Philosophy Archives

The Evolution of Ideas: Why It Matters Where Ideas Come From

Does it matter where ideas come from? How could that understanding help you solve problems? When you understand where an idea came from, you’ll better understand the idea in the present and where it could go in the future. In The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking, Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird explain how you can leverage this understanding to improve your problem-solving abilities. Keep reading to learn how to understand the evolution of ideas and to use history as a guide to the future.

The Hedonic Treadmill: An Endless Pursuit of Happiness

What is the “hedonic treadmill”? Why are so many of us stuck in this emotional cycle? How can you get out of it? Much of life is a tug-of-war between various aspects of existence—we’re caught in the struggle between what we desire and life’s obstacles. Author Derren Brown argues that this struggle in modern society has trapped many of us in a destructive emotional cycle called the hedonic treadmill. Read on to learn how Brown explains the dangers of the hedonic treadmill and how to end the cycle.

Death Is a Natural Part of Life—And That’s a Happy Thought

Death is a natural part of life—how can this thought help you to be happier today? How can you learn to be comfortable with the idea of death? While death is a natural part of life, most of modern society is uncomfortable with the idea of death and even more uncomfortable with discussions of dying. Author Derren Brown says that by embracing mortality, we can defeat our fear of death and live happier lives in the present. Read on to learn how to be more comfortable with the idea that death is a natural part of life, according to Brown.

Stoicism on Anger: Why It’s the Most Destructive Emotion

What are the opinions of Stoicism on anger? Why is anger the most destructive emotion? How can you manage your anger better? On anger, Stoicism claims it is the single most destructive emotion to happiness. According to author Derren Brown, whose book Happy explored the ancient Greek philosophy of obtaining true happiness, anger is one of the three major obstacles to living a well-balanced and fulfilling life. Read on to learn how Stoicism explains anger and strategies to defuse it, according to Brown’s book.

How Rewriting Your Story Can Make You Happier

How can rewriting your story benefit you? What is deep self-examination? How can you begin? Older eras have sought happiness through lives of virtue and intellectual pursuits, while the modern age places value on achievement, fame, and fortune. In Happy, Derren Brown suggests that by rewriting your story based on a philosophy of your own, you can lead a more thoughtful and generally happier life. Read on to learn Brown’s advice for rewriting your story through philosophical, deep self-examination.

How Stoicism and Happiness Work Hand in Hand

How are Stoicism and happiness connected? What do the Stoics say about obtaining happiness? We all want to be happy, but how to achieve happiness, or even how to define it, has been a problem that philosophers, theologians, and psychologists have long tried to solve. Author Derren Brown studied the Epicureans as well as Stoicism and happiness to draw conclusions about living a truly happy life. Read on to learn why Brown says understanding Stoicism is one of the cornerstones of happiness.

Solving the True Meaning of Happiness With Philosophy

What is the true meaning of happiness? What can we learn from the teachings of ancient philosophy? In his book Happy, Derren Brown seeks to find the definition of a happy life, the philosophical building blocks we can use to achieve it, and the barriers that prevent us from living to our fullest. Brown’s approach is grounded in the philosophy of ancient Greek philosophers. Keep reading to learn about Brown’s quest to solve the true meaning of happiness, based on philosophy.

Overview of Derren Brown’s Book Happy

Looking for an overview of Derren Brown’s book Happy? What is the author’s key advice about understanding and obtaining happiness? Derren Brown suggests that the answers to happiness can be found in the teachings of the ancient Greek philosophers, like the Stoics and Epicureans. In his book Happy, Derren Brown says that by adopting this kind of philosophy, we can lead thoughtful, balanced, and more well-rounded lives. Read on for an overview of Derren Brown’s book Happy to learn the fundamental ideas of the book.

Human Progress: Steven Pinker Explains What It Means

What is human progress? Can it be defined objectively? What’s “better”? Psychologist Steven Pinker believes that humanity is on the path of progress. But, exactly what that means can be hard to pin down. He tackles the definition in his book Enlightenment Now. Keep reading to learn what human progress is, according to Pinker.

Enlightenment Values: The Driving Forces of Progress?

What are Enlightenment values? How are they relevant today? In his book Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker provides statistics to show that life has improved over time, all around the world. And he says the driving forces of this progress are reason, science, and humanism—values that are derived from the European Enlightenment. Continue reading to learn more about these Enlightenment values from Pinker’s perspective.