The World's Best Book Summaries
How is it that the universe’s parameters are “just right” to support life? Can science ever solve this mystery? In his book A Short History of Nearly Everything, Bill Bryson discusses a few of the unknowns and controversies that still exist in the sciences. One of those is the “fine-tuning problem.” Continue reading to learn about the fine-tuning of the universe and why it has many scientists scratching their heads.
What gives your life meaning? Is there an inherent purpose to life? One of the biggest questions in philosophy concerns the meaning of life. Your life’s purpose is the thing that you strive for—the reason you have goals and make decisions every day. If you’re wondering what gives your life meaning, keep reading.
What is the purpose of myth? How can we use it as a model for life? What’s so dangerous about ideologies? In the age of science, we’ve turned our backs on the myths our ancestors believed. In doing so, we’ve lost a crucial part of the human experience. Myth gives us the moral foundations of society and the tools for adapting to life’s challenges—and it teaches us to recognize our capacity for good and evil. Continue reading to learn how, beneath its fanciful trappings, myth gives us meaning.
How can you achieve peace of mind? Is it reasonable to have pride? What are some strategies for dealing with hardships in life? Stoicism teaches how to live a happy and fulfilling life through thoughtful, rational action. The key is accepting things as they are and doing the best you can with the life you’re given. The Discourses and Selected Writings of Epictetus is one of the most prominent collections of Stoic teachings. Continue reading for an overview.
Do you stay calm when you face adversity? Can you see the bright side in difficult times? The Stoic philosophers taught that the human powers of reason and choice are of paramount importance. Epictetus discussed how to use those abilities to overcome hardships, explaining that challenges are opportunities for growth. Continue reading to learn how you can take advantage of tough situations.
Is there value in small talk? What’s the Stoic view of dignity? How should you spend most of your time? According to Epictetus, Stoicism is about living well through dignity and discipline. He offers four rules for living as a Stoic: speak less, maintain an air of seriousness, focus on developing your mind (while not neglecting your body), and start practicing Stoicism now. Continue reading to learn more about these four rules.
Would you like to have more peace in life? What could you do differently—and how could you think differently—to live well? The Stoic philosophers believed they knew the secret to the good life. Epictetus, one of the most influential of these philosophers, offers three pieces of advice: take life as it comes, treat others well, and be mindful of your mortality. Read more to learn how to live a good life as Epictetus envisioned.
When things go wrong, do you look for someone or something to blame? If so, what good does that do? Placing blame is not a Stoic way to live. Philosophers such as Epictetus teach that it’s far better to accept things as they are. So, forget about pointing fingers in every direction—even inward. Continue reading to learn how acceptance is better than the blame game.
Do you think first before you act, or do you react in emotion? How might you think more objectively about something that’s happening to you? Stoicism emphasizes calm dignity and inner strength—that you don’t let anything upset or excite you so you can bring reason to bear in every situation. Epictetus teaches how to meet challenges with quiet rationality—to think first before you act. Read more to learn how to adopt this Stoic practice of rational action.
What’s the difference between science and mythology when it comes to how we understand the world and ourselves? What are their distinct goals? Jordan Peterson contends that science plays a role in helping us understand objective reality but that we need myths to inform our subjective judgments. Myths provide meaning that science cannot. Read more to understand Peterson’s argument.