Recommended by Miss McLaren
This book was suggested by my god-daughter, who's about to sit her GCSEs, and tells me it's been enabling her to keep a sense of perspective amid all the revision.
Author Jules Evans introduces the ideas of the great classical philosophers in twelve illuminating chapters, that take the reader from Socrates to Seneca, Pythagoras to Plato, via cynicism, scepticism, mysticism and anarchy.
While there are plenty of engaging 'introduction to philosophy' guides out there - the 'Action Philosophers' comics are particularly entertaining - what makes Evans's book different is his focus on philosophy as 'medicine for the soul'.
He's especially interested in the application of classical philosophy to contemporary life, whether it's to train soldiers for the modern battlefield, set up alternative communities, expose charlatans or enhance psychotherapy. Drawing on interviews with fire-fighters and gangsters, magicians, scientists and professional idlers, Evans looks at how adapting the thoughts of each philosopher might actually work in practice in today's world and what sort of society they might lead to.
An enthusiastic and genuinely open-minded writer, Evans is clearly intrigued by the ways in which the 21st century has customised classical philosophy to suit its own purposes. His book tackles profound and complex ideas, while always remaining accessible and user-friendly, and enlivened with many anecdotes and case studies. Even if (like me) you know next to nothing about philosophy when you begin reading, you'll end up feeling distinctly more enlightened by the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment