The World's Best Book Summaries
What is your true self? Is there something to intuition? How do you trust yourself? Martha Beck argues that, at your deepest level of self, you know what will make you happy and what kind of life you want to lead. You also know how you feel and what is true about your own life. This deepest level of self is your personal nature. Continue reading to learn more about Beck’s theory of identity.
What’s Stoic negative visualization? How can it actually make you happier? You can develop a Stoic practice by following six basic techniques derived from ancient philosophy. The first technique is negative visualization. Considering that Stoicism aims to offer a path toward joy, this practice is counterintuitive. But, it works. Continue reading to learn what Stoic negative visualization is and see how you can use this technique to appreciate more, handle disappointments better, and even grieve with less pain.
Why should we study astrophysics? What’s dark matter? Are we stardust? In Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the current state of astrophysics in layman’s terms. He argues for the real-world benefit of looking at ourselves as part of a larger universe. Keep reading for an overview of this fascinating book.
How can it be dangerous to make assumptions? Why should you be careful when making predictions? Why are stereotypes harmful? In Solve for Happy, Mo Gawdat discusses several weaknesses (or “blind spots,“ as he calls them) that can cause you to be unhappy. Some of these are faulty assumptions that can take the form of predictions or stereotypes. Read more to understand why you make faulty assumptions and learn how you can mitigate them.
Do you feel like you’re living out of sync with who you truly are? Who are you, deep down? What do you really want out of life? A book by Martha Beck, The Way of Integrity, is a guide to living in alignment with your true self. Beck argues that, deep down, you know who you want to be and what you want to do with your life. She contends that the greatest source of chronic misery is living out of alignment with these wants. Keep reading for an overview of this book and understand Beck’s solution to chronic unhappiness.
Do you worry more than you need to? Do you set yourself up for disappointment? In his book A Guide to the Good Life, philosophy professor William B. Irvine discusses a major tenet of Stoicism: Control what you can, and don’t worry about anything else. By doing this, you also control your happiness. Don’t give up that joy by stressing about what’s beyond your control. Learn how this Stoic practice works, and discover how you can put it to work for you.
How does your brain filter information? How does that mental filtering affect your outlook? Your brain struggles to handle all of the information it takes in. It has to sift out some data. The way it filters impacts your perceptions and ultimately your happiness. Continue reading to understand how mental filtering works and discover what you can do about it.
How much do you let other people affect your mood and behavior? How can you minimize their impact on you? If you could get advice from an ancient Stoic philosopher, you’d hear this: Don’t let people bring you down or rile you up. Philosophy professor William B. Irvine explains how to avoid negative people, be patient and forgiving toward others, handle insults with maturity, and never display anger. Keep reading for this practical advice from ancient philosophy.
Is fear good? Does it serve a positive purpose? If not, how can you get rid of fear? According to Mo Gawdat, fear is useless and just gets in the way of your happiness. In his book Solve for Happy, he recommends confronting your fear and dispelling it by asking seven questions that expose it as an unworthy intrusion in your life. Read more to learn Gawdat’s argument and his advice on how to confront your fear.
Should you seek fame, approval, wealth, and pleasure? What would such pursuits produce in your life? Too often, what people think will make them happy ends up robbing them of joy. They waste energy going down fruitless paths in life. In A Guide to the Good Life, philosophy professor William B. Irvine argues that the ancient Greek and Roman philosophy of Stoicism offers a better way. Read more to learn how to focus on what matters most, according to Stoic philosophy.