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Think Differently: Open your mind. Philosophy for modern life: 20 thought-provoking lessons
Adam Ferner explains the ideas of the great philosophers and modern thinkers – taking you from concept to real-life understanding in 20 approachable and thought-provoking lessons.
Using a clear and effective methodology and stunning graphics to visually guide you, Think Differently discusses the important, sometimes challenging, but always relevant topics of today – taking theories off the page through relatable examples.
Dip in and out of lessons as you explore how philosophy is at the heart of your everyday. From people skills to lifestyle choices, self-help to politics – and how you spend your free time. As Adam Ferner explains, 'like the sugar from a donut, philosophy covers absolutely everything'.
Using a clear and effective methodology and stunning graphics to visually guide you, Think Differently discusses the important, sometimes challenging, but always relevant topics of today – taking theories off the page through relatable examples.
Dip in and out of lessons as you explore how philosophy is at the heart of your everyday. From people skills to lifestyle choices, self-help to politics – and how you spend your free time. As Adam Ferner explains, 'like the sugar from a donut, philosophy covers absolutely everything'.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published May 3, 2018
About the author
Adam Ferner
16 books6 followersDr Adam Ferner has worked in academic philosophy both in France and the UK, but much prefers working outside the academy in youth centres and other alternative learning spaces.
He has published widely in philosophical and popular journals and has written four books, Organisms and Personal Identity (Routledge, 2016), Think Differently (Aurum, 2018) and – with Nadia Mehdi and Zara Bain – Crash Course: Philosophy (Ivy, 2019). His fourth book, How to Disagree (Aurum, 2019) is co-authored with Darren Chetty. He is currently co-writing his fifth book, Philosophical Empires, with Chris Meyns, forthcoming in 2020.
He is an associate editor of the Forum’s Essays. He is interested in co-authoring and writing collaborations where credit for intellectual labour is apportioned fairly and appropriately remunerated. With this in mind that he set up the Changelings writing group at a youth hub in Finsbury Park.
He has published widely in philosophical and popular journals and has written four books, Organisms and Personal Identity (Routledge, 2016), Think Differently (Aurum, 2018) and – with Nadia Mehdi and Zara Bain – Crash Course: Philosophy (Ivy, 2019). His fourth book, How to Disagree (Aurum, 2019) is co-authored with Darren Chetty. He is currently co-writing his fifth book, Philosophical Empires, with Chris Meyns, forthcoming in 2020.
He is an associate editor of the Forum’s Essays. He is interested in co-authoring and writing collaborations where credit for intellectual labour is apportioned fairly and appropriately remunerated. With this in mind that he set up the Changelings writing group at a youth hub in Finsbury Park.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 27, 2020
3.5 Stars. An interesting book full of questions, answers, lessons and practical tasks revolving around Philosophy. Think Differently by Adam Ferner is part of the Build + Become series. Thanks to Book Depository for my hardcover copy.
June 7, 2018
I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a short and fun book! I cannot even contain my joy for reading this lovely book on philosophy. I really liked the concept of it (no surprise, I really like books like this one, concise and inspiring).
To start with a quote from the book "philosophy isn't really about getting answers, it's about getting puzzled and thinking deeper, and differently" or how I like to say it - philosophy is the art of never agreeing on anything.
In each chapter the book presents a few lessons on society, guilt, fiction and so on. But it is not trying to tell you the answers or what to believe, rather it raises questions and ideas, presents some philosophers and some of their ideas but without being dull or talking too much about those philosophers (if you are really interested, you can just go ahead and read more of their writings).
I loved how every chapter ended with a conclusion of each lesson, but also a question that wasn't discussed, and a list of things to read or watch or listen to in case you are interested in the subject. Oh, and it recommends the movie Get Out - I am giving 5 stars only for this! (kidding)
This was such a short and fun book! I cannot even contain my joy for reading this lovely book on philosophy. I really liked the concept of it (no surprise, I really like books like this one, concise and inspiring).
To start with a quote from the book "philosophy isn't really about getting answers, it's about getting puzzled and thinking deeper, and differently" or how I like to say it - philosophy is the art of never agreeing on anything.
In each chapter the book presents a few lessons on society, guilt, fiction and so on. But it is not trying to tell you the answers or what to believe, rather it raises questions and ideas, presents some philosophers and some of their ideas but without being dull or talking too much about those philosophers (if you are really interested, you can just go ahead and read more of their writings).
I loved how every chapter ended with a conclusion of each lesson, but also a question that wasn't discussed, and a list of things to read or watch or listen to in case you are interested in the subject. Oh, and it recommends the movie Get Out - I am giving 5 stars only for this! (kidding)
August 11, 2021
3.5 STARS
July 18, 2022
Short, light reading on a typically long, dense topic
I loved this breezy little book. The chapters were short and to the point, and the format is perfect for learning. As a public speaker, I've always been told that if you want to teach something the best way is a three step process-
1. Tell them what you're going to tell them
2. Tell them
3. Tell them what you told them
In other words, give them a brief outline, then give them the content, then summarize the main points you want them to remember.
That's the way I learn best, and that's the model for this great little book. I loved it.
I loved this breezy little book. The chapters were short and to the point, and the format is perfect for learning. As a public speaker, I've always been told that if you want to teach something the best way is a three step process-
1. Tell them what you're going to tell them
2. Tell them
3. Tell them what you told them
In other words, give them a brief outline, then give them the content, then summarize the main points you want them to remember.
That's the way I learn best, and that's the model for this great little book. I loved it.
June 22, 2019
I tried this series again, but again not feeling the set up and the imagery/graphics to put point across. There are some nice and good points, but not enough for me to pick it up again. For others it may be a great set up.
March 23, 2021
I have no prior background in Philosophy. This being the first book, I would consider as an excellent short primer on what thinking and consideration points one could take into basic questions of a philosophical approach to what and way of life.
January 26, 2022
Moj mózg jest rozwalony po takiej ilości ciężkiego tekstu - tyle tez, hipotez, argumentów, kontrargumentów….
bardzo ciekawa książki, która poszerza horyzonty i otwiera oczy na pewne kwestie.
Daje nawet 4.5
Ciężko sie czasem czytało, ale według mnie i grafika i wykonanie książki na +
bardzo ciekawa książki, która poszerza horyzonty i otwiera oczy na pewne kwestie.
Daje nawet 4.5
Ciężko sie czasem czytało, ale według mnie i grafika i wykonanie książki na +
January 29, 2019
I picked up this book at an airport, wanting something other than a holiday read for that long flight.
"Philosophy is about our lives and how we live them".
The book is arranged in 5 parts: People Skills, Lifestyle, Self Help, Society and Recreation.
Each part is divided into Concept, How to Apply to Everyday Life, Toolkit, Further Learning and Build + Become ("building knowledge that helps you navigate your world").
It's very much a hands on, how-to book. Needless to say I didn't finish it on that flight. I did however read it during the holiday, albeit in an almost cursory way. Every page makes you stop and ruminate, if you want to, on aspects and examples in your own life.
I need to go through this unique little book again, but more thoroughly, and read further because I do believe "philosophy is one of our best tools for responding to the challenges of the modern world" and to learn to think more deeply and differently.
"Philosophy is about our lives and how we live them".
The book is arranged in 5 parts: People Skills, Lifestyle, Self Help, Society and Recreation.
Each part is divided into Concept, How to Apply to Everyday Life, Toolkit, Further Learning and Build + Become ("building knowledge that helps you navigate your world").
It's very much a hands on, how-to book. Needless to say I didn't finish it on that flight. I did however read it during the holiday, albeit in an almost cursory way. Every page makes you stop and ruminate, if you want to, on aspects and examples in your own life.
I need to go through this unique little book again, but more thoroughly, and read further because I do believe "philosophy is one of our best tools for responding to the challenges of the modern world" and to learn to think more deeply and differently.
March 21, 2022
3.5 étoiles ⭐️
J’ai bcp aimé !
Je le lisait pas comme un roman ou quoi mais comme un magasine, genre de temps en temps quand j’avais envie de lire un truc + cool ou que je ne me sentais pas bien.
J’ai pas tout compris malheureusement….
Mais j’ai bcp aimé pour un premier livre « philosophique » !!
Ça me donne envie d’en lire d’autre !
J’ai bcp aimé !
Je le lisait pas comme un roman ou quoi mais comme un magasine, genre de temps en temps quand j’avais envie de lire un truc + cool ou que je ne me sentais pas bien.
J’ai pas tout compris malheureusement….
Mais j’ai bcp aimé pour un premier livre « philosophique » !!
Ça me donne envie d’en lire d’autre !
December 18, 2018
You start reading this book with a lot of questions, you finish the book with even more.
But as the book says philosophy is not about the answers, but the questions.
There are some very cool concepts as well as the possibility of us living in a simulation.
But as the book says philosophy is not about the answers, but the questions.
There are some very cool concepts as well as the possibility of us living in a simulation.
August 19, 2019
It’s a quick little read that’s designed to make you think a little more about daily life in a potentially new way. I particularly like the follow on for each chapter which provides extra reading, videos websites or listening material.
March 11, 2019
يحاول الكتاب عرض بعض الأفكار لكن معظمها بسيط وسطحي والقليل منها عميق ومستفيض..
كما أن ادعاء الكتاب المبالغ فيه هو ما يجعله كتاباً مزعجاً فالصور البصرية لا معنى لها ولا إضافة..
كما أن ادعاء الكتاب المبالغ فيه هو ما يجعله كتاباً مزعجاً فالصور البصرية لا معنى لها ولا إضافة..
May 24, 2020
Such an interesting book. Loved the thoughts on thinking more than answering questions. The chapters share lessons on life, society, people skills etc. A short read filled with great ideas.
June 14, 2020
3.75 / 5
May 27, 2021
Има любопитни факти, но доста общи приказки и малко полезни идеи. Оформлението на книгата е приятно.
December 12, 2025
entretenido y me hizo reflexionar
April 6, 2019
According to the title, this should be philosophy for modern life, but I don't find this accurate at all. Instead, almost every point is taken from historic literature and moving along the same tracks. This includes old ethical standards taken out of religion etc.
What should be philosophy for modern life is CRITICAL THINKING. For example vegetarianism and veganism, that are based on the so called fact that all animals kept by humans are suffering. Is this correct? and what is natural? should be questions asked.
Facts: Humans are made to digest meat. Fact: Without eating meat, there would be no human race. Fact: Wild animals are in constant search for food, constant awareness of dangers, and when they die naturally it's either slow death from sickness or being ripped apart by predators. And our cows are suffering? Please!
My point is that this book is old news; modern philosophy has to start from scratch, using all the science, knowledge and critical thinking we can.
What should be philosophy for modern life is CRITICAL THINKING. For example vegetarianism and veganism, that are based on the so called fact that all animals kept by humans are suffering. Is this correct? and what is natural? should be questions asked.
Facts: Humans are made to digest meat. Fact: Without eating meat, there would be no human race. Fact: Wild animals are in constant search for food, constant awareness of dangers, and when they die naturally it's either slow death from sickness or being ripped apart by predators. And our cows are suffering? Please!
My point is that this book is old news; modern philosophy has to start from scratch, using all the science, knowledge and critical thinking we can.
April 6, 2019
I am reviewing this book for Adam Ferner, Quarto Publishing and NetGalley who gave me a copy of their book for an honest review ... and I was not impressed and gave up after a time and just flciked through the rest of it. It states it is for modern life yet focusses on the past and reveals nothing new that hasn't been written in other books. I expected to find 'new' topics to explore.
April 27, 2019
I wonder how few great books keep hidden on bookshelves of libraries and amazon.
It is one such book with simple sober cover but when you open it, it is like sparkle radiating crystallised philosophical nuggets.
.
It is written in friendly, compact and enjoyable prose and designs and art soothe your eyes. There is no overstretching of concepts and you get a lot of new stuff.
.
It covers wide range of topics like human behaviour, vegan diets,loyalty, death, responsibility,global warming,books, movies, creativity, virtual reality, taste and lot of similar topics with worth reading advice and reasoning.
Sections on mortality and horror movies are particularly interesting.
.
Best part is small crisp chapters.
There is no useless data or graphs. There are no forcefully manufactured stories to prove a point.
There is discussion about all prominent philosophers who ever existed.
.
Every idea is examined insise out with little bias.
Reader is encouraged to think about particular idea from his perspective.
I am looking forward to reading other books of this series.
It is a book which is much better than many bestselling," blogger written" self help books.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy in exchange of a honest review.
It is one such book with simple sober cover but when you open it, it is like sparkle radiating crystallised philosophical nuggets.
.
It is written in friendly, compact and enjoyable prose and designs and art soothe your eyes. There is no overstretching of concepts and you get a lot of new stuff.
.
It covers wide range of topics like human behaviour, vegan diets,loyalty, death, responsibility,global warming,books, movies, creativity, virtual reality, taste and lot of similar topics with worth reading advice and reasoning.
Sections on mortality and horror movies are particularly interesting.
.
Best part is small crisp chapters.
There is no useless data or graphs. There are no forcefully manufactured stories to prove a point.
There is discussion about all prominent philosophers who ever existed.
.
Every idea is examined insise out with little bias.
Reader is encouraged to think about particular idea from his perspective.
I am looking forward to reading other books of this series.
It is a book which is much better than many bestselling," blogger written" self help books.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy in exchange of a honest review.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews