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Introducing Philosophy for Everyday Life: A Practical Guide
This book will show how philosophy can help to improve your thinking about everyday life. And by improving the quality of your thinking, you can improve the quality of your life. It will make you more aware of what you think and why—and how you can change what you think.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
149 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 5, 2017
Хорошая книга, чтобы поискать свои ответы на основные вопросы философии.
March 21, 2017
Are you interested in philosophy?
Do you want to know the basic ideas behind Philosophy?
If yes, then this book is for you.
The book, just like the title suggests gives a nice introduction to philosophy. Discusses some basic philosophical questions with the reader.
At the start, the author explains the way this book is meant to be read, please follow it! One thing I liked about the book is that it not only gives credit to Philosopher for the idea but also briefly talks about their life.
Remember, this book isn’t meant to be read in a sitting! You are supposed to think while reading, read less think more
Do you want to know the basic ideas behind Philosophy?
If yes, then this book is for you.
The book, just like the title suggests gives a nice introduction to philosophy. Discusses some basic philosophical questions with the reader.
At the start, the author explains the way this book is meant to be read, please follow it! One thing I liked about the book is that it not only gives credit to Philosopher for the idea but also briefly talks about their life.
Remember, this book isn’t meant to be read in a sitting! You are supposed to think while reading, read less think more
December 6, 2022
Nice tips and good movie recommendations, too.
December 26, 2018
Ένα μικρό βιβλίο που πραγματεύεται φιλοσοφικά ερωτήματα με εκλαϊγευμένο τρόπο. Ευχάριστο ανάγνωσμα που η δομή του (μικρές ενότητες, σχετικά ανεξάρτητα θέματα) επιτρέπει το διάβασμά του σε στιγμές διαλλείμματος από άλλες δραστηριότητες. Μην περιμένετε να λυθούν εδώ τα υπαρξιακά σας ερωτήματα, αλλά ιδίως αν δεν έχετε και μεγάλη σχέση με τη φιλοσοφία και τους φιλοσόφους, θα σας φανεί αρκετά ενδιαφέρον και χρήσιμο.
August 28, 2015
Relating philosophy for every aspect of our daily lives and stimulating reflective thinking about those aspects.
October 3, 2018
Enjoyed this book a lot. In these times of tribalism and lazy thinking, the reminder to think critically was much appreciated.
December 4, 2025
This book immediately captivated me by fulfilling its promise to bridge the gap between ancient thought and contemporary existence. It is an excellent, actionable guide that successfully translates deep philosophical concepts into practical, everyday tools, though its breadth necessitates some simplification of complex ideas.
The most valuable quality I discovered is the book's methodical approach to framing common dilemmas from career choices to dealing with anxiety as fundamentally philosophical problems, providing me with tools from thinkers like Plato, Kant, and Sartre to analyze myself and my motivations. This practical application transforms intimidating academic concepts into immediate problem-solving techniques, making philosophy feel less like an historical study and more like a necessary life skill.
However, the book presented a point of friction because of its wide-ranging scope; in attempting to cover such a vast array of philosophical schools and their practical uses, I felt that some profoundly complex ideas were necessarily truncated or oversimplified, potentially leaving myself vulnerable to misinterpreting certain nuances if I relied solely on this text.
The most striking realization I had was how effortlessly the book revealed the inherent, unexamined philosophy already driving my daily routine, demonstrating that every deliberate choice I make, even simple ones, is a continuous act of ethical and metaphysical commitment, which fundamentally altered how I view my own agency.
The most valuable quality I discovered is the book's methodical approach to framing common dilemmas from career choices to dealing with anxiety as fundamentally philosophical problems, providing me with tools from thinkers like Plato, Kant, and Sartre to analyze myself and my motivations. This practical application transforms intimidating academic concepts into immediate problem-solving techniques, making philosophy feel less like an historical study and more like a necessary life skill.
However, the book presented a point of friction because of its wide-ranging scope; in attempting to cover such a vast array of philosophical schools and their practical uses, I felt that some profoundly complex ideas were necessarily truncated or oversimplified, potentially leaving myself vulnerable to misinterpreting certain nuances if I relied solely on this text.
The most striking realization I had was how effortlessly the book revealed the inherent, unexamined philosophy already driving my daily routine, demonstrating that every deliberate choice I make, even simple ones, is a continuous act of ethical and metaphysical commitment, which fundamentally altered how I view my own agency.
December 7, 2022
Makes broad generalizations
He makes broad generalizations and states them as fact. Says that we all are reasonably successful at navigating the changing world when, in fact, homelessness is steadily rising, mental health conditions have gone up 33% in 3 years, depression is becoming the leading cause of disability, wages are stagnant while cost of living go up, navigating the medical system is a complete baffling joke.
Our changing world is actually causing mental health issues because it is changing so fast we cannot prepare for it.
In addition, he also implies that the diagnosis of DID (disassociative personality disorder) was invented because it's easier to believe. Completely ignoring the lived experiences of people with DID who will tell you that they have alters. And also ignoring brain scans that show the completely different brain activity that each alter has when they front.
Would not recommend.
He makes broad generalizations and states them as fact. Says that we all are reasonably successful at navigating the changing world when, in fact, homelessness is steadily rising, mental health conditions have gone up 33% in 3 years, depression is becoming the leading cause of disability, wages are stagnant while cost of living go up, navigating the medical system is a complete baffling joke.
Our changing world is actually causing mental health issues because it is changing so fast we cannot prepare for it.
In addition, he also implies that the diagnosis of DID (disassociative personality disorder) was invented because it's easier to believe. Completely ignoring the lived experiences of people with DID who will tell you that they have alters. And also ignoring brain scans that show the completely different brain activity that each alter has when they front.
Would not recommend.
August 23, 2019
Needed
As a young man in college, there are so many things I am exposed to that make me have to consider what I believe. This book really helped me think about why i believed what I believed and how could I live better. If you have the time, read at least one chapter of the book. After chapter 5 you get the point: rethink everything you blindly assume and see if there is something better.
Hands down, an awesome read.
As a young man in college, there are so many things I am exposed to that make me have to consider what I believe. This book really helped me think about why i believed what I believed and how could I live better. If you have the time, read at least one chapter of the book. After chapter 5 you get the point: rethink everything you blindly assume and see if there is something better.
Hands down, an awesome read.
January 31, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It is basically a book on how to think. Several of the chapters I found very useful for current events. Chapters like "It's Just Not Fair" and I've Got Rights" are two chapters that are very applicable to people today. The author gives plenty of opportunities to "Stop and Think" on many subjects, which he states as his basic goal.
November 27, 2018
Απλο, κατανοητο. Μια υπεροχη εισαγωγη στην φιλοσοφια, που περιλαμβανει ενα ευρυ φασμα των διαφόρων "σχολων" της.
Εχει πολλα "διδαγματα" σε μορφη "κονσερβας".
Το βρισκω ως ενα πολυ ωραιο βιβλιο για δωρο.
Εχει πολλα "διδαγματα" σε μορφη "κονσερβας".
Το βρισκω ως ενα πολυ ωραιο βιβλιο για δωρο.
April 30, 2019
Nice introduction
A really clear introduction to some of the deep questions that plague philosopher. Works well read in short bursts (I read it while commuting) and then thinking over each chapter for a while.
A really clear introduction to some of the deep questions that plague philosopher. Works well read in short bursts (I read it while commuting) and then thinking over each chapter for a while.
October 24, 2020
Very light, relatively bird’s-eye view of some basic philosophical thoughts and tenets. Great introduction to philosophy - highly recommended for the beginner or those curious about general philosophy!
January 18, 2021
I found this book interesting as there are a number of conventions in life that I think could and should be considered in alternative ways. My opinion is this book lends itself to being applicable in many ways
July 13, 2019
This book introduced me to some of the basic concepts of philosophy and made it relevant to everyday life.
April 23, 2021
Basic but interesting.
August 11, 2021
rehash, boring.
December 5, 2020
By the time you get to the end of the book, you would have covered a lot of ground and got exposed to lots of general ideas. Although this book is not a course in philosophy, you should by the end of it have some understanding of what philosophy is about and how it relates to everyday life.
It's also nice that it gives you exercises and things to think about along the way.
Here is one of my favorite parts in this book, chapter 9 (you can't do that):
"Coming to see things differently is part of life. Growing up, being educated and gaining experience are all likely to shape our outlook on the world. Sometimes changes are gradual, sometimes, as with adolescence and mid-life crises, they take place more dramatically and suddenly when you look back, we look back from where we are, not from where we were.
Epictetus is right to caution us not to attempt the impossible. But figuring out what is and is not possible in everyday life is not as easy as it seems. If we attempt the impossible, we are wasting our time. But if we fail to attempt the possible, we are missing an opportunity in life."
It's also nice that it gives you exercises and things to think about along the way.
Here is one of my favorite parts in this book, chapter 9 (you can't do that):
"Coming to see things differently is part of life. Growing up, being educated and gaining experience are all likely to shape our outlook on the world. Sometimes changes are gradual, sometimes, as with adolescence and mid-life crises, they take place more dramatically and suddenly when you look back, we look back from where we are, not from where we were.
Epictetus is right to caution us not to attempt the impossible. But figuring out what is and is not possible in everyday life is not as easy as it seems. If we attempt the impossible, we are wasting our time. But if we fail to attempt the possible, we are missing an opportunity in life."
October 18, 2015
"What if our mental autopilot is steering us in the wrong direction? Then there is a good chance that we will not be successful in living the kind of life that we would like to. The examined life helps us to discover how our autopilot is programmed and, if necessary, reprogram it to help us get to where we really want to go. This is not a once-in-a-lifetime exercise. We have to be constantly on our guard against becoming less aware, forgetting why we believe what we do. e need to be constantly reflecting on our beliefs and, if necessary, updating them...Stop and Think".
March 27, 2016
Excellent overview of many philosophical ideas, my only complaint is the lack of depth - but I suppose the mark of a good book is that it wants you wanting more. If nothing else, it's helped me find more books on philosophical topics of interest.
Particularly enjoyable are the many "exercizes" sprinkled throughout the book. Oftentimes they offer a chance to think about a key idea, which I found very stimulating.
Particularly enjoyable are the many "exercizes" sprinkled throughout the book. Oftentimes they offer a chance to think about a key idea, which I found very stimulating.
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January 2, 2013Motivating as the contents showed that you are on the right track of thinking
February 9, 2014
Useful summation of the big ideas relating to truth, meaning, basic epistemology. Very accessible.
May 31, 2015
A practical guide for everyday life. Simple and explanatory
September 19, 2014
Such a great little guide for everyday. Philosophy is so interesting. Gosh. Love this book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews