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Philosophy in 40 ideas: From Aristotle to Zhong: Lessons for Life
This book artfully draws together forty of the greatest and most useful ideas found in philosophy, taking us on a journey around key concepts from both Eastern and Western cultures. We are invited to sample the distinctive wisdom of Eastern philosophy via tea drinking ceremonies, walks in bamboo forests, contemplations of rivers and ritualised flower arranging sessions. From Western culture we seek the teachings of some of the greatest minds throughout history including Machiavellianism and Stoicism. This essential guide to philosophy reminds us of the wit, humanity and relevance of a number of great philosophers including Nietzsche, Heidegger, Confucius, Lao Tzu and Buddha.
Essential thoughts about love, work, anxiety, self-knowledge and happiness are examined, highlighted and inspiringly presented here so they can work their consoling effect where it is most needed.
Essential thoughts about love, work, anxiety, self-knowledge and happiness are examined, highlighted and inspiringly presented here so they can work their consoling effect where it is most needed.
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
88 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2020
41 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
The School of Life
173 books3,131 followersThe School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives.
We believe that the journey to finding fulfilment begins with self-knowledge. It is only when we have a sense of who we really are that we can make reliable decisions, particularly around love and work.
Sadly, tools and techniques for developing self-knowledge and finding fulfilment are hard to find – they’re not taught in schools, in universities, or in workplaces. Too many of us go through life without ever really understanding what’s going on in the recesses of our minds.
That’s why we created The School of Life; a resource for helping us understand ourselves, for improving our relationships, our careers and our social lives - as well as for helping us find calm and get more out of our leisure hours. We do this through films, workshops, books and gifts - as well as through a warm and supportive community.
We believe that the journey to finding fulfilment begins with self-knowledge. It is only when we have a sense of who we really are that we can make reliable decisions, particularly around love and work.
Sadly, tools and techniques for developing self-knowledge and finding fulfilment are hard to find – they’re not taught in schools, in universities, or in workplaces. Too many of us go through life without ever really understanding what’s going on in the recesses of our minds.
That’s why we created The School of Life; a resource for helping us understand ourselves, for improving our relationships, our careers and our social lives - as well as for helping us find calm and get more out of our leisure hours. We do this through films, workshops, books and gifts - as well as through a warm and supportive community.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 4, 2023
Gorgeous book to have displayed on a shelf, propped up in front of other philosophy books. What I appreciate is that de Botton (who I assume has full creative control over this work) is not afraid of coming in with a certain interpretation for the ideas, as opposed to leaving it in that bland, meh state that so many primers or secondary works suffer from. This would be a fantastic gift for someone who is curious about philosophy and why they should study it. The ideas are split down the middle, 20 Western and 20 Eastern, so the scope is surprisingly wider than would be expected.
Want to read
March 30, 2021Merely a philosophy primer but how engaging and informative is it for my philosophy-virgin friend? We shall see...
November 8, 2020
Anyone who is a fan of The School of Life's youtube channel or blogs will appreciate this short overview of ideas from philosophy that we can use to improve certain aspects of our lives. I found several new-to-me ideas in the book, including one that has given me new insight into a problem I'm working through. Recommended for those seeking to understand themselves better.
August 25, 2025
It’s an ok read. Nothing mesmerizing
Read
November 27, 2025Interessant om te kijken welke filosofische invalshoek je verder wil exploreren.
November 15, 2020
Notes & Bookmarks
On Democracy
Democracy is problematic because every person's view can not be as equally astute. The solution is good education for everyone. We cannot allow everyone to vote until everyone has learnt to think.
On History & Progress
Both the thesis and the antithesis contain parts of the truth, but are exaggerations and distortions of it, so they need to clash and interact until their best elements find resolution in a synthesis. ...the world makes progress only by lurching from one extreme to another and generally requires three moves before the right balance on any issue can be found.
On Stoicism
‘What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears’ - Seneca
On Living
Become as bamboo is - ‘Hold fast to the mountain, take root in a broken-up bluff, grow stronger after tribulations, and withstand the buffeting wind from all directions.’
Become like water - it flows apparently effortlessly around obstacles and elegantly conforms to the existing contours of all things. Nevertheless, it is powerful enough – over time, and that is the key point – to wear away stone.
On Democracy
Democracy is problematic because every person's view can not be as equally astute. The solution is good education for everyone. We cannot allow everyone to vote until everyone has learnt to think.
On History & Progress
Both the thesis and the antithesis contain parts of the truth, but are exaggerations and distortions of it, so they need to clash and interact until their best elements find resolution in a synthesis. ...the world makes progress only by lurching from one extreme to another and generally requires three moves before the right balance on any issue can be found.
On Stoicism
‘What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears’ - Seneca
On Living
Become as bamboo is - ‘Hold fast to the mountain, take root in a broken-up bluff, grow stronger after tribulations, and withstand the buffeting wind from all directions.’
Become like water - it flows apparently effortlessly around obstacles and elegantly conforms to the existing contours of all things. Nevertheless, it is powerful enough – over time, and that is the key point – to wear away stone.
August 12, 2021
این کتاب در نوع خودش عالی بود. کتابی خلاصه که درباره ی 40 ایده ی فلسفی مختلف صحبت میکرد. بیشترین جذابیت و کاربرد این کتاب برای من به این صورت بود که اگر از ایده ی فلسفی ی خوشم اومد، ترغیب میشدم که برم و بیشتر راجبش مطالعه کنم.
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May 21, 2021<>
“This assertion, by the 17th-century French philosopher Blaise Pascal, is obviously not literally true.
However, like all good philosophical aphorisms, it pointedly exaggerates an important idea in order to bring home a general insight.
We are tempted to leave ‘our room’ and crave excitements that too often turn out badly;
We meddle in the lives of others but fail to help them;
We seek fame and end up being misunderstood by large numbers of people we don’t know.
‘Sitting alone’ doesn’t mean literally perching on our bed but, rather, staying undistracted with ourselves–
– appreciating small pleasures;
– examining the contents of our own minds;
– allowing the quieter parts of our psyches to emerge;
– thinking before we act.
It is a poignant phrase because the louder voices in our culture constantly speak in the opposite direction. They goad us to get out more, to grow more agitated, to seek more drama and to spend less time in thoughtful reveries, gazing out of the window at the clouds passing high above.
With Pascal’s encouragement, we should learn to become better friends to ourselves.”
http://www.exlibrismeis.com/en/2021/0...
“This assertion, by the 17th-century French philosopher Blaise Pascal, is obviously not literally true.
However, like all good philosophical aphorisms, it pointedly exaggerates an important idea in order to bring home a general insight.
We are tempted to leave ‘our room’ and crave excitements that too often turn out badly;
We meddle in the lives of others but fail to help them;
We seek fame and end up being misunderstood by large numbers of people we don’t know.
‘Sitting alone’ doesn’t mean literally perching on our bed but, rather, staying undistracted with ourselves–
– appreciating small pleasures;
– examining the contents of our own minds;
– allowing the quieter parts of our psyches to emerge;
– thinking before we act.
It is a poignant phrase because the louder voices in our culture constantly speak in the opposite direction. They goad us to get out more, to grow more agitated, to seek more drama and to spend less time in thoughtful reveries, gazing out of the window at the clouds passing high above.
With Pascal’s encouragement, we should learn to become better friends to ourselves.”
http://www.exlibrismeis.com/en/2021/0...
April 30, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley and The School of Life for an advanced copy of this book.
Philosophy in 40 Ideas: Lessons for life by The School of Life is a short, short primer on philosophy and Eastern religion. Each idea is about a page, with an accompaning photo, very informational, but that is all. A nice introduction for someone new to philosophy or maybe for a person who likes to learn one new thing everyday. Possibly a gift for a student at graduation. Informative, but not super educational, breezy for learning something new, but without the worry of being tested or writing a in-depth essay on.
Philosophy in 40 Ideas: Lessons for life by The School of Life is a short, short primer on philosophy and Eastern religion. Each idea is about a page, with an accompaning photo, very informational, but that is all. A nice introduction for someone new to philosophy or maybe for a person who likes to learn one new thing everyday. Possibly a gift for a student at graduation. Informative, but not super educational, breezy for learning something new, but without the worry of being tested or writing a in-depth essay on.
April 25, 2022
Philosophy in 40 ideas.
Lessons for life.
Have you ever wanted to comprehend the main ideas of each philosopher and distinguish the nuances between the ancient, the modern, the west and the east?
Have you ever wanted to understand all that but you simply didn't have the time?
This book will give you that general and yet deep overview.
One cozy afternoon will be wonderfully enough.
The book also has wonderful images (photos or paintings) so you can marvel your eyes while feeding your soul.
A hardcover book to accompany you on your journeys in the world outside as well as inside.
Lessons for life.
Have you ever wanted to comprehend the main ideas of each philosopher and distinguish the nuances between the ancient, the modern, the west and the east?
Have you ever wanted to understand all that but you simply didn't have the time?
This book will give you that general and yet deep overview.
One cozy afternoon will be wonderfully enough.
The book also has wonderful images (photos or paintings) so you can marvel your eyes while feeding your soul.
A hardcover book to accompany you on your journeys in the world outside as well as inside.
November 3, 2020
As always, books from the School of Life help us to think. This little gem is just such an endeavor. It is a nice collection of a variety of philosophical thoughts from some of the most influential thinkers with their main ideas explained in bite-sized nuggets. While the concepts are short, this serves more to whet our appetite, than to try to explain the ideas in detail.
June 17, 2021
This book gives a really good summary of several key ideas relating to philosophy, and some of the history behind these ideas. The writing is clear and easy to read and understand. What I love the most about this book are the accompanying photos - they are fantastic. This is a good starting point if you have an interest in learning more about philosophy.
September 27, 2024
Distilled wisdom from a range of philosophers of the West and East (which means Chinese, Japanese, Buddhist or Hindu).
As a former Philosophy student, I found this useful, and there were no "bad takes" I can think of. Particularly inspiring were the pithy takes on the tea ceremony and existentialists.
As a former Philosophy student, I found this useful, and there were no "bad takes" I can think of. Particularly inspiring were the pithy takes on the tea ceremony and existentialists.
April 8, 2021
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was really disappointing because it merely repeats the work of others and offers no original thoughts. This book could be helpful to only individuals who have no prior knowledge on the topic. Disappointing.
June 18, 2023
This is a great book to put on your work table/coffee table/night stand and read through every day. It contains plenty of ideas from Western and Eastern philosophy. It only takes 20 minutes to read through every thing but contemplating each idea will take a lifetime. I love this book!
December 31, 2024
I know this is a coffee table book but it was actually an excellent motivator to start reading philosophy books again - to nudge back into the concepts and language
And !! I’ve now completed my good reads goal (one of the plays I’ve read hasn’t been published yet but I’m still counting it)
And !! I’ve now completed my good reads goal (one of the plays I’ve read hasn’t been published yet but I’m still counting it)
December 24, 2020
Brilliant and inspiring, it is so well written and very easy to understand. ;)
arcs
March 29, 2021Thanks to NetGalley and The School of Life for providing an ARC!
December 19, 2021
This is a beautiful little book
July 7, 2022
Beautiful ideas that can help all of us in living a more meaningful life fulfilled by curiosity, kindness and compassion towards ourselves and towards each other.
March 27, 2023
Decent. Good images. Concise summaries.
February 1, 2025
این کتاب رو با ترجمه شقایق نظرزاده خوندم و خوب بود. منشأ خیلی از ایده ها و جهان بینی های رایج رو گفته بود که برام خیلی جالب بود.
August 17, 2025
This book should be a compulsory read in the curriculum of “School of Life” in literal sense.
January 1, 2024
This is a very short and simple introduction to 40 philosophical ideas, which is intended to convey an overview of Philosophy itself. It is a good idea for a book, but its execution and scope left me feeling disappointed.
What the book did well was to ensure that it included more than just European Philosophy. Thus, the first half of the book was a plough through Western Philosophy from the Greeks to Sartre. Then the second half of the book explored Chinese, Japanese and ‘Eastern’ ideas. Amongst those ideas we were introduced to Wabi Sabi, as finding beauty in imperfection (Kindle 69%); and about Kintsugi (68%) as the hope which repaired objects represent.
It was good to see material from outside Europe, but the structure of the book meant that the book became an East-West model of Philosophy, and that resulted in there being little from Indigenous communities and little from the wealth of Arabic Philosophy.
I thought that the selection of topics was also a little odd in places. I noted that the Greek ideas of Eros and Philia were introduced, but there was no meaningful discussion of Agape (18%). This was all the odder, when there was a section on the Christian idea of Original Sin (22%), but one of the most distinctive features of Christianity is its stress upon Agape...
In the background of the book there was also a negativity or tone which was unhelpful. For example, the book opened by proclaiming that ‘Philosophy is a deeply unpopular subject….’ (7%) Really? What is the authors evidence for that negative opinion?. Then the Introduction closed by telling us that ‘Philosophy is often done in universities by people with no interest in improving the world…’ (10%). Once again, what is the author's evidence for judging philosophers to be so selfish? And why are these kinds of negative opinions about philosophy and philosophers being pushed onto the reader, anyway?
Overall I was disappointed with the book, although I can also see that it does contain some interesting ideas which will appeal to some readers.
These comments are honest opinions based on an Advanced Review Copy of the text.
What the book did well was to ensure that it included more than just European Philosophy. Thus, the first half of the book was a plough through Western Philosophy from the Greeks to Sartre. Then the second half of the book explored Chinese, Japanese and ‘Eastern’ ideas. Amongst those ideas we were introduced to Wabi Sabi, as finding beauty in imperfection (Kindle 69%); and about Kintsugi (68%) as the hope which repaired objects represent.
It was good to see material from outside Europe, but the structure of the book meant that the book became an East-West model of Philosophy, and that resulted in there being little from Indigenous communities and little from the wealth of Arabic Philosophy.
I thought that the selection of topics was also a little odd in places. I noted that the Greek ideas of Eros and Philia were introduced, but there was no meaningful discussion of Agape (18%). This was all the odder, when there was a section on the Christian idea of Original Sin (22%), but one of the most distinctive features of Christianity is its stress upon Agape...
In the background of the book there was also a negativity or tone which was unhelpful. For example, the book opened by proclaiming that ‘Philosophy is a deeply unpopular subject….’ (7%) Really? What is the authors evidence for that negative opinion?. Then the Introduction closed by telling us that ‘Philosophy is often done in universities by people with no interest in improving the world…’ (10%). Once again, what is the author's evidence for judging philosophers to be so selfish? And why are these kinds of negative opinions about philosophy and philosophers being pushed onto the reader, anyway?
Overall I was disappointed with the book, although I can also see that it does contain some interesting ideas which will appeal to some readers.
These comments are honest opinions based on an Advanced Review Copy of the text.
June 13, 2021
A little book of magic, that's what I'd call this. I hadn't ever paid any attention to philosophy before diving into this book. In fact, I didn't even really know what the word meant. It seems to be a word that people just throw around, perhaps without really knowing what it is or what it means.
The School of Life state that within this book are "its most essential ideas rescued, highlighted and inspiringly presented so that they can work their helpful effects where it is needed most: in our daily lives."
The part of the Philosophy in 40 Ideas that resonated most with me was the Japanese art of Kintsugi which is finding hope in brokenness. It's something I've heard many times in therapy, and something I find utterly beautiful. Kin means 'golden', and tsugi means 'joinery'. So the idea is that broken pieces "should never be tossed away, they should be carefully picked up, reassembled and then glued together with lacquer inflected with luxuriant gold power." The point: render the fault lines between beautiful and strong. We are all in some way broken and "it is not shameful to need repair," the book states.
Other sections of the book include: Democracy, Machiavellianism, Mettā/Benevolence (which is also very interesting), and so, so much more.
Although this book is small, clocking in at only 85 pages, it is absolutely packed full of knowledge, practically bursting at the spine with deeply thought-provoking information. I took a lot away from it, as I do with all the School of Life books. Like I always say, they're small, contain all the necessary information, and they make for great gifts.
Avocado Diaries
The School of Life state that within this book are "its most essential ideas rescued, highlighted and inspiringly presented so that they can work their helpful effects where it is needed most: in our daily lives."
The part of the Philosophy in 40 Ideas that resonated most with me was the Japanese art of Kintsugi which is finding hope in brokenness. It's something I've heard many times in therapy, and something I find utterly beautiful. Kin means 'golden', and tsugi means 'joinery'. So the idea is that broken pieces "should never be tossed away, they should be carefully picked up, reassembled and then glued together with lacquer inflected with luxuriant gold power." The point: render the fault lines between beautiful and strong. We are all in some way broken and "it is not shameful to need repair," the book states.
Other sections of the book include: Democracy, Machiavellianism, Mettā/Benevolence (which is also very interesting), and so, so much more.
Although this book is small, clocking in at only 85 pages, it is absolutely packed full of knowledge, practically bursting at the spine with deeply thought-provoking information. I took a lot away from it, as I do with all the School of Life books. Like I always say, they're small, contain all the necessary information, and they make for great gifts.
Avocado Diaries
January 7, 2021
This book is a summary of greatest philosophical ideas around the world. It’s just a short book but insightful. It’s a good philosophy’s pocketbook, one that you can just come back again and again for reference.
July 18, 2021
It’s simple brevity makes it ideal for any curious beginner to know the nuances, similarities and differences between philosophies.
I would recommend this to any person wanting to have a 3,000 view of Philosophy. Its brevity makes it accesible to anyone.
I would recommend this to any person wanting to have a 3,000 view of Philosophy. Its brevity makes it accesible to anyone.
January 24, 2021
Crisp.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2021
Super simple and easy read; I like books that convey philosophy in a short way - often the realisations come from the reflections rather than the readings.
July 3, 2021
Excellent short book with 40 paragraphs about a philosophy ideas. It is very quick to read and enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews