Customer Reviews

The Consolations of Philosophy

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Stay ten feet away from this book if you think philosophy is a sacrosanct subject that can't be joked about. De Botton brilliantly juxtaposes serious text with photographs and diagrams that, by their very simplicity and obviousness, lighten the mood. I snorted when I reached the example of the "inebriated amateur potter" on pages 30-31. The humor is definitely quirky and you have to be willing to accept it for what it is.

There is not a single sentence of this book written in jargon; any reader can appreciate its clarity and wit. It features entertaining biographies and a few philosophical lessons from six philosophers: Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche. The second, third, and fourth were my favorites. Epicurus valued material pleasures but nevertheless counseled that, as long as we have food and shelter enough to survive, we should be contented. Seneca observed that we cannot control our own destinies and that life does not distribute pleasures and pains fairly, and warned us not to be surprised or outraged when disaster strikes. Montaigne pointed out that our minds are not in total control of our bodies, so, for example, if your sexual performance is not as vigorous as desired, you do not have to be ashamed but rather can openly admit that your body is being noncompliant with your desires.

These are all useful gems of wisdom. And from "The Consolations of Philosophy" we indirectly learn that humor is a kind of consolation, too.

I can't really say whether this book will help or console those going through the troubles the book deals with, mainly about the pain of unpopularity and lack of money and so on. But I read this book on a whim when I was going through a very harsh and prolonged sickness, and it lifted my spirits and took my mind off my body. What consoled me was learning about how others - famous deep thinkers of the past - dealt with their own pains and sorrows. I was going through a very real physical problem, but it's not necessarily the physical part of the body that needs consoling, but how the mind DEALS with the physical malady. A lot as has been said about how the mindset can affect the body. I won't delve into that, since this is a review of a book. But at least for those going through harsh times, this book will enlighten you. If not that, it will serve as a very entertaining escapism. In my case, it was both enlightenment and escapism.

I first saw this guy on video and liked his style. There seemed to be a push on his work (in the recommedations for you on Amazon) so I bought the book. I'm no scholar but I sure expected more in the written format and from a man with his credentials. As with most descriptions and reviews, this was presented as much more than it turned out to be. There are flashes of his wit and knowledge but overall I found it quite disappointing. It seems that this was more of an outline for a book rather than a finished product from a scholar. The illustrations are fillers to increase the size of the book and to add the illusion that it is an in-depth work. I bought it on-line, had I looked at it in a store I would not have purchased it. Seems to me that it's another example of publishers cashing-in on popularity and reputation to make a quick buck at the expense of the readers. I may give this guy one more chance before I stop reading his material.

Plato, Socrates, Epicurus, Montaigne, Shopenhauer..."all" these philosophers lives and philosophies are vividly described by the author.
You'd absolutely love this book.

Wondering what it's all about? Bothered by big questions, such as, why am I here, why have I no friends, why didn't I get a promotion ? The answers, my friend, are blowing in the wind. But if you've double glazing and can't stand the idea of religion or codology, then you should read this book. It'll give you the vague idea that you're nothing special, everybody hurts (sometime) and you should probably pull your socks up.

I had purchased How Proust Can Change Your Life some time ago and thought that it was wonderful. I was in the bathroom at Powell's and saw a poster for this book and went and picked up a copy right away. I really like the fact that he doesn't pick typical philsophers (Descartes, Kant, Wittgenstein). This was really my first exposure to Montaigne, Seneca, and Epicurus. His commentary was great as was the style and format of the book. Lots of pictures keep the spirit of it light and airy. This book felt actually helpful with the problems it dealt with, and I'm inspired to check into these philosophers that I didn't know so much about prior to this. I'd suggest this to anyone interested in philosophy, or I think it would make an excellent gift.

Let's start with the bad news: de Botton's book is not going to reveal much to anyone who has read very much philosophy, and will even annoy many philosophers and would be philosophers because it does not deal with "serious" philosophy. The good news is that, despite de Botton's sometimes very superficial rendering of the work of some of the great thinkers he discusses in Consolations, no one owns philosophy. (Philosophers: think that over before proceeding!)

There is no one kind of philosophy, no single "best" use to put it to, and no one right way of going about philosophizing.

De Botton has come under a fair amount of ridicule from philosophers for focusing on the problems of life we all face, instead of so-called "serious" philosophical problems. But this book wasn't written for philosophers, so those detractors should keep quiet. De Botton is clearly writing here for the non-philosopher, for the average person who had a more romantic vision of what modern philosophy was.

It is true that very few notable thinkers in the history of Western philosophy have written about such subjects as how to be happy, how to deal with grief or a broken heart, which are the aim of de Botton's efforts here. But some have. Among the six presented in the book, Seneca, Epicurus and Montaigne are examples. In the case of Socrates, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, De Botton uses the lives of these philosophers -- but not their philosophy - in order to pursue his self-help discussions. By doing so, he does not address the actual work of these thinkers, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he doesn't understand their real significance, nor is it a sign of his "betrayal" of these men or of philosophy.

Most philosophers today would consider it a joke to actually try to answer the question "What is the meaning of life?" While it is true that much of early Greek philosophy began as a study of life, specifically the nature of Ultimate Reality, or 'The One,' or, as it has become misleadingly known, God, and of course how our own lives relate to that reality, since even the time of Aristotle, thinkers began to branch out into many directions, each with their own particular interests and projects. Philosophy isn't what it once was, to be sure, but philosophers today are free to pursue any specialization they care to, even to attempt to resurrect what the ancients started. (See Peter Kinglsey for a good example.)

Are philosophers the best people to deal with the kinds of issues de Botton writes about? Probably not. They certainly can't be called "experts" in these issues, since their philosophical education never touched on any of these matters. Perhaps psychiatrists would be better suited to take these challenges up, even though they don't represent "illnesses" but merely the challenges of everyday life. Psychiatrists probably have a lot more experience listening to and responding to these kinds of problems, but if de Botton wants to try to help people in the name of philosophy, why not?

As with all things, this book has both positive and negative points. Alain De Botton writes in such a manner, that philosophy becomes available to the masses. (And without having to read the origional Greek, French, Latin, or German) However, he chooses to gloss over his explanations of his interpretations. This book is successful in exposing six renown philosophers to the casual student. However, for the serious student, it does little more than wet the appetite.

So, the question with the value of this book becomes what do you want to accomplish? If you are looking for a good book to read while sipping a Latte at your local Starbucks, and you want a conversation starter with that cute girl three tables over, then this is for you. If you actually need your philosophy expounded upon, then you'll need to look elsewhere.

Not to be mistaken for an introduction to philosophy, this little book is instead an entertaining primer on how to take a philosophical approach to life. Alain de Botton takes six human experiences or conditions (unpopularity, poverty, frustration, inadequacy, brokenheartedness and despair) and examines each from the point of view of a different philosopher (Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche). His writing is engaging and witty ("Few philosophers have thought highly of feeling wretched. A wise life has traditionally been associated with an attempt to reduce suffering.... Then again, pointed out Friedrich Nietzsche, the majority of philosophers have always been 'cabbage heads'"), yet de Botton never "dumbs down" the subject matter. THE CONSOLATIONS OF PHILOSOPHY is a light enough read for the subway, but substantial enough to provoke thought. Highly recommended; not for neophytes only.

This book was a great read. Alain de Botton shows what some of the greater thinkers had to say about everyday pains which all of us endure at some time in our lives:

Socrates on ridicule from the masses.

Epicurus on the pleasures of life.

Seneca on frustration which leads to temporary anger and being at peace with things you cannot control.

Montaigne on inadequacy (the title of the chapter), but really the value of a simple life, and the frustrations that lead to denying a picture of the whole individual which includes the rational and the physical such as farting, and sex.

Schopenhauer on the illusion of love and the causes of rejection.

Nietzche on the obstacles between us and our goals, and living a full and invigorating life.

Each chapter presents a theme, e.g. love lost, and a philosopher. What that philosopher had to say about the subject and the life of the philosopher and how that philosopher met with that difficulty. Scattered throughout are some nice photos and illustrations that help to emphasize the point and keep the book light.

I would say nearly every page had a nice juicy quote worthy of remembering that was written either by the philosopher or by Alain de Botton.

I particularly like the first 2-3 chapters where Botton summarizes in bullet form the guidelines to 'think rationally' according to Socrates, or Epicurus steps to discover if you believe that a desire is necessary for happiness.

The biggest surprises for me was the chapter on Epicurus and his recipe for happiness. I have been told by all my teachers that Epicurus was a 'party animal'. And that is all that was said about Epicurus. On the contrary, this chapter presents Epicurus as probably the first scientist for happiness; happy-ology.

The chapter of Nietzche was maybe my least favorite, mainly because I don't entirely agree with Nietzche. That great happiness is accompanied by great sadness seems quite in doubt to me. That someone living a good, happy, properous life is evidence that that person must have gone through pain is again doubtful. Look at all the rich kids. I think Nietzche should have read Socrates. Or, maybe the first chapter of this book!

You can read thousands of pages of these philosophers works and thousands more on their biographies. Then think for hours to distill these philosopher's viewpoints. Save yourself the hours. Botton does that for you here. This book is a great place to start on philosophy.

Personally, I would start with Seneca, since I seem to have roughly the same viewpoint as he does, and all the philosophers in the book refer to him. (Except for Epicurus and Socrates who lived before him.)

The back of the book describes this book as a self-help/philosophy book. I'm not sure I would call it a self-help book. If a long love of mine suddenly decides to leave me, I don't think knowing that Schopenhaur would tell me that "well you probably would have had ugly kids, so don't feel bad" will help any.

Instead of self-help, replace that with humor. The book is light, filled with wisdom, plenty of facts, and for me, lots of laughs. Time well spent, indeed.