The World's Best Book Summaries
What is liberalism in philosophy? What is the basic tenet of liberalism? The school of the political philosophy of liberalism developed during the Enlightenment (a period of rapid scientific and ideological change in 17th- and 18th-century Europe). Yet, it still strongly influences many modern political institutions with its emphasis on reason. Keep reading to learn about the key tenets of liberalism and the different views within the school.
Do you let fear keep you from doing what’s right? What if you didn’t let fear stop you? It’s important not to let external pressures prevent you from doing what’s right for yourself and others. Whether it’s about speaking up against societal injustices or doing the best thing for your kids, you can learn to turn fear into action. Continue reading to learn how to muster the courage to do the right thing.
What is Immanuel Kant’s moral philosophy? How does reason relate to morality in Kant’s view? Kant’s view of morality emphasizes reason above all else. According to Kant, actions aren’t moral unless you decide on them through pure, rational deliberation. Here’s why morality stems from reason, according to Kant.
Why is virtue important? What difference does it make if you practice Christian virtues? What purposes do they fulfill in your life? Often, people view virtue as a killjoy, holding us back from fun and enjoyment. C. S. Lewis sees it differently. He asserts that, if we truly want to get the most out of life, we’ll practice Christian virtue. Continue reading to understand Lewis’s argument on the importance of virtue.
What is the meaning of the Aristotelian concept of “telos”? What is the basic idea behind the teleological argument? Aristotle had a “teleological” view of the world. He believed that everything had an end goal or purpose (a “telos” in ancient Greek). According to Michael Sandel, the author of Justice, Aristotle used this view to explain politics as a whole as well as the relationship between politics and individuals. Keep reading to learn about Aristotle’s telos doctrine and how it applies to justice and society.
Do you believe that you are responsible for your own actions, even if the outcomes aren’t what you intended? Do you feel justified in making excuses? Courage involves saying and doing the right thing. This includes taking responsibility for your words and actions, even when they lead to negative outcomes. Ryan Holiday writes about this aspect of Stoic courage in his book Courage Is Calling. Continue reading to understand how you must accept responsibility for what you say and do, no matter what.
How does the cycle of abuse work in an institution? Is “just following orders” a valid defense? In The Gulag Archipelago, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn doesn’t excuse the brutal actions of officers and guards. However, he argues that they were under incredible pressure from the state to participate in violence and believes that most acted out of fear of their leaders, the desire for safety, and the need to conform. Read more to learn about corruption in the Soviet gulag system.
What’s the opposite of fear? When you do the right thing, how much does your motive matter? In Courage Is Calling, Ryan Holiday asserts that love is the driving force behind heroic acts of courage. He also warns that courageous acts done for the wrong reasons aren’t virtuous at all. Read more to learn why you should be motivated by love—and why doing the right thing for the right reason is so important.
Is it possible to compete with Facebook, Google, Amazon, or Apple? How fair is the market’s environment? In his book, Scott Galloway harshly criticizes the Four’s efforts to eliminate their competition, creating a landscape of big tech monopolies. While large, powerful companies always have a competitive edge, he argues that the Four wield their size and power unfairly to purposefully eliminate competitors from the market. Read more to learn how the Four purchase competitors, force competitors out of business, and engage in other questionable tactics.
More than 50 years after the Civil Rights Movement and more than 14 years after electing its first Black president, why is the United States still divided along racial lines? What is the new theory of racism? That’s the central question of Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, which argues that contrary to common wisdom, racism doesn’t begin with prejudice and hatred. It begins with self-serving policies whose proponents justify their actions by inventing racist ideas. Below is a brief overview of the key takeaways from Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi.