The Consolations of Philosophy

Taking a short break from my required correspondence course reading, I have just finished The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton. The title is borrowed from a medieval work by Boethius, and in this book de Botton introduces the reader to the lives and ideas of several important philosophers. He highlights how such philosophy can speak to our deepest needs and uncertainties today.

Consolation for Unpopularity: Socrates

Socrates knew that prevalent cultural norms and opinions were not always based in reality and common sense. Truth is not decided by majority opinion, but ought to be the result of logic. Just because your idea is uncommon does not mean that it is wrong. Even when Socrates was condemned to death by the court of Athens (on charges of failing to worship the gods and corrupting the city's youth), he refused to renounce his philosophy though doing so probably could have saved his life. He held his beliefs, even when they made him unpopular. In contrast, de Botton puts words to the way we often feel: "In conversations, my priority was to be liked, rather than to speak the truth" (7).

Consolation for Not Having Enough Money: Epicurus

Epicurus defined the goal of life to be pleasure. However, the things that bring us the most pleasure do not require a great deal of money: friendship, freedom, and reflection. With these elements a person can be happy with our without wealth; without them a person will be unhappy despite any amount of money. The requisites of pleasure are simple and inexpensive.

Consolation for Frustration: Seneca

We are frustrated when reality does not conform to our desires. Seneca recommends with pessimism that we expect the worst so that it cannot surprise us, and lower our idea of what we are entitled to. If we seriously consider our fears, we may discover that their realization wouldn't be as bad as we imagine. In addition, we ought to recognize that disasters are indiscriminate and not take them personally.

Seneca provides an interesting explanation of the interaction between freedom and fate: a dog tied to a cart travelling in one direction has the choice to gladly trot in the same direction, or to attempt to rebel and be forced along. We will follow the road of fate regardless, but the experience will be easier and more pleasurable if we submit tranquilly to circumstances that we cannot change. "It is in our spontaneous acceptance of necessity that we find our distinctive freedom" (109).

Consolation for Inadequacy: Michel de Montaigne

Montaigne noticed that a great deal of philosophy and appropriate social conversation deny a great deal of the natural human condition. In his writings, he sought to be honest about himself as an entire person - mind and body. It is okay to accept our frailties, because we all share in the human condition (125)."What we see evidence for in others, we will attend to within, what others are silent about, we may stay blind to or experience only in shame" (129); thus Montaigne even wrote about experiences that could seem embarrassing or uncouth. By understanding the experiences of others we can be more gracious with ourselves.

Montaigne also defines the difference between learning (book knowledge and trivia) and wisdom (keys to living well), emphasizing the preeminent value of wisdom.

I don't think I had heard of this philosopher before, but reading about him made me interested in looking into his writing further.

Consolation for a Broken Heart: Schopenhauer

Schopenhauer believes that love is an expression of the "will-to-life," a subconscious drive to continue the human species by creating viable offspring. When we fall in love with someone, we are simply (unconsciously) recognizing that their genes will fit well with ours. When we fall out of love with someone, we are simply realizing that our first impression of genetic suitability was wrong - it's nothing personal. This can even be a relief, because the person we choose as a likely mate for healthy, attractive children is not necessarily an appropriate companion who will make us happy (but our will-to-life does not allow us to recognize this, and subjugates our happiness to the furtherance of the human race). It also helps to know that everyone else has at one time or another experienced the same thing.

Consolation for Difficulties: Nietzsche

The core of Nietzsche's philosophy (at least what is presented here) is the idea that pain and pleasure are intimately connected. Reducing one's pain in turn reduces one's capacity for pleasure because they go hand in hand. "Fulfilment was to be reached not by avoiding pain, but by recognizing its role as a natural, inevitable step on the way to reaching anything good" (210). Suffering spurs us on to greater achievement. Nietzsche warns us against low expectations and against anything that numbs or accustoms us to our pain and encourages us to settle.