A Brief History of Thought: A Philosophical Guide to Living (Learning to Live)

NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Ferry's openness, energy, and charm as a teacher burst through on every page." —Wall Street Journal From the timeless wisdom of the ancient Greeks to Christianity, the Enlightenment, existentialism, and postmodernism, Luc Ferry’s instant classic brilliantly and accessibly explains the enduring teachings of philosophy—including its profound relevance to modern daily life and its essential role in achieving happiness and living a meaningful life. This lively journey through the great thinkers will enlighten every reader, young and old. An Introduction To Philosophy Focuses On The Questions Of What It Means To Be Human And How To React To The Reality Of Death By Exploring Ancient Stoic, Christian, Early Modern, And Contemporary Approaches As Well As The Views Of Nietzsche. What Is Philosophy? -- The Greek Miracle -- The Victory Of Christianity Over Greek Philosophy -- Humanism, Or The Birth Of Modern Philosophy -- Postmodernity: The Case Of Nietzsche -- After Deconstruction: Contemporary Philosophy. Luc Ferry ; Translated By Theo Cuffe. First Published Under The Title, Learning To Live In Great Britain In 2010 By Canongate Books. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [269]-270) And Index. Translated From The French. French superstar philosopher Luc Ferry encapsulates an enlightening treatise of pop-philosophy in a lively narrative of Western thought-explaining how the history of philosophy can teach us how to live better lives today. This blockbuster better living guide has already sold nearly a half a million copies in Europe; now it is available worldwide in an exciting, highly readable translation: A Brief History of Thought. Thomas Cathcut & Daniel Klein, authors of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar, call Ferry's thrilling opus "a fine introduction to philosophy and its fundamental relevance to liv Eight months on the bestseller lists in France! From the timeless wisdom of the ancient Greeks to Christianity, the Enlightenment, existentialism, and postmodernism, Luc Ferry’s instant classic brilliantly and accessibly explains the enduring teachings of philosophy—including its profound relevance to modern daily life and its essential role in achieving happiness and living a meaningful life. This lively journey through the great thinkers will enlighten every reader, young and old. This introduction to philosophy focuses on the questions of what it means to be human and how to react to the reality of death by exploring ancient Stoic, Christian, early modern, and contemporary approaches as well as the views of Nietzsche