Danish psychology professor Svend Brinkmann believes that the increasing pace of modern life is training human beings not to think. This is because thought, according to Brinkmann, is a slow process that requires an ability to mull over a problem while resisting any kneejerk reactions. Brinkmann appeals to a range of great thinkers--Heidegger, Aristotle, Dewey, etc.--both to support his diagnosis of modernity and to coach his readers to begin thinking, which is very meaningful. I rate this book two stars not because I disagree with Brinkmann but because I found the book lacking in insights beyond what would be obvious to anyone who had encountered these thinkers.
I chose to read this book because I hoped that Brinkmann would use his psychological expertise to describe more specifically the ways that he thinks thought is being suppressed by modern culture, but this is not that book. Brinkmann writes for people who feel on some level that thinking is important but who, for whatever reason, do not dare to read the major thinkers themselves. For such readers, Brinkman writes clearly and approachably.