Shortform Books

Kamar al-Zaman’s Hero’s Journey (Arabian Nights)

Who was Kamar al-Zaman? How does this prince’s adventures in Arabian Nights tales follow the conventions of the hero’s journey? Kamar al-Zaman is a prince in the tales of The Arabian Nights. The stories of Kamar al-Zaman, Princess Budur, and the otherworldly Maymunah follow the hero’s journey popularized by Joseph Campbell in The Hero with a Thousand Faces. We’ll examine two popular Kamar al-Zaman tales and explore how they follow the stages of Campbell’s hero’s journey.

Mindfulness and Happiness: It’s Not All About Your Feelings

What is the relationship between mindfulness and happiness? Can being more mindful make us happier? Can it reduce suffering? Mindfulness and happiness are a well-researched pair, and many people believe that being more mindful can contribute to your happiness. According to this theory, mindfulness can help you keep from grasping at pleasure and avoiding pain, which are the roots of suffering. We’ll cover how mindfulness and happiness are related and explore some other theories of happiness.

The Magic Flight: The Hero’s Journey, Stage 13 (Explained)

What is stage 13 of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey? What is the significance of the “magic flight”? The magic flight is the stage of the hero’s journey in which the hero’s return home is marked by a chase as the gods seek to regain the elixir that has been stolen from them. The magic flight is stage 13 of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey, from The Hero with a Thousand Faces. We’ll cover what the magic flight entails and look at two examples of the magic-flight stage of the hero’s journey.

5 Causes of the Scientific Revolution, Explained

What were the causes of the Scientific Revolution? How did the new acceptance of ignorance become the root of our quest for knowledge? The Scientific Revolution was caused by a shift in the way people viewed the world and its future. These paradigm shifts included the willingness to accept our own ignorance, an emphasis on math and observation, the desire for imperial dominance, and the new belief in progress. We’ll cover how these causes of the Scientific Revolution changed the world, formed a web with the economy, politics, and religion, and sparked the movement toward modernity.

4 Culture Heroes, From Mesopotamia to America

What is a culture hero? What do culture heroes have to do with Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey? A culture hero is a founder who appears at the beginning of a culture’s legendary past. Culture heroes often help found that culture’s universe and change the course of history. We’ll cover the concept of the culture hero and look at examples of culture heroes in Native American, French, and Chinese traditions.

Why Are Human Babies So Helpless? (It’s Actually a Good Thing)

Why are human babies so helpless? Is there an advantage to their helplessness? Human babies are so helpless because they’re born prematurely, relative to other animals. Because they’re born before they’re fully developed, human babies are helpless, but this may provide a key to why humans are so successful as a species. We’ll cover why human babies are so helpless and why this could be an advantage in the animal kingdom.

“Opportunities Multiply as They Are Seized” Explained (Sun Tzu)

Is it true that opportunities multiply as they are seized? And who said this? The quote “opportunities multiply as they are seized” comes from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. We’ll cover how you can watch your opportunities multiply when facing down the enemy.

History of Agriculture: Was Farming an Accident?

What is the history of agriculture? How did it originate? Was the origin of farming an intentional decision on the part of our ancestors? The history of agriculture includes the domestication of wheat about 10,000 years ago. It was at this time that early Sapiens shifted from a nomadic life to a farming life. We’ll cover the origin of agriculture and its early history.

Warring States Period in China: 6 Tactics of Warfare (Sun Tzu)

What was the Warring States Period? What can it teach us about battle tactics? The Warring States Period, or Era of Warring States, was a period between around 480 B.C.E. to around 246 B.C.E. During this era, various Chinese dynasties were at war, including the Wei, Zhou, Han, and Qi. The Qi eventually won control of the area. We’ll cover how the warring states formed alliances during this period and what we can learn from their turmoil.

History of Religion: From Animism to Communism

The history of religion is vast. What are the main turning points in the history of religion? How has religion unified mankind? How has it divided us? The history of religion starts with animism and progresses through the rise of polytheism, monotheism, and natural law religions. Each type of religion influenced the ones that came later, and today we see the legacies of them. We’ll cover the history of religion from the animism of our forager ancestors to some of the most widespread religions today.