The Consolations of Philosophy

The Consolations of Philosophy

Rating

7.0

The Pequod Review:

In The Consolations of Philosophy, Alain de Botton draws on insights from several different philosophers (Montaigne, Schopenhauer, Socrates, Seneca, etc.) to offer consolations for various personal difficulties — unpopularity, a lack of money, inadequacy, frustration, and a broken heart. His subject is too broad and his readings of each philosopher are embarrassingly shallow — the Marxism section alone justifies every negative review de Botton has received — but there is just enough of his trademark insight and wit to make it a worthwhile book.