Modern Philosophy

The Birth and Death of Meaning uses the disciplines of psychology, anthropology, sociology, and psychiatry to explain what makes people act the way they do.

In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, Gary Gutting presents a wide-ranging but nonsystematic exploration of some highlights of Foucault's life and thought. Beginning with a brief biography to set the social and political stage, he then tackles Foucault's thoughts on literature, in particular the avant-garde scene; his philosophical and historical work; his treatment of knowledge and power in modern society; and his thoughts on sexuality.

Kant is arguably the most influential modern philosopher, but also one of the most difficult. Roger Scruton tackles his exceptionally complex subject with a strong hand, exploring the background to Kant's work and showing why the Critique of Pure Reason has proved so enduring.

There are many versions of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, so what’s so special about this one? A new, more accessible translation into modern English. A unique summary of 86 of the main ideas, along with the reference numbers of the passages in which they are mentioned. An insightful introduction to the life of Marcus Aurelius. The history of the Meditations – how they survived almost 2,000 years.The Meditations is a collection of twelve notebooks of thoughts written by Marcus Aurelius over a nineteen-year period. It is the diary of a Roman Emperor, written in the form of a series ...

In 1962, the young Eugene Rose - the future Hieromonk Seraphim - undertook to write a monumental chronicle of the abandonment of truth in the modern age. Of the hundreds of pages of materials he compiled for this work, only the present essay, on nihilism, has come down to us in completed form. Here Eugene reveals the core of all modern thought and life - the belief that all truth is relative - and shows how this belief has been translated into action in our era. Today, more than half a century after he wrote it, this essay is more timely than ever.

In a world driven by noise, speed, and conflict, calm is your most underestimated advantage. Calm Is a Weapon is a modern, insightful analysis of The Art of War, Sun Tzu’s timeless guide to strategy and leadership. Far from a dusty military manual, this book reveals how Sun Tzu’s wisdom can be applied to your daily life—at home, at work, in business, and in moments of personal challenge. Through clear interpretations and real-world applications, you’ll learn how to: Navigate conflict with clarity instead of chaos Make better decisions through strategic observation Build influence ...

Living Deliberately: Understanding and Applying the Major Ideas of Henry David Thoreau for a Simpler, Purposeful Life is your essential guide to the timeless ideas of one of America’s most influential thinkers. Whether you’re new to Thoreau or seeking to deepen your connection to his work, this book will inspire you to slow down, think deeply, and create a life centered around freedom, simplicity, and purpose. Explore Thoreau’s most powerful concepts—from living deliberately and simplifying your life to resisting injustice and reconnecting with nature. Through accessible ...

The philosopher Susan Neiman argues that the absence of appealing models of maturity is not an accident: By describing life as a downhill process, we prepare young people to expect - and demand - very little from it. In Why Grow Up?, she challenges our culture of permanent adolescence, turning to thinkers including Kant, Rousseau, and Arendt to find a model of maturity that is not a matter of resignation. In growing up, we move from the boundless trust of childhood to the peculiar mixture of disappointment and exhilaration that comes with adolescence.

Everyone's a cynic, yet few will admit it. Today's cynics excuse themselves half-heartedly - "I hate to be a cynic, but...." - before making their pronouncements. Narrowly opportunistic, always on the take, contemporary cynicism has nothing positive to contribute. The Cynicism of the ancient Greeks, however, was very different. Bold and shameless, it was committed to transforming the values on which civilization depends.

Bring meaning and joy to all your days with this internationally best-selling guide to the Japanese concept of ikigai - the happiness of always being busy - as revealed by the daily habits of the world's longest-living people.

Step into the transformative world of Zen with a guide that delivers twice the wisdom in one compelling volume. Zen Essentials: Exploring Rinzai and Soto Traditions combines two powerful books—Rinzai Zen for Beginners and Soto Zen for Beginners—to offer an unparalleled journey into mindfulness, simplicity, and the art of living well. Discover how the bold energy of Rinzai Zen and the serene flow of Soto Zen can transform your life: Sharpen Your Mind with Rinzai Zen: Experience the thrill of koans—enigmatic questions designed to ignite insight and clarity. Rinzai Zen challenges you to ...

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is one of the greatest guides to human flourishing ever written, but its length and style have left many readers languishing. How to Flourish is a colloquial new translation by Susan Sauve Meyer that makes Aristotle's timeless insights about how to lead a good life more engaging and accessible than ever before.

The audiobook shows you how to apply each idea to the challenges of the modern workplace and combine it with what you discover about yourself as you delve into your own strengths and weaknesses. You'll develop your own ability to see The Big Picture, connect with members of your organization, foster a meaningful and productive work environment, and steer your corporate ship through any challenge. Skills and experience might land you a leadership position... but they don't make you a true leader.

In Beyond Good and Evil, Friedrich Nietzsche attacks past philosophers for their alleged lack of critical sense and their blind acceptance of Christian premises in their consideration of morality. The work moves into the realm "beyond good and evil" in the sense of leaving behind the traditional morality, which Nietzsche subjects to a destructive critique, in favor of what he regards as an affirmative approach that fearlessly confronts the contextual nature of knowledge.

The moment you check your social media, you’re greeted with that familiar feeling of dread upon seeing all the terrible news from the world. You often wonder how you can grow resilient with all the devastating news on top of your personal struggles. Lastly, you can’t help but ask yourself, “Will I ever find inner peace so I can have a more fulfilling life?” Stoicism is an ancient yet timeless philosophy that allows you to experience calm, clarity, and purpose, helping you lead a fulfilling and more meaningful life.

This book is a discussion of French political philosophy from World War II to the present.

By calling everything into doubt, Descartes laid the foundations of modern philosophy. With the celebrated words "I think therefore I am," his compelling argument swept aside ancient and medieval traditions. He deduced that human beings consist of minds and bodies; that these are totally distinct "substances"; that God exists and that He ensures we can trust the evidence of our senses.

Spiritual teacher Michael A. Singer explores the question of human identity and shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and achieve happiness and self-realization.

Nearly two thousand years ago, a former slave named Epictetus opened a school in Greece . . . and became the most famous Stoic philosophy teacher in the world. The Urban Enchiridion updates his simple, life-changing lessons with modern expressions and images, envisioning how Epictetus would have talked about Stoicism if he had lived in our contemporary times. Adapted by the author of Stoic fables like The Stock Horse and the Stable Cat and A Dog Who Follows Gladly, this reworking of wisdom from Epictetus is a delightful look at how Stoicism can help you live a happier, more focused life.

For nearly 2,500 years, students, politicians, political thinkers, and military leaders have read the eloquent and shrewd speeches in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War for profound insights into military conflict, diplomacy, and the behavior of people and countries in times of crisis. How to Think about War presents the most influential and compelling of these speeches in an elegant new translation by classicist Johanna Hanink, accompanied by an enlightening introduction.