Consolations of Philosophy

Recently Received: The Consolations of Philosophy, by Alain De Botton. Publisher: Pantheon.

Philosophy is usually treated like an esoteric subject fit only for the academy — something that only very well educated people can understand and discuss. This is unfortunate because philosophy deals with the very nature of knowledge, humanity, and life, which means that it's something everyone needs to be able to participate in and benefit from. Even more unfortunate is the fact that this perception of philosophy is usually well-founded — philosophy today is done more for the sake of academic philosophers than the average person. Isn't there anything in the body of philosophy, historical and contemporary, which can help the average person living the average life?

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