The Consolations of Philosophy - Book Report/Review Example

The Consolations of Philosophy The 21st century world might be termed as the most developed of all time owing tomedical, technological and infrastructural innovations; however, the present day man is faced with many challenges and obstacles in life. Solutions to all these problems have been diverse and segregated. Considering this diverse and complicated approach to societal problems Alain De button wrote a book, Consolations of Philosophy which addresses various ways in which philosophy can be used to attain consolation in life. This paper will present a book review of De button’s work. Major emphasis will be anchored on what De Button is saying, doing, and what he tries to attain in the book. The final emphasis will be centered on detailed analysis and critique of chapter three of this book. In ancient Roman Empire and Greece, philosophers were regarded as natural authorities with superfluous wisdom to answer most pressing queries in the world. The role of philosophy in human life has continually diminished to reach a climax in the 21st century where any philosophical word is equated to senescence. Consolations of Philosophy presents de button’s ideology on philosophy and its capability to offer consolation in many compromising situations (DeBotton 10). Using six philosophers(three modern and three ancient), de button shows how consolation from frustration (Seneca), unpopularity (Socrates), broken heart (Schopenhauer), inadequacy (Montaigne), less money (Epicurus), and difficulties (Nietzsche) can be achieved through philosophy. The artistic approach and work with which this philosophical book is presented with is exhilarating. The book is organized into short six chapters and utilized cut outs like those of superman, remote control, chocolate milk cartoon, and a sleeping baby. Despite the neglect and hatred targeted towards philosophy by the modern society, this book seeks to present a form of philosophy that can help people. De button aims to show people that consumption of philosophy is good since it has much wisdom to offer. In the first chapter, de button focuses on unpopularity which is presented inform of Socrates (15). This philosopher was sentenced to death owing to his vehement instance on his well known truth. De button has achieved the aims of showing unpopularity; since, there is possibly no level of unpopularity that can beat that of being lynched by fellow citizens (56). To de button, Socrates serves as an extreme example of unpopularity. There is possibly no other person who can surpass that. This is a consolation to the people who are unpopular in their areas, whether in work, school, or politics. Socrates position offers people an encouragement to be intelligent in every decision that they make. It is a warning that people should reevaluate their stands even if they are true especially incases where majority disagree. I do not see the point of de button arguing Socrates life as an example to emulate. He asserts that Socrates was later immortalized by Plato and other philosophers; however, I do not see any sense in standing with ones decision even if it means your death. That according to the populist ideologies which I respect is not an intelligent decision. Using Epicurus, de buttons teaches that every best thing found in the world is free (40). Poverty by all standards is great wealth at least if measured by the natural purpose of life. This is a consolation to those with limited resources. In the case of Montaigne, de button alludes to the fact that reasoning should not be overemphasized in life. Normality as defined by the society overlooks major facts, which are reasonable. Condemning vast areas of ones experiences is totally suicidal. Overcoming of ones inadequacies can only be achieved by reconciling with the inadequacies first before tackling them (122). Schopenhauer his presented as a person with a broken heart, but very wise. His closest companions throughout his life were poodles. Consequently, he professed that women were only creatures existing for the sole reason of race propagation; otherwise they would not be present as a man would not need any of them. This was a consolation to his broken heart. Resulting from this he advanced that love is only a mask brought by sexual relations; conversely, those people would otherwise have been hateful. With this conclusion, de button has succeeded in offering the leeway, which philosophy uses to console the broken hearted. The overall ideal of this book has been relayed; however, its impact on the readers remains debatable. His idea of introducing the six philosophers each with the aim of providing a common consoling ideology on earthly frustrations is founded on truth, but wrongly presented. One of the greatest problems with de buttons work is that the chapters are extremely short. Additionally, the problems presented seem too simple and palatable to be linked to the complex thinkers that de buttons alludes to in his work. De button may have succeeded in bringing out pertinent issues that the six philosophers stood for and the role of philosophy in life, but he seems not to be interested in the alleviation of people’s problems. He is more interested in proving a point that philosophy is the way of life and wisdom and should not be disputed. This makes him depart from the spin of the book, which is, philosophy has the capability help ameliorate life obstacles. Chapter three of this book focuses on consolation of frustration. This is presented inform of Seneca. From this chapter, we discover that everything that makes people angry is optimistic notions and ideologist about what other people and the world at large are like. The prejudice and preformed notions cause huge frustrations in life if we do not avoid them (85). De buttons seeks to educate people from Seneca’s life that the greatest furies in one’s life sprout from undertakings and events that seem to violate ones ground rules for existence. Consequently, Seneca had faulted optimism that the modern society is advocating for and taught otherwise. He teaches that it is always wiser to get prepared for the worst; since, the worst is most assuredly possible in all situations. This will cushion people from the inconsolable frustrations that arise when the worst happens. This chapter of frustration is a mere presentation of biographical touches of Seneca. Every aspect of present day world frustrations in the present day world is twisted to be equally represented by what Seneca underwent in the ancient times. This is not the way to solve frustration obstacles. Eventually, one may be tempted to think that instead of the chapter offering consolation from frustration, it only offers one more reasons to be frustrated! The true nature of philosophy is not presented in this chapter; instead a decadent one is presented which acts to mislead readers of this chapter and the entire book at large on the true nature of philosophy. The Consolation for Frustration offered by Seneca is advising people not to worry, but instead be happy. Seneca taught and advised Nero, a famous roman emperor who was insane (83). In addition to the frustrations from this emperor, Seneca had held extremely unrealistically and optimistic assumptions that revolved around the mechanism of how world operated. When things did not turn out well, he realized that he was very frustrated. Consequently, he concluded that the most detrimental outcomes are frustrations that are unanticipated. Taking caution early enough and preparing for the worst not only prepares one for a soft lading, but also helps to realize that what can go wrong is not entirely catastrophic. This teaching is applicable in the present day life. For example, if one is to report to an interview at 8 o’clock and chooses to leave few minutes before time, the person meets a traffic jam and gets frustrated. This frustration could have been avoided if he planned before time and left early enough to anticipate the time taken in the traffic jam. Another example is a person who settles in an area with a cycle of cyclones, but decides to erect a normal house without steel reinforcements. A strong one comes years later, and the house is knocked down. This frustration could have been avoided, if it was anticipated and stronger reinforcements used or a cheaper one erected, this would have made it easy and less frustrating to erect another one after the cyclone is over. According to de button, most of the present day frustrations can be avoided by earlier anticipating them and having a second plan. I think that is why in every building, there are exit routes incase of fires, there are fire extinguishers, and stair cases incase elevators decided to stop working. According to de button Anger was viewed by Seneca as madness. There is no written agreement that the universe would conspire to fulfill every wish of a person. Using the worst case scenario for planning cushions people from shock (87). Seneca was to be executed, and his anticipation for it soothed his heat a little. This chapter, however, fails to note that some plans do not need to be made before hand. For example, marrying a woman only to find that she is infertile cannot have a second plan in religions professing monogamous marriages. In conclusion, this paper sought to present a book review of De button’s Consolations of Philosophy. Major emphasis has been laid on what De Button is saying in the book and what he tries to attain. It has also presented a critique of chapter three of this book. De button’s ideology uses six philosophers(three modern and three ancient) to how consolation from frustration (Seneca), unpopularity (Socrates), broken heart (Schopenhauer), inadequacy (Montaigne), less money (Epicurus), and difficulties (Nietzsche) can be achieved through philosophy. One of the greatest problems with de buttons work is that the chapters are extremely short, and the problems presented seem too simple and palatable to be linked to the complex thinkers that de buttons alludes to in his work. Chapter three of this book focuses on consolation of frustration. Through Seneca, we find the most detrimental outcomes are frustrations that are unanticipated. Thus, using the worst case scenario for planning cushions people from shock. Work cited DeBotton, Alain. The Consolations of Philosophy. London: Hamilton, 2000. Print. Read More