Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Do Doctors Really Care About Their Patients?

Do doctors really care about their patients? How much of health care is about the appearance of care as opposed to substantive help? In The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson say that many of our social systems are driven by ulterior motives. That means that some of our most important institutions—including health care—are built around goals we’re not even aware of. Keep reading for the authors’ argument on institutional hidden motives.

How to Build a Startup Team: Fill These 3 Roles

Why shouldn’t you start a business by yourself? What kind of partners should you look for? When it comes to starting a new business, entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba advise against going it alone. They explain why you need partners and what kind of people you should add to your team. They say you should fill three roles: an innovator, a promoter, and a specialist. Keep reading for Ali and Kubba’s advice on how to build a startup team.

Machiavelli: Mercenaries & Loaners Are Too Costly

What’s Machiavelli’s advice regarding military forces? Why does he warn against using hired and borrowed soldiers? In The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli distinguishes three types of armies: hired forces (mercenaries), borrowed forces, and personal forces. According to Machiavelli, mercenaries should be avoided, borrowed forces are risky, and personal armies are the way to go. Continue reading for Machiavelli’s reasons on why hired and borrowed forces aren’t worth it.

Why Do People Donate to Charity—Really?

Why do people donate to charity? Do they truly care about the cause—or just how they look to others? In The Elephant in the Brain, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that charity isn’t just about helping others—it’s also about showing off how compassionate and benevolent you are. This is part of their general argument that human behavior is driven by selfish motives. Continue reading to learn more about this theory.

How to Evaluate Business Ideas: Is Yours Good?

Do you have an idea for a business? How can you tell if it’s a viable one? Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba say you don’t need to come up with anything spectacular. A viable business idea should build on your unique strengths, or “unfair advantages,” and offer value to people’s lives. Keep reading to learn how to evaluate business ideas.

Nicomachean Ethics: Quotes From Aristotle’s Classic

What are some of the best quotes from Nicomachean Ethics? What captures Aristotle’s message? In Nicomachean Ethics, the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle attempts to determine the best possible way a person can live their life. He’s not trying to explain the best way to deal with any given situation. Instead, Aristotle aims to provide a general overview of what an ideal life is and how people can achieve it. We’ve collected some of our favorite Nicomachean Ethics quotes, along with some context and explanation. Take a look.

The Prince: Niccolò Machiavelli’s Instruction Manual

What does The Prince instruct national leaders to do? Is it an accurate depiction of Renaissance political life? In The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli instructs the reader on how princes may seize, maintain, and defend their power, encouraging them to embrace cruelty and deception as necessary tools in their arsenal. He does this through simple maxims and historical examples. Here’s our overview of the lessons that Machiavelli teaches in The Prince.

Social Signaling Through Spending: Why We Buy Stuff

Why would someone buy a Tesla? Why do some people post photos of their glitzy hotel rooms on Instagram? Just as body language allows us to communicate about things we’d never put into words, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that many of our actions double as social signals or conspicuous fitness displays. This is especially noticeable when it comes to how we spend our money and other resources. Read more to understand the concept of social signaling through spending.

Types of Startups: Which Is Right for You?

What’s the difference between lifestyle and hyper-growth startups? How do you know which type of startup business is right for you? Entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba, in their book The Unfair Advantage, describe two types of startups: lifestyle and hyper-growth. They offer recommendations for how to determine which type of startup you should pursue. The factors to consider, they say, are your purpose, your desired lifestyle, and your unfair advantages. Read more for Ali and Kubba’s insight into different types of startups.

The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle (Book Overview)

What’s “the good life”? How is moral virtue achieved? What’s the greatest virtue of all? These are some of the questions that ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle discusses in the Nicomachean Ethics book. He argues that the best and happiest life consists of the rational pursuit of virtue. He explains the different kinds of virtues, how to become virtuous, and the greatest virtue of all: wisdom. Keep reading to learn more about this classic work.