The World's Best Book Summaries
How does pride relate to suffering? Why should you be kind to others? In The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman explain that the Stoic philosophers advocated humility and kindness. The Stoics saw these qualities as a key to living wisely, which they believed was required for life’s ultimate goal—living virtuously. Continue reading to understand why the Stoics valued humility and kindness.
Who has access to college in America? How might that access be expanded? In Excellent Sheep, author and former Yale professor William Deresiewicz makes the case that elite colleges and universities in the U.S. are selective to the point of detriment. He explains how the government, schools, and parents can collectively overhaul U.S. higher education to alleviate the problem. Continue reading to learn Deresiewicz’s proposed solution.
Do you wish things were different? Do you hang on tightly to possessions that could be gone tomorrow? The Stoic philosophers tried to manage their lives wisely. Wisdom entails applying good judgment to the way you live life so that you can stay focused on living virtuously (the ultimate goal). An attitude of taking life as it comes is part and parcel of living wisely. Read on to learn how to take life as it comes, the Stoic way.
Why should you choose a liberal arts education rather than a program that emphasizes career development? How is it advantageous both to you as an individual and to society as a whole? William Deresciewicz believes that a college education should benefit both students and society. He contends that the ideal education is a liberal arts program that cultivates students’ self-insight and gives them the skills to uphold democracy. Read more to learn about the benefits of a liberal arts education, according to Deresciewicz.
Do you do each task to the best of your ability? Are you committed to doing the right thing? The Stoic philosophers taught that people should pursue virtuous living. They saw this as both a daily imperative and a lifelong commitment. In The Daily Stoic, authors Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman explain that you should strive to do your best on each task and avoid getting sidetracked. Continue reading for the Stoics’ advice on how to practice virtue today and every day.
Do you look down on others? Do you have empathy for all kinds of people, or does bias sometimes get in the way? Radio personality James O’Brien has been known for his ability to argue his guests into submission and prove his own rightness. In his book How Not to Be Wrong, he explains how he realized his misguided beliefs about himself and others and ultimately changed course. Continue reading to learn how to overcome bias as O’Brien has.
Why do so many students feel pressured to be perfect? Are they competing for what matters most? Admissions criteria at elite U.S. schools are so selective that they harm students. In Excellent Sheep, William Deresiewicz argues that highly-selective college admissions criteria put certain pressures on prospective students and enrolled students. The harm even extends past graduation. Keep reading to learn about these pressures on students.
What book confronts the darkness and light that humanity is capable of? What book is sure to come up in a conversation one day? What book sings to its readers? Majo could tell you. Based in Paraguay, she’s a book guide writer and a copywriter at Shortform. We interviewed her recently to learn a bit about her lifetime of reading.
Are you committed to lifelong improvement? Do you consider that others depend on you to do your part in this world? The Stoics were all about living a virtuous life, and they saw it as a marathon, not a sprint. Because of this, they emphasized the importance of perseverance. You must make a commitment to living virtuously and then stick with it. Continue reading to understand the Stoic view of perseverance.
Why do some people engage in weight-shaming? How can they turn that around and show kindness instead? Radio presenter James O’Brien used to bully overweight people. He came to understand that he was using some of the same tactics that others use to dehumanize various kinds of people, and he eventually learned to change his mind—and his ways. Keep reading to learn how O’Brien turned things around—and how you can, as well.