How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most

by Marietta McCarty

Discover how great philosophers can help you live a more purposeful and peaceful life.

This inspiring new book from the bestselling author of Little Big Minds reveals how the heartbeats of philosophy- clear thinking, quiet reflection, and good conversation- are essential ingredients in a well-lived life. Full of great discussion ideas and activities you can do with a group, How Philosophy Can Save Your Life is framed around ten "big ideas"-themes that, according to McCarty, are necessary to grasp if one wants to live a truly fulfilling life. They

1. Simplicity (philosophers include Epicurus and Charlotte Joko Beck)
2. Communication (philosophers include bell hooks and Karl Jaspers)
3. Perspective (philosophers include Bertrand Russell and Mary Wollstonecraft)
4. Flexibility (philosophers include Socrates, Plato and Alan Watts)
5. Empathy (philosophers include the Dalai Lama and Martin Luther King, Jr.)
6. Individuality (philosophers include Jean-Paul Sartre and Elizabeth Spelman)
7. Belonging (philosophers include Albert Camus and Rita Manning)
8. Serenity (philosophers include Epictetus and Lao Tzu)
9. Possibility (philosophers include John Stuart Mill and Simone de Beauvoir)
10. Joy (philosophers include Shunryu Suzuki and Jane Addams)

So join the greatest thinkers of all time to discover the ideas that will help you live a happier, healthier life!

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Self Help

330 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2009

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book you can casually date and then move on. It wants you to start a long term relationship, meet its parents, get married, go through a rough spot and work on your problems and finally, be buried in the adjacent plot. The book chapters focus on single topics, like "simplicity" or "perspective." The sections of the chapters that summarize the views of two well-known philosophers on each of these topics were the most disappointing. The author freely interpreted the philosophers' writings without substantial excerpts from their works (probably to skirt any copyright issues rather than getting permission to print long quotations) and without providing a separate bibliography of their original publications or biographies.

But it could be a project of several years to get through the additional music, movie, fiction, poetry and activity suggestions at the end of the chapter, not to mention answering a couple dozen deep questions. The author actually suggests forming a Philosophy Club to work through the book together. It could be a great experience, the cited resources are very rich, or it could be a nightmare. If you are looking for commitment, this might be a book for you. I had to say I needed to wash my hair Saturday night.

[Sarah Key · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent introduction to the value of philosophy without being too overwhelming. I liked the facts and lists at the end of each chapter. My favorite parts through the book were when the author would go to young children's classes and talk to them. Fascinating stuff.

[Shaun · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish the book. It was just scantly blurbs of various philosophers and then possible poems, stories, or drama to read that barely related to the philosophers' ideas. I couldn't get through it.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, comprehensive, well thought out book that is clearly and simply on point. The author has determined 10 broad-based ideas that add to our quality of life. She narrates them through her experiences as a philosophy teacher and the eyes of 2 philosophers on each idea and then, most splendidly, provides hands on exercises for the philosophizer to do to best demonstrate these ideas. She gives discussion questions and homework that includes music, poetry, books, movies, activities to do. She includes lists of all her resources. It’s amazing! She clearly is knowledgeable and presents her ideas well. While I have finished reading this book, I look forward to using it and implementing these ideas to improve my quality of life. My favorite idea discussion was individuality - self awareness and the proper awareness of others. My favorite philosophers were Karl Jaspers with his 'loving struggle' conversations among people of disparate cultures, and Mary Wollstonecraft (Mother of Mary Shelley who was author of "Frankenstein") with be true to one's self, unconventional life style, and being so far ahead of her time in regards to women's education and rights. Thanks to my yoga teacher and mentor, Barbara A, for this gift.

[Shane Keen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the idea for this book when I first picked it up. I thought this book was going to be interesting. A worthwhile read. What I discovered was that the more I read the book, the less I seemed to enjoy it. The book contained many activities, which are time consuming. The idea here was that these activities would be ideal for a philosophy club. In fact, the author directly encouraged readers to consider starting a philosophy club. However, the activities left me with no real desire to start a philosophy club (The parts I liked in the activities: I loved the discussion questions and most of the get up and do sections. There were also rare moments that I found a song, movie or book that I would enjoy).

It is clear the author knows philosophy. She teaches it. She lives and breaths the subject. However, this book was a chore to read. I hated the way it was written. This book was not worst book ever written. But it is not the best. I would not recommend this book to anyone, even the person looking for an introduction to philosophy. Save yourself some time and just say no.

[Lois · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is ok - an important consideration when starting this book is that McCarty is a community college professor, and this book is very much written akin to a course syllabus.
The content of the chapters are light, however, the real substance and value in the book (in my opinion) is the appendix at the end of each chapter. I particularly enjoyed the selection of poems and musicians that she included. For this reason, I will keep the hard copy of this book as a phenomenal resource for poets and musicians.

[Mai Hoàng · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish this book since it was sooo draggy and full of preaching about life and love and empathy. I expected it to give me some insights into basic philosophical ideas but it turns out to be a simple self-help book with vague descriptions of those ideologies quoted to help the author make a point. Spent a lot of time on it and did not enjoy at all 😣

[Lindsey Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it for my English course at college. Had some good points and some points that I was very confused about. Wouldn’t have read it if it wasn’t a text for class and I doubt I would ever read it again.

It was a very boring read in my opinion because I don’t see how these ideals would save my life for say

[Juan Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years after reading some of the lessons in this book still stick with me today. I enjoyed the short overviews of different philosophers. I skipped over the interactive sections, but will likely re-read this book and do those sections.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten ideas but hundreds of exercises to engage the mind and body.

[Oliver Olvera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing old tips for actual situation.. follow them in order and you will find a path to the Serenity and Joy

[Kym · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves a written review. Beautifully written, oozes wisdom and simplicity. Must read!

[Fred Ayres · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible attempt.

[The Angry Lawn Gnome]

Ms. McCarty and I broadcast on very different wavelengths, to put it mildly. Doubtless this influenced my decision to drop the book, though I would like to think my main reason is the way she seems to deliberately distort the ideas of the philosophers covered so that they will conform to her Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm view of reality. And not just philosophers; she manages to warp Emily Dickinson in her funhouse mirror as well. The reader is pointed to Nature the Gentlest Mother to "prove" some point or other, but certainly not that any other interpretation might be feasible, after reading, say 'Faith' is a fine invention or God Gave a Loaf to Every Bird? Certainly the last two lines of the poem she cites "Her golden finger on her lip,/Wills silence everywhere," take on some rather ominous overtones.

And that's just one rather simple example. I would wager I could come up with something similar on almost every page, though I abandoned this (finally) around page 65.

[Mycala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may not have saved my life, but it has definitely made a difference even in the short time since I started reading it. I sat down with this right after an amazing trip and I was feeling the post-vacation let-down. From the very first chapter about appreciating the simple things and the here and now, it gave me the attitude adjustment I needed at that moment. Plus, this isn't just a book. It's more like a workbook. There are suggestions for further reading, listening, watching, writing, discussing. Every chapter builds on the ideas in previous chapters and I love books like this that serve as a gateway to further learning and study. Some may think this book is too much work and doesn't have enough substance on its own. If you want something you can read straight through, than yes this probably isn't the philosophy book for you. I adored it so much I bought my own copy. When it arrived in the mail, I discovered it was full of someone else's underlines, notes, and post-its. I didn't mind at all. It was like I was reading it with a new friend, getting another person's perspective on it. I will read this book over and over.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a workbook -- a book you have to "do" rather than read, and seems to be adapted from her very successful PVCC classes and "philosophy clubs" with school children in Charlottesville. It briefly presents ten significant topics in philosophy, each with short essays on two people who've addressed the theme in their work followed by a long series of questions, music listening and poetry reading exercises, and suggestions for further reading (fiction and nonfiction.)
One could actually spend a big portion of his or her life following up the questions, and it would be time well spent in a life better lived.
She has a lively style -- on lacking true perspective on your situation (p. 66): "A wet newspaper and world events reported within its soggy pages receive identical responses."

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware this book will increase your current want to read list!! What a great introduction to some interesting philosophers. I love the different concepts - Simplicity, Communication, Perspective, Flexibility, Empathy, Individuality, Belonging, Serenity, Possibility, and Joy. Each chapter also has mini exercises that support each idea.

If you are looking for a book to challenge and inspire you this is it.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay for me - I would actually probably give it about a 2 1/2. The concept was great - linking important concepts to what current and past philosophers have to say about them - but I just found the writing to be a bit thin. I guess her chosen themes seemed a bit common. Not that serenity, joy, individuality and the like aren't worth further examination, they can just seem really overdone if the ideas aren't out of this world original.

[Ljonz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author takes each idea and quotes/discusses two philosophers whom she thinks exemplify the idea. At the end of each chapter she provides a list of resources, including music, that intensifies her experience of the idea. It was fun to order CD's from the library and listen to some new music; some of which I would not have discovered on my own.
The author also suggests the reader start a philosophy group, people with whom to read and discuss ideas.

[Magdalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love philosophy and as much as the title makes this sound like a self-help book, it isn't at all! it elaborates on some of the top philosophies by breaking it down into the 10 ideas the author details.
BEST part of the book, each category has a list of prose, music or things to do to enrich your life with that particular ideology. and it has book club questions to ask if you're reading with a group of people.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about an inch deep. Too bad, it's a nice idea. The only really interesting parts of it are lists of music, poetry and literature that go along with each of her ten "philosophical ideas" Too bad she didn't include the visual arts really as well--I kept thinking of art that would "go with" each topic. About the only thing I really had to think about, sadly.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

more like a self-help book than philosophy pondering. Zen is often mentioned throughout the book, therefore unintentionally or subliminally insinuates that Zen is the "ultimate" philosophy on life...may be it is, if you know what it is :-)

The discussion/exercises/resources at the end of each section enriches the reading. Well-done!

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love philosphy in any event and this is a nice compliation of some key themes. I have skipped around the chapters but would be excited about starting a Philosophy Club from this book. However, I have no idea who my members would be as yet...

[sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh, this book is more about how to start a philosophy club than about great and deep ideas. It was the only book I brought with me on a long flight (three connections, all of which were delayed), and I still couldn't finish it. That's how bad it was.

[Jeffrey]

Thoughtful and challenging! This is one of those books that really altered my thinking. It's also a great resource for lists of philosophically oriented movies, music and literature. Overall, it's a good tool for promoting self-awareness and mindfulness in everyday life.

[Isla McKetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with simplified ideas and homework for leading life according to 10 easy principles, I enjoyed this book and the way it engaged my thinking. It will also be easy to revisit this book and try new bits of "homework" as I want to meditate on one of the principles.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice way to introduce and apply philosophical concepts for people unused to thinking about philosophy-- a little more of a self help tome, deeinitely to be shared with a group. Of course, I was fairly warned by the title that this is what I was getting into.

[Sukhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book to refresh philosophy concepts. I really enjoyed the way the author tried to include daily living practical tips and ideas to implement the principles she included. I will probably reread it.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. The most important thing I got out of it is that Philosophy should be relavant to people's lives. I do have one quibble: McCarty doesn't give detailed descriptions of each philosopher's ideas.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book, but obviously meant for undergraduate students or beginners with such ideas.