," "Humility," etc.). The result is not an outline for reapproaching physical exertion but instead an excuse for yet another masterclass in "the Classics." A parade of obsolete neoclassicism (remember Patroclus, Antilochus, Polyclitus, and of course, Plato?) soon permeates what readers presumed to be a twenty-first century cognitive guide for rethinking exercise's meaning. But Young never clarifies how all of these Greek philosophers are instantly relatable to rock climbing, the martial arts, and jogging beyond making large moral-ethical claims that lack sustained evidence. Other volumes in the series provide evidence.

Second, it's never clear that "exercise" is Young's target. For example, most of the tenets of Greek neoclassicism that Young revives here could relate to any type of human activity---not necessarily unique or even specific to exercise. Thus, the book resembles a generalized review of Western Philosophers Young finds personally interesting. In fact, the book reads as though the series editors asked him to "make the canon of Western Philosophers relevant to the twenty-first century reader." Thus, we feel a bit cheated by the end as we stare at the twenty-first century gym through the eyes of the ancient Greeks.

Do yourself a favor and read "How to Age" or any of the other volumes. This one is not a strong contribution to the series.

23 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kimberly

Excellent Read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 16, 2018

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I struggle with finding the motivation to actually exercise, so this was a perfect way to find another perspective to get me going. Love this book. Love The School Of Life and what they're working toward.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

A. Mori

easy reading with good reflections

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 25, 2016

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great for people - like me - that are not yet proud of their athletic routine, but are in pursue of changing that.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Misanthrope

Disorganized and rambling

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 4, 2016

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I am not a big fan of exercise, but I do enjoy The School of Life's video series on YouTube. When I saw they'd published a philosophical book on exercise, I was very curious.
The book is divided up into several chapters, but each chapter is rather disorganized and has a "thrown at the wall" feeling. I didn't expect a great deal, but an editor would have really helped. Not recommended

4 people found this helpful

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Maya Pateva

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 25, 2015

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Good abstract thinking. Still needs some polish on the practical side to be truly beneficial.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Michael Wood, CSCS, PN1

A great resource for all fitness minded individuals

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 6, 2016

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A great resource for all fitness minded individuals. By the time you're done with Damon Young's book you'll have a whole different perspective when it comes to exercise.

One person found this helpful

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Bruce Crawford

A Must Read! 'Exercise" takes on a whole meaning ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 5, 2015

Verified Purchase

A Must Read!
'Exercise" takes on a whole meaning. It becomes a lot more than a number of "reps".