Modern Philosophy

One of the two major philosophical traditions of the twentieth century was linguistic analysis, derived largely from Wittgenstein. The other, diametrically opposed, came from Heidegger, and its fundamental question was, "What is the meaning of existence?" For Heidegger, this question could not simply be "analyzed away". It was beyond the reach of logic or reason. It was the primary "given" of every individual life. To confront it, Heidegger needed to develop an entire new form of philosophy.

Recognizing the power of the new and trying to understand and promote the conditions that make it possible, the Greeks were the first to write about innovation and even the first to record a word for forging something new. In short, the Greeks "invented" innovation itself - and they still have a great deal to teach us about it. How to Innovate is an engaging introduction to key ideas about - and examples of - innovation and creative thinking from ancient Greece. Armand D'Angour provides lively new translations of selections from Aristotle, Diodorus, and Athenaeus.

Am I happy enough? This has been a pivotal question since America's inception. "Am I not happy enough because I am depressed?" is a more recent version. Psychotherapist Gary Greenberg shows how depression has been manufactured---not as an illness but as an idea about our suffering, its source, and its relief. He challenges us to look at depression in a new way.

Understanding and Applying the Major Ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche: A Practical Guide to Nietzschean Philosophy for Modern Life Unlock the transformative power of one of philosophy’s most provocative thinkers with this comprehensive yet accessible guide to Friedrich Nietzsche’s major ideas. Whether you’re new to Nietzsche or seeking a deeper understanding, this book explores his groundbreaking concepts such as the Will to Power, the Übermensch, Eternal Recurrence, and the death of God — all explained in clear, practical terms. Discover how Nietzsche’s philosophy challenges ...

REVIEWS "One of that select group of men of science who also have high literary gifts."—Wall Street Journal "...these meditations offer the best appreciation of the adventure and beauty of the scientific quest, and they will inspire the young to join the great unfinished work."—Science "This is another collection of the lovely and haunting essays by Loren Eiseley, the naturalist writer who has given us so many delightful moments with his books....If there is a scientist anywhere writing more poetic prose, and making more sense with it, I have not encountered him....Eiseley seeks to ...

A cataclysmic planetary phenomenon is gathering force deep within the Earth. The magnetic North Pole will eventually trade places with the South Pole. Satellite evidence suggests to some scientists that the move has already begun, but most still think it won't happen for many decades. All agree that it has happened many times before and will happen again. But this time it will be different. It will be a very bad day for modern civilization.

One of the most influential Roman perspectives on religion came from a nonreligious belief system that is finding new adherents even today: Stoicism. How did the Stoics think about religion? In How to Think About God, Philip Freeman presents vivid new translations of Cicero's On the Nature of the Gods and The Dream of Scipio. In these brief works, Cicero offers a Stoic view of belief, divinity, and human immortality, giving eloquent expression to the religious ideas of one of the most popular schools of Roman and Greek philosophy.

If recent history has taught us anything, it's that sometimes the best guide to leadership is the negative example. But that insight is hardly new. Nearly 2,000 years ago, Suetonius wrote Lives of the Caesars, perhaps the greatest negative leadership book of all time. In How to Be a Bad Emperor, Josiah Osgood provides crisp new translations of Suetonius's briskly paced, darkly comic biographies of the Roman emperors Julius Caesar, Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero. Entertaining and shocking, these ancient anti-role models show how power inflames leaders' worst tendencies.

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.

In 63 BC, frustrated by his failure to be elected leader of the Roman Republic, the aristocrat Catiline tried to topple its elected government. Backed by corrupt elites and poor, alienated Romans, he fled Rome while his associates plotted to burn the city and murder its leading politicians. The attempted coup culminated with the unmasking of the conspirators in the Senate. In How to Stop a Conspiracy, Josiah Osgood presents a brisk, modern new translation of the definitive account of these events, Sallust's The War with Catiline.

· Deepen your understanding of modern life: Explore how genes, environment, and free speech shape our world in thought-provoking essays.· Uncover the power of humour and wit: Discover how humour serves as a tool for expressing complex ideas.· Challenge your perspectives: Examine the subjectivity of vision, the scholar's world, and the artist's craft.· Grapple with contemporary issues: Delve into conspiracy theories, literary analysis, and the value of democracy in the modern age.· Confront your fears and societal assumptions: Explore humanity's anxieties, societal arrogance, and the ...

Unlock the power of existential freedom and transform your everyday life with the wisdom of Jean-Paul Sartre. In Understanding Jean-Paul Sartre: How to Apply Existentialist Philosophy to Modern Life, this clear, engaging guide breaks down Sartre’s most influential ideas—from radical freedom and personal responsibility to bad faith, authenticity, and the gaze. Whether you’re a beginner to philosophy or simply seeking a deeper way to live with intention, this book offers practical insights you can apply to real-world choices, relationships, and even mental health. Learn how Sartre’s ...

"AI Debates John Searle" is a groundbreaking exploration into the intersection of artificial intelligence and philosophy, featuring a series of simulated debates between one of the most renowned philosophers of the modern era, Dr. John Searle, and a state-of-the-art AI model. Authored by Richard Aragon, this thought-provoking book is part of the acclaimed 'AI Debates' series, where real AI models engage with history’s greatest thinkers on topics that define the future of AI and modern society. In this volume, readers are taken on a journey through some of the most profound questions ...

At one time, Corrie ten Boom would have laughed at the idea that she had a story to tell. For the first 50 years of her life, nothing out of the ordinary ever happened to her. She was a spinster watchmaker living contentedly with her sister and their elderly father in the tiny house over their shop in Haarlem. Their uneventful days, as regulated as their own watches, revolved around their abiding love for one another. But with the Nazi invasion and occupation of Holland, everything changed....

A majestic work of intellectual and cultural history, The Secular Enlightenment demonstrates how secular values and pursuits took hold of 18th-century Europe, spilled into the American colonies, and left their lasting imprint on the Western world for generations to come.

Epistemic vices are character traits, attitudes, or thinking styles that prevent us from gaining, keeping, or sharing knowledge. In this book, Quassim Cassam gives an account of the nature and importance of these vices, which include closed-mindedness, intellectual arrogance, wishful thinking, and prejudice. In providing the first extensive coverage of vice epistemology, an exciting new area of philosophical research, Vices of the Mind uses real examples drawn primarily from the world of politics to develop a compelling theory of epistemic vice.

In thirteen iconoclastic essays, Slavoj Žižek disrupts the death-grip that neoliberalists, Trumpian populists, toxic self-improvement industries and accelerationists alike have established on the idea of progress. Anatomizing what is lost when opponents of the future are allowed to define it, Žižek ruthlessly exposes what different visions of progress exclude or sacrifice and the dynamics of desire, denial and disavowal at work in Hollywood blockbusters, Buddhist economics, decolonization movements and other engines of vision.

Transform Rejection into Your Secret Weapon for Success Are you tired of letting rejection control your life? Ready to turn every "no" into rocket fuel for your biggest breakthroughs? What if rejection wasn't your enemy, but your greatest teacher? Drawing from the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius and 2,000 years of proven Stoic philosophy, this powerful guide reveals how to transform life's inevitable rejections into stepping stones toward extraordinary success and unshakeable confidence. Inside This Life-Changing Book, You'll Discover: ✓ The 13 Ancient Secrets that turn rejection into ...

The Beginner’s Guide to Nihilism: How to Embrace the Void in a Life Without Meaning is your accessible, thought-provoking introduction to one of philosophy’s most misunderstood ideas. Whether you’re feeling existential dread, curious about the deeper meaning of life (or lack thereof), or simply intrigued by how nihilism shows up in memes, movies, and modern culture—this book is your roadmap. In clear, engaging language, this guide breaks down the origins, types, and evolution of nihilistic thought—from Friedrich Nietzsche and Dostoevsky to internet culture and psychology. You’ll...

Who needs philosophy? Ayn Rand's answer: Everyone. This collection of essays was the last work planned by Ayn Rand before her death in 1982. In it, she summarizes her view of philosophy and deals with a broad spectrum of topics. According to Ayn Rand, the choice we make is not whether to have a philosophy, but which one to have: a rational, conscious, and therefore practical one, or a contradictory, unidentified, and ultimately lethal one.