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The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers

Eric Weiner (Goodreads Author)

4.11 · Rating details · 876 ratings · 143 reviews

The New York Times bestselling author of The Geography of Bliss embarks on a rollicking intellectual journey, following in the footsteps of history’s greatest thinkers and showing us how each—from Epicurus to Gandhi, Thoreau to Beauvoir—offers practical and spiritual lessons for today’s unsettled times.

We turn to philosophy for the same reasons we travel: to see the world ...more

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Hardcover, 352 pages

Published August 25th 2020 by Avid Reader Press / Simon Schuster (first published 2020)

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Sep 05, 2020 Ryan Boissonneault rated it liked it

Philosophy is most beneficial, not when treated as a lifeless academic exercise, but as a way of life that forces one to see the world in a new light. While science can provide us with information and knowledge (organized information), it is philosophy and the related fields in the humanities that furnishes us with wisdom.

The deepest questions regarding reality, knowledge, existence, morality, and politics cannot be solved by crunching numbers or running experiments; they must be solved by a pr Philosophy is most beneficial, not when treated as a lifeless academic exercise, but as a way of life that forces one to see the world in a new light. While science can provide us with information and knowledge (organized information), it is philosophy and the related fields in the humanities that furnishes us with wisdom.

The deepest questions regarding reality, knowledge, existence, morality, and politics cannot be solved by crunching numbers or running experiments; they must be solved by a process of deep reflection and logical rigor—at least for those interested in thinking for themselves. The manner in which you form your beliefs, treat others, and develop your character are all philosophical problems that you either figure out for yourself or else allow others to figure out for you.

That’s what makes books like the Socrates Express beneficial; for those with limited exposure to philosophy, it can force them to ask uncomfortable questions and challenge their most fundamental beliefs, leading to drastic changes in thought and behavior and a greater sense of intellectual independence (e.g., freedom from dogma).

In The Socrates Express, Eric Weiner takes the reader on a journey as he travels the world reading and reflecting on the works and ideas of 14 great philosophers from across history. Each chapter is devoted to a particular philosopher and idea that can help us to lead more examined and ultimately more fulfilling and rewarding lives. The reader will learn how to grapple with the big questions and apply the lessons from philosophy to develop gratitude, become more attentive and present, build character, cultivate generosity, better handle adversity, and much more. In this sense, the book works.

On the other hand, for seasoned readers of philosophy, the treatment of each philosopher will at times feel rather shallow. If you strip away the biographical details and personal commentary about the author's life and travels, you’re left with very superficial accounts of the actual ideas. If you are interested mainly in the ideas, don’t be surprised if you lose patience with the author’s digressions and constant attempts at humor.

Take the first chapter on the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius as a case in point. The Meditations is a brilliant work of philosophy with countless examples of deep philosophical wisdom, worthy of extended analysis and reflection. However, the author condenses all of this down into a few quotes and a couple brief comments about getting out of bed in the morning and fulfilling your duties. The rest of the chapter is devoted to the author’s experience on the train and some biographical details of Marcus. While some chapters are better than others, the coverage often feels superficial—almost like the author could have read an encyclopedia article on each philosopher and then wrote the chapter based on that alone.

The bottom line: some people are going to love the book while others are going to lose patience quickly. I’m somewhere in the middle. But before we criticize too harshly, we should remember that philosophy can be studied and practiced on multiple levels. If we insist that philosophy must always be highly technical, a wider audience cannot be reached, and instead of philosophy people will flock to religion and related forms of dogma. This is what we should want to avoid. While this may not be the most rigorous philosophy book you’ve ever encountered, it’s valuable in that it exposes the reader to fundamental questions in an entertaining and easily accessible manner. And, considering the entire subject of philosophy is essentially ignored in our public education system, there’s always a need for this. ...more

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Apr 16, 2020 Bandit rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Being a huge fan of both the author and the subject, this book was an easy choice. I eagerly waited for Netgalley to approve me for a copy and then, no less eagerly, read it. Although, actually it was a measured eagerness, I didn’t want to overcram my brain with a reading binge, opting instead to make it more memorable and distinct, so it was 3 major sections of the book over 3 different days. And so hop on onto the Socrates express, the man might have highjacked the title, but in this book he s Being a huge fan of both the author and the subject, this book was an easy choice. I eagerly waited for Netgalley to approve me for a copy and then, no less eagerly, read it. Although, actually it was a measured eagerness, I didn’t want to overcram my brain with a reading binge, opting instead to make it more memorable and distinct, so it was 3 major sections of the book over 3 different days. And so hop on onto the Socrates express, the man might have highjacked the title, but in this book he shares billing with a bevy of other great thinkers, from ancient world all the way up to the last (it remains to be seen whether this one will produce any greatness) century. And oh what an excellent ride. The author is passionate about train travel, so much so that it’s included into every chapter of this volume as he travels to various destinations over different continents in search of…well, that’s the crux of the book, isn’t it…in search of a different way to think, act, live. In search of a different perspective or frame through which we experience all around us. A way to process information, mere data, into something higher and more sophisticated, the way you can be not merely knowledgeable but wise. For which there’s a great quote in the book by a British musician named Miles something and I paraphrase…if knowledge is knowing tomato is a fruit, being wise would be not including it in a fruit salad. Thoughts and ideas don’t just exist, they are meant to be processed, interpreted and utilized to the best of one’s ability. This ability might be greatly enhanced by learning about the men and few, so very few (this seems like a men’s game) women in this book. So first off, as previously mentioned I’m a huge fan of the author, I loved his Geography of…books and he certainly doesn’t disappoint with this one. Weiner’s got a natural talent for both engaging the readers with his adventures and, especially important, explaining complex ideas simply. In this book you’ll find great philosophies throughout the ages presented in a relatable, accessible way that never veers into pedagogic or tedious. Maybe I’m biased, I already find the subject fascinating, but no, I do think that this might be somewhat close to objectivity, Weiner makes the subject exciting for everyone. Through biographical sketches, practical examples and utilizing a charming, humorous, self deprecating approach, Weiner rides a train from place to place (though presumably some planes and automobiles were also involved) to teach himself and us in the process about what philosophy can do for us. Sure, as a degree it’s pretty much useless, but as a practice it has tons of applications. Most importantly it helps improve our thinking, genuinely improve it, elevate it to new levels, with the eventual goal of optimizing or lives. It’s yoga of the mind. Practice this. After all, wouldn’t you want a strong and flexible mind? Lean to delight in small pleasure and the art of enough like Epicurus, debate to the truth like Socrates, experience compassion like Weil, enjoy nature like Thoreau and so on. For me this was a very edifying and rewarding read. I recognized aspects of myself and my ways in many of these theories. My personal model is a mix of things, I’m proud of my stoic leanings and Shopenhauer would be proud of my misanthropic ones. I enjoy a good Socratic debate and I’m a strong believer in Epicurean good enough. It was actually great to read this book and behold one’s own thoughts reflected (much more eloquently and profoundly) by the great thinkers throughout the ages. Or is that humblebragging? Sorry. Ok, so for as many of these as I’ve agreed with, there were some that just…didn’t and don’t work for me. This, after all, isn’t a perfect book, it’s just a really really good one. And so the chapter of Confucius was set in NYC, because what…statue, neighborhood, odd, almost like a slight. The chapter on Soi Shenagen, the author of Pillow Book, is interesting, but for me didn’t merit an inclusion, unless philosophy is to be taken here strictly as way of life. Well, this courtesan’s way of life was making lists of small things she enjoyed and, while yes, enjoyment of small things is important, it doesn’t seem like an intellectual equal of other great minds included in the book. And then there’s Gandhi. Weiner’s favorite gets a practically schoolboy fawning over and, of course, the Father of India is greatly popular in the west and everyone has seen the Be the change you wish…stickers, but…but…this is a man whose peace loving theories were brutal on his followers, a man whose rampant asceticism was difficult to take (Weiner thinks he’s go to a Gandhi ashram back in the way, what a joke, the author, strictly from his own descriptions, is as soft and self indulgent of a westerner as they come, he’d last a day) and has everyone forgotten the horribly misguided at best and horrifically offensive at worst things Gandhi said about the Fuhrer (nice chap, really) and Jewish people (why didn’t they promote peaceable resistance by killing themselves to attract attention of the world). Or how about the fact that Gandhi systemically mistreated his wife, wasn’t all that great to his kids and at 75 decided to test his wows of celibacy by sleeping naked with young women including his own grandniece. And yes, I understand that people are fickle and random in their political correctness and self righteousness, judgmental only when it is convenient, which is why we still dance to Michael Jackson, but banish Louis C.K. And everyone is the west is sort of mesmerized with eastern philosophies, which mostly means yoga and Gandhi stickers. But still…Weiner’s stargazing adoring heroworshipping of Gandhi, while (kudos for) acknowledging, but then (no kudos) completely glossing over his faults, hit a wrong note with me. But other than that, this book was aces. It would be a terrific introduction to someone completely new to the subject and a lively refresher for those familiar with it. It’s engaging, fun, very readable, it has travelogue elements (which this armchair always loves), clever (and dare we say wise) personal observations and so on. It’s basically like travelling and talking about a fascinating subject with a smart, erudite, funny person. All you’d want in a nonfiction book, really. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley. ...more

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Apr 21, 2020 Mariella Bogdanova rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

As a person who has never been too fascinated with philosophy, I was surprised to find this book really good. The author travels to places connected somehow with some of the greatest minds ever living and, in the meantime, shares his personal thoughts and background on some major topics. To me it was definitely a very enriching journey as I learnt so many things that I may have once heard of but which were never organized in my mind. In other words, we all know who Marc Aurelius, or Epicurus, or ...more

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Oct 02, 2020 Lorinda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I loved this book! I have been married to a philosopher for 56 years. I have read a few philosophy books over the years and this is by far the best one for me. Each philosopher is assigned a time period of the day from Marcus Aurelius at dawn to Montaigne at the end. Each of the 14 chapters has an action word associated with the philosopher. This turns the reader into a potential agent of change.

Each chapter begins with a short reference to the author's train travel: from the F train in New York ...more

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Feb 12, 2021 Gheed El Bizri rated it it was amazing

We die because we are alive.

The Socrates Express by Eric Weiner is one lucky charm. It is a book I read with contemplation, pleasure and delight. And it is a book I’ll reread with the same attitude.

If I could have a conversation with a dead philosopher, I would choose Socrates without any hesitation. All that I’ve ever felt, ever wondered and ever thought of shiver their way into me every time I think of Socrates. With that being said, I felt deeply connected to the chapter “How to Wonder like ...more

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Feb 13, 2021 Sebastian Gebski rated it really liked it

Not precisely what I've expected, because I didn't even check the ToC before reading :)

It's a practical book about renowned philosophers, but it doesn't present full doctrines, neither focuses on classics only. The concept is different, for each chapter the author picks up a topic, a 'dead philosopher', and elaborates on how that particular individual approached the topic.

Topics are very universal (like aging, death, enjoyment), but there are few unobvious ones as well (walking or getting out of ...more

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Sep 14, 2020 Gary Anderson rated it it was amazing

My formal study of philosophy and philosophers began and ended with an undergraduate Intro to Philosophy course. What did I retain from that semester? Mostly, as Hamlet would say, “Words, words, words.” On the first day, the professor said that he refused to apologize for his vocabulary. Then he proceeded to use words I didn’t know but scurried to look up. (I had, after all, received a dictionary among my high school graduation gifts.) They included dichotomy, vituperative, and vicissitudes. His My formal study of philosophy and philosophers began and ended with an undergraduate Intro to Philosophy course. What did I retain from that semester? Mostly, as Hamlet would say, “Words, words, words.” On the first day, the professor said that he refused to apologize for his vocabulary. Then he proceeded to use words I didn’t know but scurried to look up. (I had, after all, received a dictionary among my high school graduation gifts.) They included dichotomy, vituperative, and vicissitudes. His refusal to apologize for his lexicon also apparently extended to profanity because he swore like a pirate on fire. I didn’t learn any new words from this vocabulary vein, although he made them seem somehow more profound than what I was used to. But what about philosophy? Well, I came away with a vague understanding that Philosopher X believed one thing while Philosopher Y believed exactly the opposite. Philosophy as a field of study seemed to include a dozen or so of these paradoxes, and that was about it.

And then, 45 years later, along comes Eric Weiner’s new book The Socrates Express: In Search of LIfe Lessons from Dead Philosophers. Weiner presents fourteen philosophers and their ponderings in a rhetorical context that worked perfectly for me by wrapping the concepts in appealing narratives, his own and the philosophers’. In preparing the book, Weiner traveled by train to locales pertinent to each philosopher, and the travel details added more points of entry to each philosopher. (Although I was already familiar with Weiner’s work, I first heard about this book when he was interviewed by Rick Steves on the “Travel with Rick Steves” podcast.)

Is this a book to offer to young readers? My answer is a qualified Yes. I’ve had any number of students enjoy Weiner’s The Geography of Genius, and I’m sure there are one or two readers in each class who would love The Socrates Express because of its humor and accessibility.

So what did I retain about philosophy from reading The Socrates Express? It’s probably too soon to tell, but it will be a lot more than what soaked in from my long-ago Intro to Philosophy class. One thing I know for sure is that if Eric Weiner is ever back in the Chicago area, I’d like to take him up to Woodstock, Illinois to visit the various sites used in filming Groundhog Day. ...more

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Sep 29, 2020 Ben Rogers rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Solid book.

Great conversational tone and topical, high level view of lots of philosophers.

I would recommend reading the original source materials (the leading books from each of them). I've read most of them and I like to delve into the full teachings.

Would recommend to people who like trains too (I don't care about them, but I know there's a big Reddit community of train people), as the whole book situated around train rides.

3.9/5 ...more

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Oct 14, 2020 Dide rated it it was amazing

When i hear philosophy i liken it to overthinkers and debaters...sure my philosophical sister has a lot to do with that association. But this book...this book is a journey through the eyes of Weiner's eyes, his views as well as academic ones on a series of great and past philosophers who influence humanity to date.
The author is funny, the audio book has intermissions of train hoots which really adds images to the book as you listen. Some of these philosophers i have read or have had one form of ...more

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Oct 06, 2020 David Hill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is an excellent book best read slowly..The author has packed a lot in there to ponder and imagine..Really well done.

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Aug 24, 2020 Angie Boyter rated it really liked it

Shelves: sunday-philosophers-possibilities, netgalley

A very personal tour through life with famous philosophers as guides
In The Socrates Express author Eric Weiner explores life and the world from the vantage point of a train, his preferred mode of travel. Each of the fourteen chapters visits a particular aspect of life with a different philosopher as guide. We learn how to get out of bed like Marcus Aurelius, how to fight like Gandhi, how to appreciate the small things like Sei Shonagon (the only one of our guides I had not heard of), and so on u A very personal tour through life with famous philosophers as guides
In The Socrates Express author Eric Weiner explores life and the world from the vantage point of a train, his preferred mode of travel. Each of the fourteen chapters visits a particular aspect of life with a different philosopher as guide. We learn how to get out of bed like Marcus Aurelius, how to fight like Gandhi, how to appreciate the small things like Sei Shonagon (the only one of our guides I had not heard of), and so on until finally we learn how to die like Montaigne. This IS an express train, so each leg of the journey is fairly short, but, like the best journeys, there is a lot to enjoy along the way.
It is also a personal journey, and Weiner makes clear, not just what the philosophers have to say but why he was attracted to the thinking (or disagreed with it!) and what insights he came away with. It is philosophy for an interested general reader, so he devotes a fair amount of time to each philosopher’s life and the background of the school of thought to which he (or she. There are three women philosophers included.) belonged. As someone who is rather results-oriented (The Bhagavad Gita so beloved by Gandhi would not be a book I would easily relate to.), I sometimes found myself impatient to cut to the chase and focus in on the specific topic of the chapter more quickly, but the context provided was very appropriate and many of the biographical details fascinating.
One of the problems with a lot of philosophy is that the writing is abstruse and ponderous. Weiner has done the heavy lifting for his readers, though, and his writing is pithy and enjoyable. This is definitely a book to read on Kindle, because you will want to highlight beautifully phrased passages. Most of these are Weiner’s own words, but there are also unforgettable quotes from the philosophers, like Cicero’s observation that “ Everyone hopes to reach old age, but when it comes, most of us complain about it.”
I enjoyed learning more about these famous thinkers, but Weiner says that his life’s work is “therapeutic travel”, and he talks a good bit about what the philosophers’ thoughts meant for him personally. Not all of the philosophers spoke to me as they did to him, but there were definitely a number who seemed like great traveling companions, and I would not mind taking another trip with them.
...more

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Sep 12, 2020 Cathy Hodge rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Absolutely delightful train journey to different places and times, to explore the lives and thoughts of philosophers. Eric Weiner uses his amazing Storytelling ability to visit the lives of these diverse philosophers in their hometowns. We also get anecdotes about the authors personal applications of the philosophic "Big Ideas." This book's Lessons are accessible and easy to read. Enjoy. ...more

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Nov 28, 2020 Carolyn rated it really liked it

I came upon this book by accident. I was waiting for a certain audiobook on hold to become available and I needed something to read in the meantime. This was available and so it ended up in my hands. I have lived a life without a deep exposure to philosophy; sure I knew a little about Socrates, Thoreau, Nietzsche and Gandhi. This book came to me at the right time: blame it on Covid-19 or my age or the current simplicity of my life- it resonated with me. This part memoir, part travelogue and Wei ...more

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Feb 10, 2021 Jacob added it

Eric Weiner's railway-heavy personal survey of philosophers was breezy and self-reflective. He flattens and softens some of the philosophers in an effort to squeeze them into relatively short chapters, but to be honest, this sort of long-form personal essays dealing with one particular subject has a certain effect on me. A chill way to dip into some famous philosophers, but by no means a substitute for reading their writings, or at least their wikipedia pages.

Covers the following philosophers ch ...more

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Sep 20, 2020 Robert Stevens rated it really liked it

I quite enjoyed this book, which comes as no surprise because I love his three other books, especially his first two. To me, this book is part travelogue, part memoir, and part introduction to the philosophers and their beliefs. You learn a little bit about the places he goes, the philosophers themselves, and the journey (life’s journey and his journey with his daughter). This book does not provide in depth looks at the philosophers and their respective philosophies, but an express trip through I quite enjoyed this book, which comes as no surprise because I love his three other books, especially his first two. To me, this book is part travelogue, part memoir, and part introduction to the philosophers and their beliefs. You learn a little bit about the places he goes, the philosophers themselves, and the journey (life’s journey and his journey with his daughter). This book does not provide in depth looks at the philosophers and their respective philosophies, but an express trip through philosophy that can lead you to explore further what you find interesting by further reading of the philosophers themselves. I know I am going to look more into Schopenhauer as he was unknown to me prior to reading this book. I also want to revisit Beauvoir, Rousseau, and Thoreau from earlier years.

This book also reaffirmed my need to walk in order to think and to grow as something that I do not do as much as I’d like or even used to do given how busy I am, but it is okay to slow down, reflect on life’s meaning and everything in it. I love the train thoughts that started each chapter and his approach to writing each essay.

For me, the strongest chapters are as follows: How To Walk Like Rousseau, How To See Like Thoreau, How To Listen Like Schopenhauer, How To Pay Attention Like Simone Weil, and How To Grow Old Like Beauvoir.

Quotes:

“Philosophy, Plato suggests, enables us to
escape the world of shadows and discovers its source: the light. We don’t always see the light. Sometimes we hear it.”

“Life is happiest when we perceive it least.” - Schopenhauer

“Sadness by itself isn’t painful. It is sadness about something that hurts.”

“Less invested in the drama, we experience the emotion itself, unmoored, and can appreciate the beauty in sadness.”

“Mental noise does more than disturbs. It masks.”

“Giving someone your time but not your attention is the cruelest fraud all.”

“It takes time to soften hearts. Progress isn’t Always visible to the naked eye.” ...more

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Sep 07, 2020 Cara rated it it was amazing

I've read all of Eric's books, and this one is just as enthralling, humorous, engaging and insightful as Geography of Bliss, Geography of Genius and Man Seeks God. I've always had a layperson interest in philosophy, but considering our mass collective self-isolating and quarantined existence of late -- along with all the death, loss, anxiety, fear and existential questions of this COVID time, this book is quite apropos for the times. It does not only deliver due to its timeliness in digging into ...more

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Oct 27, 2020 Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance rated it liked it

Shelves: humor, nonfiction, travel, philosophy

Eric Weiner travels by train to sites where the great philosophers formulated their ideas and shares the life lessons of each that he discovers on his pilgrimages. Which philosophers does he explore? Marcus Aurelius, Socrates, Rousseau, Thoreau, Schopenhauer, Epicurus, Simone Weil, Gandhi, Confucius, Sei Shonagon, Nietzsche, Epictetus, Beauvoir, and Montaigne. What new things did I learn? Stoics aren't really stoic and Epicureans aren't really obsessed with pleasure. Nietzsche's thoughts were us ...more

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Feb 18, 2021 Priscilla Carina rated it it was amazing

My first big dive into philosophy - an eye-opening experience! Everyone that is interested in philosophy should give this one a try. Eric Weiner's writing style fits very much with the topic at hand. You start this journey at dawn and end it at dusk, whilst meeting philosophers you might have known from their grand names but also those who might not be that well known I dare to say. Especially four philosophers caught my attention: Epicurus, Gandhi, Sei Shonagon, and Simone de Beavoir. People, m ...more

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Sep 03, 2020 Chrystal rated it really liked it

I loved the personal feel that this books presents from the very beginning. I have always thoroughly enjoyed learning about philosophers and schools of learning. (I’m a research Professor, so it comes with the territory). However, this book presented them as sort of “neighbors next door” kind of people and I really enjoyed the human element this brought into these historic figures. This was a wonderful change of pace from my normal reading and I truly enjoyed it.

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Sep 28, 2020 Jen Loong rated it really liked it

This one took much longer to read surprisingly...

Delightful travelogue, mixed with biographies of philosophers, mixed with anthropology accounts and historical stories

Chapters on Simone Weil and Ghandi were particularly memorable, even though you always learn smth from stories from the Antiquities

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Nov 21, 2020 Krissy rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-my-30s, nonfic, library

I don’t have a strong interest in philosophy. I do have a preference for history and people. Weiner as one of my favorite authors is always an easy choice to pick up. He writes with amusing clarity.

My favorite section in this book was the reflections on Shonagon. “She knew our lives are nothing more or less than the sum of a million tiny joys.” That stuck with me enough to jot it down.

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Jan 22, 2021 Harte Reads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, tbr-owned

Weiner discusses the theories of several philosophers so it a great overview of philosophy. But more importantly, Weiner illustrates how these ideas can be food for the soul and a path to a rich life filled with meaning.

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Sep 05, 2020 Chris Boutté rated it it was amazing

I’ve read a lot of books breaking down different philosophers, but this is one of the best.

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Oct 28, 2020 Diane rated it it was amazing

I haven’t had this much fun reading a book in years!

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Dec 27, 2020 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Perfectly in my wheelhouse. Lots of memorable quotes, some laughs and of course I learned a lot. My favourite non fiction recipe.

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Mar 03, 2021 syifa juliawan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If you are new to philosophy and doesn’t want Nietzsche to cause you headache, this book is for you.

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Dec 20, 2020 Rick Wilson rated it liked it

Mostly charming attempt at making philosophy approachable to modern readers. Felt a bit overdone

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Nov 13, 2020 Sheri Hazeltine rated it it was amazing

Loved this book, especially Eric Weiner’s sense of humor.

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Sep 06, 2020 Nazila Fathi rated it it was amazing

I loved this book. Eric Weiner is a great storyteller and with a sense of humor, he distills the wisdom of philosophers all the way from Socrates, to Rousseau, Gandhi, de Beauvoir, and even to Confucius. He makes philosophy understandable and fun and raises serious questions about the realities of our modern life. I highly recommend this book.

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Sep 19, 2020 Jack Hicks rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Socrates Express, The Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers
Eric Weiner, 2020
We live in a world of constant face-paced news, access to overwhelming reams of information, a world of catastrophes that ricochet around the world, a world of outrageous omnipresent politicians bombarding us with non-stop propaganda, a world where sanity seems to have evaporated. How to make sense of such a world? What is our place and how should we live our lives in such an environment? Human history has al The Socrates Express, The Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers
Eric Weiner, 2020
We live in a world of constant face-paced news, access to overwhelming reams of information, a world of catastrophes that ricochet around the world, a world of outrageous omnipresent politicians bombarding us with non-stop propaganda, a world where sanity seems to have evaporated. How to make sense of such a world? What is our place and how should we live our lives in such an environment? Human history has always been rife with conflict, wars, injustice, and deprivation yet some have found a way to explain truth, to live meaningful lives regardless of the tumult and insanity around them. Eric Weiner in this book takes us on a personal journey, in particular world train journeys, in the company of the world’s great philosophers. He divides his book into three sections of philosophical advice which correspond to the periods of the day and refer to the periods of a human life; Dawn, Noon, Dusk.
We depart on our Amtrac train ride with Eric and he immediately chides us: “With a swipe of a finger, we can access all human knowledge: from ancient Egypt to quantum physics. We gobble it up, but we are still hungry. What is this hunger that cannot be sated? We don’t want what we think we want. We gobble it up, but still we are hungry. We think we want information and knowledge. We do not. We want wisdom. Knowledge is something you possess. Wisdom is something you do. It is a skill and like all skills one can learn. But it requires effort. Expecting to acquire wisdom by luck is like expecting to play the violin by luck”. How can one acquire wisdom? Socrates tried to answer that question over 2500 years ago: “the unexamined life is a life not worth living”. Question your assumptions, the assumptions of your culture. “What does success look like? Why do I want to be successful? How much success is enough? Many of us, probably most of us, don’t ask these questions but just accept what our culture seems to imply success is: acquiring stuff and riches, attaining high or lauded positions. What is “the pursuit of happiness” enshrined in our constitution? Can happiness be pursued? John Stuart Mill articulating the Pleasure Paradox stated: “The more we try to seize happiness the more it slips from our grasp. Happiness is a by-product, never an objective. It is an unexpected windfall of a life lived well”. Never something to be pursued.
Next stop we are on board the Deutshe Bahn train from Hamburg to Frankfurt to make acquaintance with the 19th century German philosopher Schopenhauer. “Schopenhauer was an idealist. In the philosophical sense, an idealist is not someone with high ideals. It is someone who believes that everything we experience is a mental representation of the world, not the world itself. Physical objects only exist when we perceive them. The world is my idea”. “Everyday, we go about our lives, we experience this mentally constructed, or phenomenal world. It is real- the way the surface of a lake is real. But just as the glassy surface isn’t the whole lake, the phenomenal world represents only a fraction of reality. It fails to account for the depths”. Schopenhauer posited the existence of a force called the “Will” which suffused all animals and humans. “Something like gravity but not as benign”: “It’s desires are unlimited, its claims inexhaustible, and every desire gives birth to a new one. No possible satisfaction in the world could suffice to still its craving, set a final goal to its demands, and fill the bottomless pit of its heart”. Is this the path humankind is now on as we ravenously consume the finite resources of the earth and endanger the very ecosystem upon which our survival depends? The Author equates the internet with Schopenhauer’s “Will”. “Like the Will, the internet is omnipresent, and purposeless. It is always striving, never sated. It devours everything, including our most precious resource: time. It offers the illusion of happiness but delivers only suffering”.
We are in route to Napa Valley withThe ancient philosopher, Epicurious: Most people equate him with the term “Epicurian” or a lover of fine food and drink but that would be a mischaracterization. Epicurious was not about expensive gourmet food, gluttony or hedonistic pleasure. Here is the real Epicurious: “ I find full pleasure in the body when I live on bread and water and I spit upon the pleasures of plush living not for their own account, but for the discomforts that follow them”. This passage seeming to capture the spirit of Epicurious: “What exactly are the discomforts that follow, say, a five-course meal at the French Laundry? Epicurious is speaking of physical sensations- indigestion, a hangover- but mostly about another more insidious kind of pain: the pain of not having. You enjoyed the Pacific Wild King Salmon Terrine- the pleasure was real- but now it is gone, and you crave it again. You have outsourced your happiness to the Salmon-Terrine – and to the fisherman that caught it, the restaurant that serves it, the boss who cuts your paycheck so you can afford it. You are now a Salmon-Terrine junkie, your happiness dependent on regular hits of the stuff. All because you have mistaken an unnecessary desire for a necessary one”.
Next we are on the Amtrak train from Washington DC to Montana to spend a week at a camp for Stoics. We are into The Roman Emperors Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations and the Greek philosopher Epictetus’ Handbook. The core teaching of Stoicism is “change what you can, accept what you can’t”, in adversity lies strength and growth”. Roman Senator, Stoic Seneca wrote “No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless many winds assail it. For by its very tossing it tightens its grip and plants roots more securely… disaster is virtues opportunity”. Stoicism while emphasizing that much lies beyond our control gives individuals control over what matters most: their minds and emotions. “Much of life lies beyond our control, but we command what matters most: our opinions, impulses, desires and aversions, our mental and emotional life. We possess Herculean strength, superhero powers. We have the power to master our interior world”. Gandhi said: “Nobody can harm me without my permission”. Epictetus said: “Even the threat of torture at the hands of a tyrant needn’t rob you of your tranquility and nobility”. “What upsets people is not things, themselves but their judgements about things”. And then there is this gem: “Nothing is ours, not even our bodies. We always rent, never own. If there is nothing to lose there is nothing to fear losing.” Stoicism is also deeply spiritual: “The cosmos is infused with a divine but wholly rational intelligence. Every time we act rationally, we shake hands with the divine. To act rationally is to act in harmony with the cosmos”.
The last chapter of the book concerns death. We are on board the TGF train from Paris to St. Emilion to visit the home of Montaigne, sixteenth century French philosopher. He said: “Death is the condition of your creation, It is part of you. You are fleeing from your own selves”. “Driving our dread of death is not only fear but greed. We want more days, more years, and when against all odds we receive those, we want more still. Why? Montaigne wondered. If you have lived one day you have lived them all. “There is no other light, no other night. This sun, this moon, these stars, the way they are arranged, all these are the same your ancestors enjoyed and will entertain your grandchildren”. The author tells a story of a dying relative in a hospital hooked up to all sorts of screens, pumps and computerized devices. Everyone knew the ultimate outcome but seemed to be unwilling to accept it. Montaigne would not approve. “You must accept death to accept life”.
This book is not some tome of abstract philosophical thoughts but a journey both physical, mental and spiritual to discover the great thinkers of all time, apply their teaching to our world as it is now, and to search for that timeless concept of wisdom. The author is a very good traveling companion, never boring, always giving his personal insights into the thoughts and musings of these greatest of human minds. Are you on a journey to acquire wisdom and attain a life worth living? This book might just be your travel guide. JACK
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About Eric Weiner

Eric Weiner

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Eric Weiner is best-selling author of such books as THE GEOGRAPHY OF BLISS, THE GEOGRAPHY OF GENIUS and the just-released THE SOCRATES EXPRESS.

His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. A number of high schools and universities have incorporated them into their curricula. Weiner is the recipient of the Borders Original Voices Award, and a finalist for the Barnes & Noble Discover ...more

Books by Eric Weiner

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World

The Geography of Genius: A Search for the World's Most Creative Places from Ancient Athens to Silicon Valley

Man Seeks God: My Flirtations with the Divine

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“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.” — 2 likes

“Set clear goals and channel all your energies into reaching them, the self-help books advise. This approach assumes we’ve identified our destination before beginning our journey. Life doesn’t work that way. Sometimes you don’t know where you’re going until you start moving. So move. Start where you are. Make a single brushstroke and see where it leads.” — 2 likes

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