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The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers
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 to see the world from a different perspective, to unearth hidden beauty, and to find new ways of being. We want to learn how to embrace wonder. Face regrets. Sustain hope.
Eric Weiner combines his twin passions for philosophy and global travel in a pilgrimage that uncovers surprising life lessons from great thinkers around the world, from Rousseau to Nietzsche, Confucius to Simone Weil. Traveling by train (the most thoughtful mode of transport), he journeys thousands of miles, making stops in Athens, Delhi, Wyoming, Coney Island, Frankfurt, and points in between to reconnect with philosophy’s original teaching us how to lead wiser, more meaningful lives. From Socrates and ancient Athens to Simone de Beauvoir and twentieth-century Paris, Weiner’s chosen philosophers and places provide important signposts as we navigate today’s chaotic times.
In The Socrates Express , Weiner invites us to voyage alongside him on his life-changing pursuit of wisdom and discovery as he attempts to find answers to our most vital questions.
We turn to philosophy for the same reasons we to see the world from a different perspective, to unearth hidden beauty, and to find new ways of being. We want to learn how to embrace wonder. Face regrets. Sustain hope.
Eric Weiner combines his twin passions for philosophy and global travel in a pilgrimage that uncovers surprising life lessons from great thinkers around the world, from Rousseau to Nietzsche, Confucius to Simone Weil. Traveling by train (the most thoughtful mode of transport), he journeys thousands of miles, making stops in Athens, Delhi, Wyoming, Coney Island, Frankfurt, and points in between to reconnect with philosophy’s original teaching us how to lead wiser, more meaningful lives. From Socrates and ancient Athens to Simone de Beauvoir and twentieth-century Paris, Weiner’s chosen philosophers and places provide important signposts as we navigate today’s chaotic times.
In The Socrates Express , Weiner invites us to voyage alongside him on his life-changing pursuit of wisdom and discovery as he attempts to find answers to our most vital questions.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
1351 people are currently reading
11536 people want to read
About the author
Eric Weiner
5 books766 followersEric Weiner is best-selling author of such books as THE GEOGRAPHY OF BLISS, THE GEOGRAPHY OF GENIUS, MAN SEEKS GOD and THE SOCRATES EXPRESS. His latest book, BEN & ME, is out now.
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 Award.
As a long-time foreign correspondent for NPR, Eric reported from more than 30 nations, from Iraq to Indonesia, covering some of the major international events of recent times.
The Wall Street Journal said of Eric: "There are some writers whose company is worth keeping, whatever the subject… And Mr. Weiner is blessed with this gift. He is a prober and questioner, a big-hearted humanist..."
Eric is a regular contributor to The Washington Post and AFAR magazine. His work also appears in The Los Angeles Times, and other publications, as well as on the BBC and NPR’s Morning Edition. He is a popular speaker and lecturer.
When not writing, or thinking about writing, Eric is an avid cyclist and consumer of sushi (Tekka maki, in particular). He lives in in the Washington, DC area, with his wife and daughter and a menageries of rambunctious animals.
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 Award.
As a long-time foreign correspondent for NPR, Eric reported from more than 30 nations, from Iraq to Indonesia, covering some of the major international events of recent times.
The Wall Street Journal said of Eric: "There are some writers whose company is worth keeping, whatever the subject… And Mr. Weiner is blessed with this gift. He is a prober and questioner, a big-hearted humanist..."
Eric is a regular contributor to The Washington Post and AFAR magazine. His work also appears in The Los Angeles Times, and other publications, as well as on the BBC and NPR’s Morning Edition. He is a popular speaker and lecturer.
When not writing, or thinking about writing, Eric is an avid cyclist and consumer of sushi (Tekka maki, in particular). He lives in in the Washington, DC area, with his wife and daughter and a menageries of rambunctious animals.
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March 18, 2020
Концепцията не се е променила много – в “География на блаженството” Уайнър обикаляше из нарочените за “щастливи” места по света, за да проучи и осмисли различните концепции за щастието. Тук той отново е на път, само че по стъпките на най-големите мислители в историята.
Отначало се подразвам – отново този твърде познат, твърде американски и твърде туристически подход към нещата. Но с напредване на четенето се успокоявам и дори си прекарвам приятно в компанията на симпатичния невротик Уайнър и неговите философи. Това, което безспорно му печели точки (в моите очи) е, че се придвижва до избраните места с влак – японския шинкасе, френския тежеве, американския амтрак, и швейцарски, на когото не споменава името, но който при всички положения е хубав.
Любовта към влаковете и склонността към философстване, както демонстрира авторът, имат общи корени. И двете са по-бавен и осъзнат начин за придвижване в пространството и в живота. Крият старомодно очарование. Дават възможност за наблюдение на реалността от друг ъгъл.
“География на мъдростта” представя 14 мислители, всеки един от тях разгледан през определен аспект на живеенето – “как да ходим като Русо”, “как да ценим малките неща като Сей Шонагон”, “как да се справяме като Епиктет”. Това е един практичен пантеон от философи, разнообразен като боговете на Олимп, като сред тях откриваме мрачният Шопенхауер, който обичал пудела си повече от хората, натуралистът Русо, познат още и като професионален пешеходец, доброволно изолираният Хенри Дейвид Торо, или иначе казано – човекът от колибата. Не можем да минем и без демоните на Ницше и борбения Ганди, без добротата на Конфуций и взискателните стоици. Голям плюс за мен е включването на Симон дьо Бовоар за сметка на Сартр. Бовоар често е по-пренебрегваният от двамата екзситенциалисти, сигурно защото е повече романист от философ, за сметка на Сартр, който е повече философ, отколкото романист.
Да приземиш текстове и концепции, които в голямата си част са недостъпни и неразбираеми за широката публика, като им придадеш делничен аспект и ги сведеш до практическо ръководство за употреба, е смело, оригинално и много трудно. Има хора, които може би ще протестират срещу такъв подход, ще обвинят автора в профанизиране, но аз мисля, че подобни книги в крайна сметка правят две неща: или ще накарат по-любопитния читател да прочете първоизточниците, което е чудесно, или ще го разколебаят окончателно и няма да ги прочете, което пак е нещо. Вероятно втората група не би ги прочела така или иначе. Така че, по-добре вторичен досег с философията отколкото никакъв.
От всяка разгледана философска школа Уайнър изкарва ценното, смисленото, дори практичното. Всяка глава започва с едно пътуване с влак, описва посещение на град или място, свързано с въпросния философ, съдържа личните случки и размисли на автора, които по много приятен и плавен начин са осмислени през концепциите на съответния мислител. Като изповядва личната си проблематика, за която търси лек в универсалните идеи, Уайнър не сваля, а издига философията до нейното предназначение – как да живеем добре. Философията е нужна не само, когато търсим отговорите на големите въпроси – как да обичаме, как да стареем, как да се справяме с живота, но и на малките - как да не се дразним на киселата служителка зад гишето или как да не страдаме за изгубена вещ (тука стоиците биха казали – “загубил си я, защото си я имал”).
В крайна сметка за какво е цялата тази абстракция, тези интелектуални напъни, ако не ги използваме, за да живеем мъдро, автентично, смислено, пита Уайнър. Ако философията не се превърне в лично преживяне, ще си остане лабораторен конструкт, пожълтял папирус в някоя университетска библиотека.
Гигантите са изтупани от прахта, идеите им са освежени с едно хубаво пролетно почистване, за да можем днес, ние, хората от 2020 година, все още много объркани, потиснати и тревожни (въпреки доставките на суши по домовете и робота-прахосмукачка) да намерим малко смисъл и мъдрост от тези, които някак си са знаели как днешните хора ще се чувстваме.
Отначало се подразвам – отново този твърде познат, твърде американски и твърде туристически подход към нещата. Но с напредване на четенето се успокоявам и дори си прекарвам приятно в компанията на симпатичния невротик Уайнър и неговите философи. Това, което безспорно му печели точки (в моите очи) е, че се придвижва до избраните места с влак – японския шинкасе, френския тежеве, американския амтрак, и швейцарски, на когото не споменава името, но който при всички положения е хубав.
Любовта към влаковете и склонността към философстване, както демонстрира авторът, имат общи корени. И двете са по-бавен и осъзнат начин за придвижване в пространството и в живота. Крият старомодно очарование. Дават възможност за наблюдение на реалността от друг ъгъл.
“География на мъдростта” представя 14 мислители, всеки един от тях разгледан през определен аспект на живеенето – “как да ходим като Русо”, “как да ценим малките неща като Сей Шонагон”, “как да се справяме като Епиктет”. Това е един практичен пантеон от философи, разнообразен като боговете на Олимп, като сред тях откриваме мрачният Шопенхауер, който обичал пудела си повече от хората, натуралистът Русо, познат още и като професионален пешеходец, доброволно изолираният Хенри Дейвид Торо, или иначе казано – човекът от колибата. Не можем да минем и без демоните на Ницше и борбения Ганди, без добротата на Конфуций и взискателните стоици. Голям плюс за мен е включването на Симон дьо Бовоар за сметка на Сартр. Бовоар често е по-пренебрегваният от двамата екзситенциалисти, сигурно защото е повече романист от философ, за сметка на Сартр, който е повече философ, отколкото романист.
Да приземиш текстове и концепции, които в голямата си част са недостъпни и неразбираеми за широката публика, като им придадеш делничен аспект и ги сведеш до практическо ръководство за употреба, е смело, оригинално и много трудно. Има хора, които може би ще протестират срещу такъв подход, ще обвинят автора в профанизиране, но аз мисля, че подобни книги в крайна сметка правят две неща: или ще накарат по-любопитния читател да прочете първоизточниците, което е чудесно, или ще го разколебаят окончателно и няма да ги прочете, което пак е нещо. Вероятно втората група не би ги прочела така или иначе. Така че, по-добре вторичен досег с философията отколкото никакъв.
От всяка разгледана философска школа Уайнър изкарва ценното, смисленото, дори практичното. Всяка глава започва с едно пътуване с влак, описва посещение на град или място, свързано с въпросния философ, съдържа личните случки и размисли на автора, които по много приятен и плавен начин са осмислени през концепциите на съответния мислител. Като изповядва личната си проблематика, за която търси лек в универсалните идеи, Уайнър не сваля, а издига философията до нейното предназначение – как да живеем добре. Философията е нужна не само, когато търсим отговорите на големите въпроси – как да обичаме, как да стареем, как да се справяме с живота, но и на малките - как да не се дразним на киселата служителка зад гишето или как да не страдаме за изгубена вещ (тука стоиците биха казали – “загубил си я, защото си я имал”).
В крайна сметка за какво е цялата тази абстракция, тези интелектуални напъни, ако не ги използваме, за да живеем мъдро, автентично, смислено, пита Уайнър. Ако философията не се превърне в лично преживяне, ще си остане лабораторен конструкт, пожълтял папирус в някоя университетска библиотека.
Гигантите са изтупани от прахта, идеите им са освежени с едно хубаво пролетно почистване, за да можем днес, ние, хората от 2020 година, все още много объркани, потиснати и тревожни (въпреки доставките на суши по домовете и робота-прахосмукачка) да намерим малко смисъл и мъдрост от тези, които някак си са знаели как днешните хора ще се чувстваме.
September 5, 2020
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.
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.
May 12, 2023
اریک وینر نویسنده و سخنران آمریکایی ایست .او در زمینه های مختلفی مانند موفقیت شخصی ، روابط ، شادی و موضوعات دیگر سخنرانی های متعددی داشته و کتاب های مختلفی را هم نوشته است . وینررا به عنوان فردی فعال و موثر در حوزه توسعه فردی و رشد شخصی می شناسند . وینر به فلسفه سخت علاقه مند است ، تا جایی که خود را یک مسافر فلسفی می داند ، او هم همانند نشر گمان کوشیده است تا مسائل فلسفی را از حالت خشک و دانش صرف بیرون کشیده و به آن حالتی مانند حکمت یعنی مهارت ، مهارتی که می شود آن را آموخت بدهد . از نگاه او دانش آگاهی می دهد و حکمت بصیرت . وینر فلسفه را دانش نمی داند ، بلکه شیوه تفکر - شیوه بودن در دنیا یا همان چگونگی و نه چیستی و چرایی می داند .
او در کتاب سقراط اکسپرس هم کوشیده تا کاربردهای عملی فلسفه و اندیشه های فلاسفه مختلف را در زندگی روزمره به کار گرفته و این گونه به زندگی روزمره شادی ، غِنا و اصالت ببخشد. وینر تلاش کرده تا خواننده را به یافتن هدف و جهتی برای زندگی تشویق کند . او برای این کار چهارده فیلسوف انتخاب کرده و مفاهیم مختلفی را از نگاه این چهارده فیلسوف بررسی کرده است . یازده فیلسوف کتاب او غربی و سه فرد دیگر تعلق به فلسفه شرق دارند . شاید وینر این گونه کوشیده تا کتاب او جهان شمول و هم شامل فلسفه غرب و هم فلسفه شرق باشد .
چهارده فصل کتاب او عبارتند از چطور همچون مارکوس آئورلیوس از رختخواب برخیزیم، چطور مثل سقراط حیرت کنیم، چطور مثل روسو راه برویم، چطور مثل ثورو ببینیم، چطور مثل شوپنهاور گوش بسپاریم، چطور مثل اپیکور لذت ببریم، چطور مثل سیمون وی توجه داشته باشیم، چطور مثل گاندی مبارزه کنیم، چطور مثل کنفوسیوس مهربان باشیم، چطور مثل سی شوناگون قدر چیزهای کوچک را بدانیم، چطور مثل نیچه حسرت و افسوس نداشته باشیم، چطور مثل اپیکتتوس گلیم خود را از آب بیرون بکشیم، چطور مثل سیمون دوبووار پا به سن بگذاریم وچطور مثل مونتنی بمیریم . هر فصل کتاب وینر هم زندگی نامه فیلسوف است و هم شرحی بسیارمختصر از آرا و اندیشه های او که البته نویسنده به گونه ای آنها را با هدف هر فصل مرتبط ساخته .
در پایان کتاب وینر تلاش کرده تا با آنچه از چهارده فیلسوف آموخته بر مشکل و چالشی که برای او پیش آمده غلبه کرده و یا به تفسیری متفاوت دست پیدا کند . به داوری او اگر فلسفه نتواند در حل و فصل این نیمچه بحران یار و یاورش باشد پس به چه دردی می خورد ؟ او برای درکی متفاوت ، از نگاه سقراط ، اپیکور ، شوناگون ، ثورو و نیچه به مشکل نگریسته و قضیه را به گونه ای دیگر می بیند . سرانجام هم راضی و خوشحال راهی خانه می شود !
با وجود اینکه کتاب «سقراط اکسپرس» تلاش کرده تا دیدگاه�� منحصر به فرد درباره کاربرد فلسفه در زندگی روزمره ارائه دهد، اما نوشتار سطحی و کم عمق آن به همراه بیان ساده و کلام شوخ نویسنده ممکن است باعث آزردگی خواننده شود . با این حال می توان تلاش وینر را برای نوشتن کتابی در مورد فلسفه آسان ، قابل فهم ونسبتا جامع تقدیر کرد.
او در کتاب سقراط اکسپرس هم کوشیده تا کاربردهای عملی فلسفه و اندیشه های فلاسفه مختلف را در زندگی روزمره به کار گرفته و این گونه به زندگی روزمره شادی ، غِنا و اصالت ببخشد. وینر تلاش کرده تا خواننده را به یافتن هدف و جهتی برای زندگی تشویق کند . او برای این کار چهارده فیلسوف انتخاب کرده و مفاهیم مختلفی را از نگاه این چهارده فیلسوف بررسی کرده است . یازده فیلسوف کتاب او غربی و سه فرد دیگر تعلق به فلسفه شرق دارند . شاید وینر این گونه کوشیده تا کتاب او جهان شمول و هم شامل فلسفه غرب و هم فلسفه شرق باشد .
چهارده فصل کتاب او عبارتند از چطور همچون مارکوس آئورلیوس از رختخواب برخیزیم، چطور مثل سقراط حیرت کنیم، چطور مثل روسو راه برویم، چطور مثل ثورو ببینیم، چطور مثل شوپنهاور گوش بسپاریم، چطور مثل اپیکور لذت ببریم، چطور مثل سیمون وی توجه داشته باشیم، چطور مثل گاندی مبارزه کنیم، چطور مثل کنفوسیوس مهربان باشیم، چطور مثل سی شوناگون قدر چیزهای کوچک را بدانیم، چطور مثل نیچه حسرت و افسوس نداشته باشیم، چطور مثل اپیکتتوس گلیم خود را از آب بیرون بکشیم، چطور مثل سیمون دوبووار پا به سن بگذاریم وچطور مثل مونتنی بمیریم . هر فصل کتاب وینر هم زندگی نامه فیلسوف است و هم شرحی بسیارمختصر از آرا و اندیشه های او که البته نویسنده به گونه ای آنها را با هدف هر فصل مرتبط ساخته .
در پایان کتاب وینر تلاش کرده تا با آنچه از چهارده فیلسوف آموخته بر مشکل و چالشی که برای او پیش آمده غلبه کرده و یا به تفسیری متفاوت دست پیدا کند . به داوری او اگر فلسفه نتواند در حل و فصل این نیمچه بحران یار و یاورش باشد پس به چه دردی می خورد ؟ او برای درکی متفاوت ، از نگاه سقراط ، اپیکور ، شوناگون ، ثورو و نیچه به مشکل نگریسته و قضیه را به گونه ای دیگر می بیند . سرانجام هم راضی و خوشحال راهی خانه می شود !
با وجود اینکه کتاب «سقراط اکسپرس» تلاش کرده تا دیدگاه�� منحصر به فرد درباره کاربرد فلسفه در زندگی روزمره ارائه دهد، اما نوشتار سطحی و کم عمق آن به همراه بیان ساده و کلام شوخ نویسنده ممکن است باعث آزردگی خواننده شود . با این حال می توان تلاش وینر را برای نوشتن کتابی در مورد فلسفه آسان ، قابل فهم ونسبتا جامع تقدیر کرد.
December 17, 2022
ریویو را برای ترجمهی کتاب با فارسیِ شادی نیکرفعت (نشر گمان، چاپ اول: ۱۴۰۱) مینویسم.
در کل توصیه میکنم اگر میخواهید کسی را به خواندن فلسفه تشویق کنید کتاب خوبیست و چه بسا از کتاب واربرتون و دنیای سوفی هم بهتر باشد. دلیل میآورم: اولین چیزی که برای من مهم بود و به چشمم آمد این است که نمیخواهد در فضای داستانی یا تاریخفلسفهای بگوید «خط سیر فلسفه در غرب» چه بوده است، به تعبیری تمام فلسفه را در خطی از پیشاسقراطیان و سقراط تا هگل (از یونان تا رم و بعد رنسانس) ترسیم نمیکند. سیشوناگون و گاندی و در مرکز گذاشتن مونتن از کارهای درجهیک نویسنده است. دوم اینکه دلمشغول «زندگی» است تا «تاریخ فلسفه» یا «تاریخ مفاهیم». این بخش غایب ماجرا بود. همیشه در دور و برم میدیدم جوانانی که روزی در زندگی و روال معمول به تناقضاتی میرسند و میروند سراغ فلسفه پاسخی برای فکروخیالهاشان بیابند و در عوض با تاریخ فلسفه روبرو میشوند. این کتاب اینطور نیست و یکراست میرود سراغ دغدغههای آدمی که هرکدام را در کار فیلسوفی مییابد و میپرورد. سوم اینکه ترجمهی کتاب به دلیل که خواهم آورد معرکه است. فارسیای که راه میدهد هرکس کتاب را عین رمان بخواند و هی جملهها را وارسی نکند دنبال معنی. چهارم اینکه نمیشود چون دلمشغول زندگیست لاجرم قدری از وجوه الاهیاتی ماجرا محو شده و فلسفه به فراخور بخش گیتیانهی زندگی برجسته شده است. این مهم است که فلسفه در ذهن یک نوآموز به چه اعتباری حک میشود.
علاوه بر همه اینها کتاب برای کسی که مدعی فلسفه خواندن باشد هم جذابیت دارد. جاهایی کمتر جاهایی بیشتر. توجه را جلب میکنم که «فرم» نوشتن و «خلاقه» بودن کتاب و اینکه چطور یک غربی میتواند سی شوناگون و گاندی را ذیل «فلسفه برای زندگی» خودش تعریف کند اما کل فلسفهدانهای ما اگر توانستند سی صفه از سهروردی طوری بنویسند که من عامی بفهمم چرا باید بروم سهروردی بخوانم. برگردم بر سر دلیل خوب بودن ترجمه:
کتاب به ظاهر مدعی چیزی نیست متن دسته اول هم نیست،هر فصل به «ربط زندگی شخصی و فلسفه»ی یک فیلسوف ربط دارد، خواندنیتر از همه برای من روسو و سقراط و مونتن و سیمون وی و دوبوار و سیشوناگون، شاید برای همین دست مترجم را باز گذاشته تا در ترجمه بخواهد زبان فارسی را برای فکر کردن به فلسفهی فیلسوفان که دلمشغول زندگی و عوارضش بودهاند بیازماید و باکی نداشته باشد از اینکه در کتابی خلاقه تجربهی ترجمهای خلاقه به فارسی را صورت بدهد. نخستین باری که متن دستم رسید یاد حرف مترجم زبدهای افتادم که گفت برای تمرین و تجربه و کار خلاقهی در ترجمه باید متنی را انتخاب کرد که از متون قدر اول نباشد. «چنین کنند بزرگان» دریابندری را مثال زد، «ساحت جوانی» و «صبح روان» الهی را، «پختستان» انور و چیزهایی از این قبیل. دست مترجم در برگردان متون قدر اول میلرزد. اما اینجا کتاب برای جوان تازه فلسفهخواندهی امروزی انگار ترجمه شده که بعضی نام غذاها و عادتها لازم ندیده پانویس بیاید اما برای بعضی اصطلاحات سیمون وی چرا. که یعنی من برای خواندن چنین خوانندهای هستم که میداند «بوریتو» چیست ولی نمیداند فلان لغت مونتنی یعنی چی.
در کل توصیه میکنم اگر میخواهید کسی را به خواندن فلسفه تشویق کنید کتاب خوبیست و چه بسا از کتاب واربرتون و دنیای سوفی هم بهتر باشد. دلیل میآورم: اولین چیزی که برای من مهم بود و به چشمم آمد این است که نمیخواهد در فضای داستانی یا تاریخفلسفهای بگوید «خط سیر فلسفه در غرب» چه بوده است، به تعبیری تمام فلسفه را در خطی از پیشاسقراطیان و سقراط تا هگل (از یونان تا رم و بعد رنسانس) ترسیم نمیکند. سیشوناگون و گاندی و در مرکز گذاشتن مونتن از کارهای درجهیک نویسنده است. دوم اینکه دلمشغول «زندگی» است تا «تاریخ فلسفه» یا «تاریخ مفاهیم». این بخش غایب ماجرا بود. همیشه در دور و برم میدیدم جوانانی که روزی در زندگی و روال معمول به تناقضاتی میرسند و میروند سراغ فلسفه پاسخی برای فکروخیالهاشان بیابند و در عوض با تاریخ فلسفه روبرو میشوند. این کتاب اینطور نیست و یکراست میرود سراغ دغدغههای آدمی که هرکدام را در کار فیلسوفی مییابد و میپرورد. سوم اینکه ترجمهی کتاب به دلیل که خواهم آورد معرکه است. فارسیای که راه میدهد هرکس کتاب را عین رمان بخواند و هی جملهها را وارسی نکند دنبال معنی. چهارم اینکه نمیشود چون دلمشغول زندگیست لاجرم قدری از وجوه الاهیاتی ماجرا محو شده و فلسفه به فراخور بخش گیتیانهی زندگی برجسته شده است. این مهم است که فلسفه در ذهن یک نوآموز به چه اعتباری حک میشود.
علاوه بر همه اینها کتاب برای کسی که مدعی فلسفه خواندن باشد هم جذابیت دارد. جاهایی کمتر جاهایی بیشتر. توجه را جلب میکنم که «فرم» نوشتن و «خلاقه» بودن کتاب و اینکه چطور یک غربی میتواند سی شوناگون و گاندی را ذیل «فلسفه برای زندگی» خودش تعریف کند اما کل فلسفهدانهای ما اگر توانستند سی صفه از سهروردی طوری بنویسند که من عامی بفهمم چرا باید بروم سهروردی بخوانم. برگردم بر سر دلیل خوب بودن ترجمه:
کتاب به ظاهر مدعی چیزی نیست متن دسته اول هم نیست،هر فصل به «ربط زندگی شخصی و فلسفه»ی یک فیلسوف ربط دارد، خواندنیتر از همه برای من روسو و سقراط و مونتن و سیمون وی و دوبوار و سیشوناگون، شاید برای همین دست مترجم را باز گذاشته تا در ترجمه بخواهد زبان فارسی را برای فکر کردن به فلسفهی فیلسوفان که دلمشغول زندگی و عوارضش بودهاند بیازماید و باکی نداشته باشد از اینکه در کتابی خلاقه تجربهی ترجمهای خلاقه به فارسی را صورت بدهد. نخستین باری که متن دستم رسید یاد حرف مترجم زبدهای افتادم که گفت برای تمرین و تجربه و کار خلاقهی در ترجمه باید متنی را انتخاب کرد که از متون قدر اول نباشد. «چنین کنند بزرگان» دریابندری را مثال زد، «ساحت جوانی» و «صبح روان» الهی را، «پختستان» انور و چیزهایی از این قبیل. دست مترجم در برگردان متون قدر اول میلرزد. اما اینجا کتاب برای جوان تازه فلسفهخواندهی امروزی انگار ترجمه شده که بعضی نام غذاها و عادتها لازم ندیده پانویس بیاید اما برای بعضی اصطلاحات سیمون وی چرا. که یعنی من برای خواندن چنین خوانندهای هستم که میداند «بوریتو» چیست ولی نمیداند فلان لغت مونتنی یعنی چی.
December 30, 2022
น่าจะเป็นหนังสือที่สนุกที่สุดเท่าที่อ่านมาในรอบหลายปีเลย คนเขียนเก่งมากในการร้อยเรียงเรื่องราวการเดินทาง ชีวิตของตัวเอง และแนวคิดที่ดูเหมือนจะยากของนักปรัชญาชื่อดังและแทบไม่ดังเลยหลายๆ คน สำนวนไพเราะ อ่านง่าย แถมยังคมคายระดับโควตได้แทบทุกหน้าไม่ว่าจะพูดถึงเรื่องอะไรอยู่ โชคดีมากๆ ที่มีโอกาสได้มาเป็น บก เล่มแปลไทย คนแปลแปลเก่งมากจริงๆ อยากให้ทุกคนรอติดตามครับ
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August 7, 2024تمومش نکردم. شاید بشه ازش بعنوان فلسفهی کاربردی نام ببریم. خب چنین عنوانی به ظاهر ممکنه خیلی مفید جلوه کنه که البته تا حدی هست به خصوص برای جامعهی فست و فودی و راحت الحلقوم طلب امروز و تا جایی هم از فضای انتزاعی و آکادمیک فلسفه دور میشه و سعی میکنه به زندگی ورود کنه.
اما در کل بخاطر رویکرد آلن دوباتنی و زیاده ساده سازی کردن و تقلیل بیش از حد ماهیت آثار و فلاسفه، به مزاجم سازگار نبود.
اما در کل بخاطر رویکرد آلن دوباتنی و زیاده ساده سازی کردن و تقلیل بیش از حد ماهیت آثار و فلاسفه، به مزاجم سازگار نبود.
April 16, 2020
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.
February 27, 2021
• Judul : The Socrates Express
• Penulis : Eric Weiner
• Penerjemah : Reinitha Amalia Lasmana
• Penyunting : Ilham Miftahuddin
• Penerbit : Qanita
• Terbit : Cetakan pertama, November 2020
• Harga : Rp 115.000,-
• Tebal : 520 halaman
• Ukuran : 12.5 × 20.5cm
• Cover : Softcover
• ISBN : 9786024021917
Berbicara soal filsafat rasanya terdengar terlalu berat dan sulit untuk dimengerti. Banyak orang memandang filsafat tidak bermanfaat hingga bisa membuat orang tidak percaya akan Tuhan. Nyatanya tidak demikian. Filsafat justru menjadi jalan bagi kita sebagai manusia untuk memahami diri sendiri dan bagaimana cara dunia bekerja. Apa yang kita lihat dan pahami belum tentu begitu adanya jika kita mendalami filsafat. Filsafat juga ternyata dapat dikemas dalam sesuatu yang menyenangkan. Seperti Eric Weiner yang membuat The Socrates Express menjadi sebuah perjalanan filsafat yang akan membawa pembacanya "jalan-jalan" sekaligus mengenal teori filsafat dari beberapa filsuf. Ini menjadi cara yang tepat untuk menarik pembaca awam seperti saya agar mau mencoba untuk mengenal filsafat. Weiner tidak hanya berbicara soal teori di sini, tapi juga ada napak tilas yang dia lakukan dengan perjalanannya menaiki kereta api. Hasilnya di luar dugaan saya merasa diajak ikut berpikir kritis sekaligus bertamasya. Pembicaraan soal filsafat yang dituangkan Weiner di The Socrates Express memberikan pemahaman yang pastinya bisa dimengerti untuk semua kalangan.
The Socrates Express seakan mengundang pembaca untuk rehat sejenak dengan bertamasya ke dunia filsafat. Weiner membawa kita berkeliling dunia untuk melihat secara langsung bagaiamana tempat para filsuf ini mendapatkan ilham dari pemikiran mereka. Walaupun judulnya The Socrates Express, tapi buku ini tidak hanya membahas tentang Socrates. Terdapat beberapa filsuf yang diceritakan mulai dari kehidupan mereka hingga teori yang mereka kemukakan. Filsuf-filsuf tersebut di antaranya adalah Marcus Aurelius, Socrates, Rousseau, Thoreau, Schopenhauer, Epicurus, Simone Weil, Gandhi, Confucius, Sei Shonagon, Nietzsche, Epictetus, Beauvoir, dan Montaigne. Para filsuf ini seakan membawa sudut pandang baru bagi saya setelah Weiner perkenalkan lewat perjalanan dengan kereta api yang dia lakukan. Banyak pelajaran dan pemahaman baru yang dapat memperkuat saya sebagai manusia dalam memaknai kehidupan. Sejarah dan kehidupan para filsuf ini pun tidak lupa dibahas oleh Weiner meskipun hanya sekilas.
Menurut saya The Socrates Express bisa dijadikan pilihan yang tepat untuk mengenal dan belajar tentang filsafat. Buku ini dikemas dengan gaya narasi selayaknya buku perjalanan. Weiner tidak hanya bercerita, tapi juga bertamasya bersama pembaca. Buku ini terbagi menjadi tiga bagian yang terdiri dari beberapa bab. Setiap babnya membahas perjalanan Weiner untuk memperkenalkan teori filsafat dari seorang filsuf beserta sedikit kehidupan mereka. Ketiga bagian tersebut adalah; Bagian Satu: Fajar (1: Bagaimana Bangun dari Rebahan seperti Marcus Aurelius, 2: Bagaimana Bertanya seperti Socrates, 3: Bagaimana Berjalan seperti Rousseau, 4: Bagaimana Melihat seperti Thoreau, 5: Bagaimana Mendengar seperti Schopenhauer); Bagian Dua: Tengah Hari (6: Bagaimana Menikmati seperti Epicurus, 7: Bagaimana Memberikan Perhatian seperti Simone Weil, 8: Bagaimana Melawan seperti Gandhi, 9: Bagaimana Menjadi Baik Hati seperti Confucius, 10: Bagaimana Menghargai Hal Kecil seperti Sei Shonagon); Bagian Tiga: Senja (11: Bagaimana Hidup Tanpa Penyesalan seperti Nietzsche, 12: Bagaimana Mengatasi Kesulitan seperti Epictetus, 13: Bagaimana Menjadi Tua seperti Beauvoir, 14: Bagaimana Menghadapi Kematian seperti Montaigne).
Jika boleh berkata jujur banyak sekali teori filsafat yang dikemukakan oleh para filsuf ini yang berhasil memperlebar pemikiran saya. Contohnya seperti Socrates yang selalu bertanya-tanya akan kehidupan. Bagaimana dengan selalu bertanya akan sesuatu akan membuat kita sadar bahwa sebagai manusia kita tidak pernah tahu apa pun. Bahwa banyak hal yang mungkin awalnya kita pahami, tapi ternyata bukan itu kenyataan yang sebenarnya. Kehidupan memang tidak bisa ditebak. Selanjutnya ada Gandhi yang sudah kerap kali kita dengar akan perjuangannya untuk memerdekakan India. Bagaimana Gandhi memilih untuk tidak melakukan kekerasan dalam melawan. Teorinya mungkin terdengar mustahil dan tidak akan berhasil. Tapi, jika melihat situasi dan kondisi yang tepat cara ini menjadi cara yang jitu dalam melawan ketidakadilan. Dan terakhir ada Montaigne yang menampar saya tentang menghadapi kematian. Banyak di antar kita yang menyangkal dan menolak kematian. Kenyataannya kematian itu pasti dan tidak bisa dihindari. Dengan merubah pola pikir kita tentang kematian dari sebuah tragedi menjadi sesuatu yang pasti, Montaigne yakin kematian hanya sebuah siklus yang harus kita jalani, tanpa perlu ditakuti.
Secara keseluruhan The Socrates Express adalah buku perjalanan yang akan memandu para pembacanya ke dunia filsafat dengan cara yang menyenangkan. Weiner mengajak kita merenungkan kembali akan kehidupan dan bagaimana cara untuk memahami diri sendiri. Perjalanan yang dilakoni Weiner seperti merefleksikan kehidupan dengan mencoba untuk mengenal diri sendiri. Teori filsafat dan para filsuf yang dibahas oleh Weiner sudah sangat mewakili bagaimana cara filsafat bekerja dalam kehidupan kita. Tidak perlu kening yang berkerut untuk memahaminya, karena Weiner hanya meminta pembaca untuk duduk manis dan menikmati setiap perjalanan yang dilaluinya. Saya takjub dengan Weiner yang tidak hanya sekadar menuliskan sejarah dari para filsuf ini beserta pemikiran mereka, tapi juga mencoba mengenalnya lebih dekat dengan mendatangi tempat-tempat para filsuf ini berada. Ritme kehidupan yang semakin hari semakin cepat sering kali membuat kita lupa untuk menikmatinya. Lewat filsafat kita dapat lebih menghargai dan menikmati hidup yang sebenarnya sederhana. Dan melalui buku ini kalian akan menemukan itu semua. Bagi kalian yang merasa asing atau pemula akan dunia filsafat seperti saya buku ini akan menjadi pilihan yang tepat untuk berkenalan dengan filsafat.
• Penulis : Eric Weiner
• Penerjemah : Reinitha Amalia Lasmana
• Penyunting : Ilham Miftahuddin
• Penerbit : Qanita
• Terbit : Cetakan pertama, November 2020
• Harga : Rp 115.000,-
• Tebal : 520 halaman
• Ukuran : 12.5 × 20.5cm
• Cover : Softcover
• ISBN : 9786024021917
Berbicara soal filsafat rasanya terdengar terlalu berat dan sulit untuk dimengerti. Banyak orang memandang filsafat tidak bermanfaat hingga bisa membuat orang tidak percaya akan Tuhan. Nyatanya tidak demikian. Filsafat justru menjadi jalan bagi kita sebagai manusia untuk memahami diri sendiri dan bagaimana cara dunia bekerja. Apa yang kita lihat dan pahami belum tentu begitu adanya jika kita mendalami filsafat. Filsafat juga ternyata dapat dikemas dalam sesuatu yang menyenangkan. Seperti Eric Weiner yang membuat The Socrates Express menjadi sebuah perjalanan filsafat yang akan membawa pembacanya "jalan-jalan" sekaligus mengenal teori filsafat dari beberapa filsuf. Ini menjadi cara yang tepat untuk menarik pembaca awam seperti saya agar mau mencoba untuk mengenal filsafat. Weiner tidak hanya berbicara soal teori di sini, tapi juga ada napak tilas yang dia lakukan dengan perjalanannya menaiki kereta api. Hasilnya di luar dugaan saya merasa diajak ikut berpikir kritis sekaligus bertamasya. Pembicaraan soal filsafat yang dituangkan Weiner di The Socrates Express memberikan pemahaman yang pastinya bisa dimengerti untuk semua kalangan.
The Socrates Express seakan mengundang pembaca untuk rehat sejenak dengan bertamasya ke dunia filsafat. Weiner membawa kita berkeliling dunia untuk melihat secara langsung bagaiamana tempat para filsuf ini mendapatkan ilham dari pemikiran mereka. Walaupun judulnya The Socrates Express, tapi buku ini tidak hanya membahas tentang Socrates. Terdapat beberapa filsuf yang diceritakan mulai dari kehidupan mereka hingga teori yang mereka kemukakan. Filsuf-filsuf tersebut di antaranya adalah Marcus Aurelius, Socrates, Rousseau, Thoreau, Schopenhauer, Epicurus, Simone Weil, Gandhi, Confucius, Sei Shonagon, Nietzsche, Epictetus, Beauvoir, dan Montaigne. Para filsuf ini seakan membawa sudut pandang baru bagi saya setelah Weiner perkenalkan lewat perjalanan dengan kereta api yang dia lakukan. Banyak pelajaran dan pemahaman baru yang dapat memperkuat saya sebagai manusia dalam memaknai kehidupan. Sejarah dan kehidupan para filsuf ini pun tidak lupa dibahas oleh Weiner meskipun hanya sekilas.
Menurut saya The Socrates Express bisa dijadikan pilihan yang tepat untuk mengenal dan belajar tentang filsafat. Buku ini dikemas dengan gaya narasi selayaknya buku perjalanan. Weiner tidak hanya bercerita, tapi juga bertamasya bersama pembaca. Buku ini terbagi menjadi tiga bagian yang terdiri dari beberapa bab. Setiap babnya membahas perjalanan Weiner untuk memperkenalkan teori filsafat dari seorang filsuf beserta sedikit kehidupan mereka. Ketiga bagian tersebut adalah; Bagian Satu: Fajar (1: Bagaimana Bangun dari Rebahan seperti Marcus Aurelius, 2: Bagaimana Bertanya seperti Socrates, 3: Bagaimana Berjalan seperti Rousseau, 4: Bagaimana Melihat seperti Thoreau, 5: Bagaimana Mendengar seperti Schopenhauer); Bagian Dua: Tengah Hari (6: Bagaimana Menikmati seperti Epicurus, 7: Bagaimana Memberikan Perhatian seperti Simone Weil, 8: Bagaimana Melawan seperti Gandhi, 9: Bagaimana Menjadi Baik Hati seperti Confucius, 10: Bagaimana Menghargai Hal Kecil seperti Sei Shonagon); Bagian Tiga: Senja (11: Bagaimana Hidup Tanpa Penyesalan seperti Nietzsche, 12: Bagaimana Mengatasi Kesulitan seperti Epictetus, 13: Bagaimana Menjadi Tua seperti Beauvoir, 14: Bagaimana Menghadapi Kematian seperti Montaigne).
Jika boleh berkata jujur banyak sekali teori filsafat yang dikemukakan oleh para filsuf ini yang berhasil memperlebar pemikiran saya. Contohnya seperti Socrates yang selalu bertanya-tanya akan kehidupan. Bagaimana dengan selalu bertanya akan sesuatu akan membuat kita sadar bahwa sebagai manusia kita tidak pernah tahu apa pun. Bahwa banyak hal yang mungkin awalnya kita pahami, tapi ternyata bukan itu kenyataan yang sebenarnya. Kehidupan memang tidak bisa ditebak. Selanjutnya ada Gandhi yang sudah kerap kali kita dengar akan perjuangannya untuk memerdekakan India. Bagaimana Gandhi memilih untuk tidak melakukan kekerasan dalam melawan. Teorinya mungkin terdengar mustahil dan tidak akan berhasil. Tapi, jika melihat situasi dan kondisi yang tepat cara ini menjadi cara yang jitu dalam melawan ketidakadilan. Dan terakhir ada Montaigne yang menampar saya tentang menghadapi kematian. Banyak di antar kita yang menyangkal dan menolak kematian. Kenyataannya kematian itu pasti dan tidak bisa dihindari. Dengan merubah pola pikir kita tentang kematian dari sebuah tragedi menjadi sesuatu yang pasti, Montaigne yakin kematian hanya sebuah siklus yang harus kita jalani, tanpa perlu ditakuti.
Secara keseluruhan The Socrates Express adalah buku perjalanan yang akan memandu para pembacanya ke dunia filsafat dengan cara yang menyenangkan. Weiner mengajak kita merenungkan kembali akan kehidupan dan bagaimana cara untuk memahami diri sendiri. Perjalanan yang dilakoni Weiner seperti merefleksikan kehidupan dengan mencoba untuk mengenal diri sendiri. Teori filsafat dan para filsuf yang dibahas oleh Weiner sudah sangat mewakili bagaimana cara filsafat bekerja dalam kehidupan kita. Tidak perlu kening yang berkerut untuk memahaminya, karena Weiner hanya meminta pembaca untuk duduk manis dan menikmati setiap perjalanan yang dilaluinya. Saya takjub dengan Weiner yang tidak hanya sekadar menuliskan sejarah dari para filsuf ini beserta pemikiran mereka, tapi juga mencoba mengenalnya lebih dekat dengan mendatangi tempat-tempat para filsuf ini berada. Ritme kehidupan yang semakin hari semakin cepat sering kali membuat kita lupa untuk menikmatinya. Lewat filsafat kita dapat lebih menghargai dan menikmati hidup yang sebenarnya sederhana. Dan melalui buku ini kalian akan menemukan itu semua. Bagi kalian yang merasa asing atau pemula akan dunia filsafat seperti saya buku ini akan menjadi pilihan yang tepat untuk berkenalan dengan filsafat.
October 2, 2020
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 City to his attempt to take the Yoga Express in India. The author also refers occasionally to how his personality and quirks might relate to the philosophy under discussion. These brief digressions strike me as delightful rather than distracting. They serve to bring the topic home to the reader.
The philosophers range from the well-known (Socrates and Nietzsche) to the more obscure (Schopenhauer and Epictetus). They range in space from the ancient Mediterranean to China and Japan. They range in time from the fifth century BC to the 20th century. Some chapters were slightly better than others and I might have made a few different selections but I found myself looking forward to each one in turn. The author says he is not a detail person. For me there is just the right mix of big ideas and small particulars which serve to lodge the concepts in the reader's mind.
Each chapter begins with a short reference to the author's train travel: from the F train in New York City to his attempt to take the Yoga Express in India. The author also refers occasionally to how his personality and quirks might relate to the philosophy under discussion. These brief digressions strike me as delightful rather than distracting. They serve to bring the topic home to the reader.
The philosophers range from the well-known (Socrates and Nietzsche) to the more obscure (Schopenhauer and Epictetus). They range in space from the ancient Mediterranean to China and Japan. They range in time from the fifth century BC to the 20th century. Some chapters were slightly better than others and I might have made a few different selections but I found myself looking forward to each one in turn. The author says he is not a detail person. For me there is just the right mix of big ideas and small particulars which serve to lodge the concepts in the reader's mind.
September 22, 2021
Philosophy is important, but it's hard to take straight. So people keep trying to concoct palatable cocktails to make it more accessible for people who don't want to read 1,000 pages to find out what Simone de Beauvoir, for example, thought about life. This book is a sampler of such cocktails. Occasionally they effervesce with snark or insight, but sometimes they are damaged by being over-diluted with the author's personal trivia and over-flavored with his neurotic bitters.
Not sure what to recommend instead since this is an ambitious undertaking. My guess is that different people will find individual philosophers that suit them and then drink deeply from those wells.
I would also point out that Natural Philosophy (AKA "science") is kind of important for understanding life, the universe and everything.
Not sure what to recommend instead since this is an ambitious undertaking. My guess is that different people will find individual philosophers that suit them and then drink deeply from those wells.
I would also point out that Natural Philosophy (AKA "science") is kind of important for understanding life, the universe and everything.
May 23, 2023
สารภาพบาปว่าปกติอ่าน non fiction ไม่ค่อยจบ โดยเฉพาะปรัชญา แต่เล่มนี้เอาผมอยู่ได้จนจบหน้าสุดท้าย
จากการเรียนปรัชญา 101 ที่มหาวิทยาลัยเมื่อนานมาแล้ว ตอนเรียนก็ประทับใจ คิดว่าเป็นศาสตร์ที่อยากหาอ่านเพิ่มเสมอ เพราะมักมีความสงสัยในเชิงนามธรรมในหัวว่า เราเกิดมาทำไม ความหมายชีวิตคืออะไร แล้วจะใช้ชีวิตอย่างไรให้มีความหมาย ผ่านหนังสือปรัชญามาหลายเล่ม (น่าจะห้า) และก็ไม่เคยอ่านจบเลย จนมาเล่มนี้แหละ
ชอบคอนเซปต์มากๆ ในแต่ละบทผู้เขียนเอาปรัชญามาผนวกกับหลายๆ อย่าง มีองค์ประกอบคล้ายกันทุกบท คือ เริ่มต้นด้วยการเดินทางในตู้รถไฟ + แก่นที่อยากจะเล่า เช่น การตื่น การเดิน การแก่ตัว + ปรัชญาที่อธิบายถึงแก่นนั้น + ประสบการณ์ส่วนตัวหรือการตั้งคำถามของผู้เขียน + ทิ้งท้ายด้วยการตลบเอาปรัชญานั้นมาตอบคำถามหรือประสบการณ์ส่วนตัวของผู้เขียน = พอเบลนกันแล้วคือกลายเป็นว่าเล่าสนุกมาก ดึงเรื่องยากๆ ชวนง่วงบนหอคอยงาช้างอย่างปรัชญาลงมาให้รีเรทได้ แม้ผู้เขียนจะเป็นชาวตะวันตก มีความแตกต่างกับผู้อ่านอย่างผมมากมาย แต่ชีวิตคนเราก็คงมีคำถาม พบเจอปัญหา อยากมีชีวิตที่ดีขึ้นคล้ายๆ กัน เล่มนี้จึงทำงานกับผมมากๆ แทบจะโควทได้ทุกหน้าเลย
แต่ถ้าใครที่เป็นสายแข็งอยากได้ความรู้แบบเน้นๆ อาจไม่เหมาะเท่าไร ด้วยวิธีการเล่าอย่างที่บอก และทั้ง 14 บท 14 นักปรัชญาที่ผู้เขียนกล่าวถึง เหมือนเป็นการทำความรู้จักเหล่านักปรัชญาผ่านมุมมองที่คัดเลือกจากผู้เขียนมากกว่า แต่แค่นี้ก็เพียงพอแล้วที่จะทำให้ผมสนใจ สำหรับการเลือกที่จะหาหนังสือปรัชญาเล่มอื่นๆ มาอ่านต่อยอด ส่วนตัวคิดว่าใครอยากเริ่มอ่านปรัชญาแต่กลัวความหนัก ไม่ไหว ไม่จบ เล่มนี้ถือเป็นตัวเลือก เป็นหัวเชื้อที่ดีเลย
จากการเรียนปรัชญา 101 ที่มหาวิทยาลัยเมื่อนานมาแล้ว ตอนเรียนก็ประทับใจ คิดว่าเป็นศาสตร์ที่อยากหาอ่านเพิ่มเสมอ เพราะมักมีความสงสัยในเชิงนามธรรมในหัวว่า เราเกิดมาทำไม ความหมายชีวิตคืออะไร แล้วจะใช้ชีวิตอย่างไรให้มีความหมาย ผ่านหนังสือปรัชญามาหลายเล่ม (น่าจะห้า) และก็ไม่เคยอ่านจบเลย จนมาเล่มนี้แหละ
ชอบคอนเซปต์มากๆ ในแต่ละบทผู้เขียนเอาปรัชญามาผนวกกับหลายๆ อย่าง มีองค์ประกอบคล้ายกันทุกบท คือ เริ่มต้นด้วยการเดินทางในตู้รถไฟ + แก่นที่อยากจะเล่า เช่น การตื่น การเดิน การแก่ตัว + ปรัชญาที่อธิบายถึงแก่นนั้น + ประสบการณ์ส่วนตัวหรือการตั้งคำถามของผู้เขียน + ทิ้งท้ายด้วยการตลบเอาปรัชญานั้นมาตอบคำถามหรือประสบการณ์ส่วนตัวของผู้เขียน = พอเบลนกันแล้วคือกลายเป็นว่าเล่าสนุกมาก ดึงเรื่องยากๆ ชวนง่วงบนหอคอยงาช้างอย่างปรัชญาลงมาให้รีเรทได้ แม้ผู้เขียนจะเป็นชาวตะวันตก มีความแตกต่างกับผู้อ่านอย่างผมมากมาย แต่ชีวิตคนเราก็คงมีคำถาม พบเจอปัญหา อยากมีชีวิตที่ดีขึ้นคล้ายๆ กัน เล่มนี้จึงทำงานกับผมมากๆ แทบจะโควทได้ทุกหน้าเลย
แต่ถ้าใครที่เป็นสายแข็งอยากได้ความรู้แบบเน้นๆ อาจไม่เหมาะเท่าไร ด้วยวิธีการเล่าอย่างที่บอก และทั้ง 14 บท 14 นักปรัชญาที่ผู้เขียนกล่าวถึง เหมือนเป็นการทำความรู้จักเหล่านักปรัชญาผ่านมุมมองที่คัดเลือกจากผู้เขียนมากกว่า แต่แค่นี้ก็เพียงพอแล้วที่จะทำให้ผมสนใจ สำหรับการเลือกที่จะหาหนังสือปรัชญาเล่มอื่นๆ มาอ่านต่อยอด ส่วนตัวคิดว่าใครอยากเริ่มอ่านปรัชญาแต่กลัวความหนัก ไม่ไหว ไม่จบ เล่มนี้ถือเป็นตัวเลือก เป็นหัวเชื้อที่ดีเลย
April 21, 2020
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 Nietzsche was, but not many of us have somehow gone into detail.
I definitely enjoyed the book. You can consider it a beginner's guide in philosophy. In any case, there is a great chance that you enjoyed it, even more so because it is written in a very friendly and unpretentious manner.
I definitely enjoyed the book. You can consider it a beginner's guide in philosophy. In any case, there is a great chance that you enjoyed it, even more so because it is written in a very friendly and unpretentious manner.
August 23, 2022
Very interesting survey of a number of major philosophers belonging to different times and cultures. What makes this book interesting is the very personal notes the author adds in each chapter, and the way he expresses to the reader what he has learned from each thinker. This is philosophy at its most charming and practical. I have used the book in an undergraduate class at City College-New York with great effect. I also interviewed the author for my podcast, Philosophy as a Way of Life (on Spotify, Apple, Google, Anchor, etc.).
January 15, 2024
خیلی طول کشید تا تمومش کنم. کتابی بود که تمرکز و تفکر رو همزمان لازم داشت. حسش مثل مزه کردن غذای جدید بود.
مثل اکثر کتابهای نشر گمان دوستش داشتم، بازم باید بخونمش، و به اطرافیانم پیشنهادش کنم تا با هم بیفتیم به جون مطالب کتاب.
مثل اکثر کتابهای نشر گمان دوستش داشتم، بازم باید بخونمش، و به اطرافیانم پیشنهادش کنم تا با هم بیفتیم به جون مطالب کتاب.
August 22, 2024
۴.۵ ستاره
May 31, 2020
Както се казваше в един филм: “Всичко е свързано.” Философията не е извън живота, a неразривна част от него, всеки е поне малко философ, без да го знае, стига само да може и да иска да задава въпроси. Въпросите във всяка възраст и във всяка социална прослойка, както и при различните типове хора, са различни. Марк Аврелий е бил стоик, но същевременно е бил “главен изпълнителен директор” на Римската империя. Конфуций е учел на доброта и ред и същевременно цял живот се е домогвал до държавен пост, който така и не получил. Торо съзерцавал в усамотение природата като извор на истината с дни, но все пак тичал за гозбите на мама, които природата нямало как да чу осигури. Всички философи са хора, което често забравяме, налитайки на някоя терминологична, претенциозна скука по толкова дълбока тема, че да ни унесе в сън.
Уайнър е предприел едно - типично по американски - енергично, пъстро, с размах, тематично разнообразно и твърде многословно - пътуване от изгрева до з��леза, през няколко интересни гледни точки на различни философи и философски школи. Типично за автора, думите се леят леко, надиплени с чувство за хумор и смяна на перспективата. Има го обаче и онова (американско?) пустословие, насочено към потребителите на фитнесгривни последен писък и към любителите на Макдоналдс. Присъстват изобилни отплесвания с цел да не изтърве онази част от аудиторията, за която важи единствено правилото “потребявам, следователно съществувам.” Интересните наблюдения и синтезът на някои идеи често мъчително трябва да се издирват сред плявата от думи. И ако читателят се поразсее за миг, може да забрави темата.
Също така Уайнър, опитвайки се да илюстрира универсалната приложимост на основните философски течения във всеки един аспект на живота, често ги илюстрира по много странен начин. Онагледяването на епикурейството сред притежателите на тесли в Калифорния влезе в пряка конфронтация с обяснените преди това идеи. Някак снобизмът и консумеризмът не ми се вързаха с ведрата, но доста солидна основа, положена от Епикур. Също така Уайнър не намери поне един оригинален китаец, с когото да си побеседва за Конфуций, та опря до паметника му в китайския квартал...
Като цяло - много приятно, леко четиво. Идеално за отпускарски и карантинен сезон.
***
"С напредването на възрастта балансът се измества от контрола към приемането.”
“Трябва да се научим, казват стоиците, да желаем това, което имаме.”
“Стоикът не само смята чашата за наполовина пълна, но смята за чудо, че изобщо има чаша...”
“Добротата не е свободно плаваща. Тя се нуждае от съд. За Конфуций този съд е... правилното ритуално поведение.”
“Не това, което имаме, а това, на което се радваме, представлява нашето изобилие.” Епикур
“Епикур поставил проста диагноза: страхуваме се от това, което не е вредно, и желаем това, което не е необходимо.”
“Не може да се направи по-голяма грешка..., да си въобразим, че написаното най-късно винаги е най-правилно...и че всяка промяна означава прогрес.” Шопенхауер
“Песимизмът изисква сигурност, която ми липсва...”
“Вашето наблюдение, за да бъде интересно, т.е. значимо, трябва да е субективно.” Торо
“Отложете дефинирането на това, което виждате, и ще видите повече.”
“Голяма част от това, което приемаме за човешка природа, е социален навик, смята Русо."
“Кой се нуждае от Аристотел, когато имаме алгоритми? Дигитaлната технология толкова успешно се справя с отговорите на по-малките въпроси от живота..., че ние приемаме, че е добра и в отговорите на големите.”
Уайнър е предприел едно - типично по американски - енергично, пъстро, с размах, тематично разнообразно и твърде многословно - пътуване от изгрева до з��леза, през няколко интересни гледни точки на различни философи и философски школи. Типично за автора, думите се леят леко, надиплени с чувство за хумор и смяна на перспективата. Има го обаче и онова (американско?) пустословие, насочено към потребителите на фитнесгривни последен писък и към любителите на Макдоналдс. Присъстват изобилни отплесвания с цел да не изтърве онази част от аудиторията, за която важи единствено правилото “потребявам, следователно съществувам.” Интересните наблюдения и синтезът на някои идеи често мъчително трябва да се издирват сред плявата от думи. И ако читателят се поразсее за миг, може да забрави темата.
Също така Уайнър, опитвайки се да илюстрира универсалната приложимост на основните философски течения във всеки един аспект на живота, често ги илюстрира по много странен начин. Онагледяването на епикурейството сред притежателите на тесли в Калифорния влезе в пряка конфронтация с обяснените преди това идеи. Някак снобизмът и консумеризмът не ми се вързаха с ведрата, но доста солидна основа, положена от Епикур. Също така Уайнър не намери поне един оригинален китаец, с когото да си побеседва за Конфуций, та опря до паметника му в китайския квартал...
Като цяло - много приятно, леко четиво. Идеално за отпускарски и карантинен сезон.
***
"С напредването на възрастта балансът се измества от контрола към приемането.”
“Трябва да се научим, казват стоиците, да желаем това, което имаме.”
“Стоикът не само смята чашата за наполовина пълна, но смята за чудо, че изобщо има чаша...”
“Добротата не е свободно плаваща. Тя се нуждае от съд. За Конфуций този съд е... правилното ритуално поведение.”
“Не това, което имаме, а това, на което се радваме, представлява нашето изобилие.” Епикур
“Епикур поставил проста диагноза: страхуваме се от това, което не е вредно, и желаем това, което не е необходимо.”
“Не може да се направи по-голяма грешка..., да си въобразим, че написаното най-късно винаги е най-правилно...и че всяка промяна означава прогрес.” Шопенхауер
“Песимизмът изисква сигурност, която ми липсва...”
“Вашето наблюдение, за да бъде интересно, т.е. значимо, трябва да е субективно.” Торо
“Отложете дефинирането на това, което виждате, и ще видите повече.”
“Голяма част от това, което приемаме за човешка природа, е социален навик, смята Русо."
“Кой се нуждае от Аристотел, когато имаме алгоритми? Дигитaлната технология толкова успешно се справя с отговорите на по-малките въпроси от живота..., че ние приемаме, че е добра и в отговорите на големите.”
February 12, 2021
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 Socrates.” This chapter is a window into Socrates’s way of thinking, of wondering.
Having written this from the standpoint of an avid lover of philosophy, you may think this book is reserved to those easily entertained by faltulent vocabulary and abstract concepts. This doesn’t hold true. This book appeals to all kind of people. It offers a guide on how philosophy is a means to live a more fulfilling life. If philosophy is anything, it’s an answer to that question—how to live. It’s what we have been looking for.
This book will make you realize how much you don’t know. It will make you question your existence—and everything else that exists.
“Sooner or later, life makes philosophers of us all,” said the French thinker Maurice Riseling. But remember, sooner is always better than later.
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 Socrates.” This chapter is a window into Socrates’s way of thinking, of wondering.
Having written this from the standpoint of an avid lover of philosophy, you may think this book is reserved to those easily entertained by faltulent vocabulary and abstract concepts. This doesn’t hold true. This book appeals to all kind of people. It offers a guide on how philosophy is a means to live a more fulfilling life. If philosophy is anything, it’s an answer to that question—how to live. It’s what we have been looking for.
This book will make you realize how much you don’t know. It will make you question your existence—and everything else that exists.
“Sooner or later, life makes philosophers of us all,” said the French thinker Maurice Riseling. But remember, sooner is always better than later.
February 13, 2021
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 the bed each day in the morning). The selection of philosophers will raise your brow even more likely though - yes, there are some obvious choices like Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, or Epictetus, but on the list you can find also names like Simone Weil, Mahathma Gandhi, or Simone de Beauvoir. Nevertheless, each chapter is a compelling, closed consideration - definitely worth reading.
Why 4 stars then? Somehow the book left me unsatisfied and curious ;) I'd like some more confrontational approach: comparison of doctrines, differences in approaches to certain phenomenons by different schools of thought. But well, there's always some room for improvement.
My favorite chapter? The one about Epictetus - I haven't seen these concepts summarized that well in any other book, I couldn't stop nodding.
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 the bed each day in the morning). The selection of philosophers will raise your brow even more likely though - yes, there are some obvious choices like Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, or Epictetus, but on the list you can find also names like Simone Weil, Mahathma Gandhi, or Simone de Beauvoir. Nevertheless, each chapter is a compelling, closed consideration - definitely worth reading.
Why 4 stars then? Somehow the book left me unsatisfied and curious ;) I'd like some more confrontational approach: comparison of doctrines, differences in approaches to certain phenomenons by different schools of thought. But well, there's always some room for improvement.
My favorite chapter? The one about Epictetus - I haven't seen these concepts summarized that well in any other book, I couldn't stop nodding.
July 28, 2025
A great book.Written with wit and delicacy.
personally I do not agree with all of the ideas mentioned in the book but having the opportunity to get familiar with these ideas in one book was amazing.
personally I do not agree with all of the ideas mentioned in the book but having the opportunity to get familiar with these ideas in one book was amazing.
September 15, 2020
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.
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.
February 18, 2023
ارزشش را داشت.
March 18, 2020
Спийд дейтинг с по-умните от нас: https://knigolandia.info/book-review/...
Както и в предните книги, Уайнър залага основно на пътуването – само дето тук го прави преимуществено с влак, което дава повод за забавни интерлюдии, които навързва с избрания конкретен мъдрец, с когото провежда задочен диалог. Забавно е как постепенно натрупва материал – във всеки следващ текст все повече се позовава на вече споменати и разгледани философи (почти всички са такива професионално), така може по-добре да обрисува идеите на всекиго. Контрастът е нужен – а тук са събрани наистина разнопосочни виждания за света, които в различни периоди са давали отговори на предизвикателствата на своето време и до наши дни дават отговор на поне част от тези на нашето.
Издателство ФАБЕР / FABER Publishers
https://knigolandia.info/book-review/...
Както и в предните книги, Уайнър залага основно на пътуването – само дето тук го прави преимуществено с влак, което дава повод за забавни интерлюдии, които навързва с избрания конкретен мъдрец, с когото провежда задочен диалог. Забавно е как постепенно натрупва материал – във всеки следващ текст все повече се позовава на вече споменати и разгледани философи (почти всички са такива професионално), така може по-добре да обрисува идеите на всекиго. Контрастът е нужен – а тук са събрани наистина разнопосочни виждания за света, които в различни периоди са давали отговори на предизвикателствата на своето време и до наши дни дават отговор на поне част от тези на нашето.
Издателство ФАБЕР / FABER Publishers
https://knigolandia.info/book-review/...
November 7, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have not spent much time studying philosophy, but this book was a fantastic introduction to it. Many a time did I pause and laugh or think as I enjoyed how well written this book was. He puts things in such a unique light that ranges from the hilarious to the thoughtful. I enjoyed every page and every philosopher in it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an introduction to philosophy or simply for a good non-fiction read.
September 3, 2023
ถ้าเทียบกับเล่มปรัชญาฉบับกระทัดรัด เล่มนี้อาจจะย้วยกว่าสักหน่อย และไม่ได้เน้นเรื่อง 'ปรัชญา' มากนัก แต่เป็นการเล่าผ่านกึ่งๆ บันทึกเดินทางและมุมมองต่อนักปรัชญาเหล่านั้น
ภาษาแปลดีงาม เนื้อเรื่องจับต้องได้ แต่บทหลังๆ รู้สึกว่าใส่ตัวผู้เขียนมามากจนหานัก��รัชญาไม่ค่อยเจอ
ภาษาแปลดีงาม เนื้อเรื่องจับต้องได้ แต่บทหลังๆ รู้สึกว่าใส่ตัวผู้เขียนมามากจนหานัก��รัชญาไม่ค่อยเจอ
May 23, 2021
It's alright, but it seemed to mostly be about the author riding trains or traveling. It felt more like talking about thinking about philosophy than reading philosophy.
December 10, 2024
I have fond memories of listening to Eric Weiner's The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World about 15 years ago. Weiner has a unique voice—which I loved—it's sometimes a little snarky, sometimes a little ironic, and oftentimes quite sincere. This book, his latest, is an exploration of some of the world's best known philosophers, including Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, Henry David Thoreau, Friedrich Nietzsche, Simone de Beauvoir, Confucius, Gandhi, and a number of others, each of whom is described in the context of a train journey. I know that sounds a little bit weird, but it works: the book is entertaining and informative and Weiner's unique voice shines through it all. Definitely recommended.
December 23, 2023
Odd read. Basically, the author has a sort of pedestrian interest in philosophy (which is comfortably relatable) and he writes one chapter on 14 different philosophers and his sort of thoughts on that philosopher. It wasn’t a short book, but it somehow contained very little substance. For maybe 12/14 of the philosophers, I learned nothing new, despite the fact that I’ve only read probably 5-6 of them at much length. I hoped the book would have some nice topical educational value, and instead it has this stream of consciousness style that didn’t do much for me.
I also can’t help but mention how insane and pathological many of these philosophers were, which makes sense given their worldviews. I’m not a big fan of Thoreau, Rousseau, and Schopenhauer philosophically speaking, so reading about how depressed, crazy, and mean to others they all just gave me feelings of angry confirmation bias.
I don’t hate all crazy philosophers whose worldviews I disagree with though; Nietzsche is the goat. Always been a fan (in a way).
I also can’t help but mention how insane and pathological many of these philosophers were, which makes sense given their worldviews. I’m not a big fan of Thoreau, Rousseau, and Schopenhauer philosophically speaking, so reading about how depressed, crazy, and mean to others they all just gave me feelings of angry confirmation bias.
I don’t hate all crazy philosophers whose worldviews I disagree with though; Nietzsche is the goat. Always been a fan (in a way).
July 6, 2025
Very enjoyable, educational and interesting for someone with little to no prior knowledge of these philosophers and ideas. This book would likely feel too surface level to someone with more background, but was perfect for me.
October 9, 2020
I enjoy philosophy and learning new thought patterns, but this was a bit of a drag. Every chapter begins with Eric Weiner, our author, on a train doing something and then the story begins about one of the philosophers. The stories take too long to get to a clear point. We are here to read about life lessons, not huge background information about each philosopher or about the train, or whatever. I couldn't do it. Skipped a huge section of this book after I discovered the pattern mentioned above.
It just wasn't for me.
Annotation Captured from Kindle:
The Socrates Express
Eric Weiner
p.01) What is this hunger that cannot be sated? We don’t want what we think we want. We think we want information and knowledge. We do not. We want wisdom. There’s a difference.
p.01) British musician Miles Kington said: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”
p.02) “Philosopher,” from the Greek philosophos, means “lover of wisdom.”
p.07) The stages, I’m learning, fly by. Too many of us hum along, cluttering our minds with the trivial and the silly, as if we have all the time in the world. We don’t. I don’t and neither do you.
So, despite the slowpoke train I”m riding as I write these words, a sense of urgency of someone who does not want to die having not lived.
p.09) Mornings set the tone for the day. Bad days follow bad mornings.
p.11) Yet life out there beckons. We have precious little time on this planet. DO we really want to spend it horizontally? No, we don’t. Surely the life force, pulsing through our weary veins, is powerful enough to wrest a middle-aged man, slightly overweight but no obese, from bed. Isn’t it?
This conversation, in some form, has been taking place under the covers for as long as there have been covers and people to hide under them. We’ve made significant advances since Roman times, but the Great Bed Question remains essentially unchanged. No one is immune. President or peasant, celebrity chef or Starbucks barista, Roman emperor or neurotic writer, we’re all subject to the same laws of inertia. We’re all bodies at rest, waiting for an outside force to act upon us.
p.12) Then there were his children. Faustina bore at least thirteen. Fewer than half survived childhood. Marcus was a rarity: a philosopher king.
p.17) “When I laze in bed, as I am now, I am thinking of only myself.” Remaining under the covers is, in the final analysis, a selfish act. This realization gets Marcus moving. He has a duty to get out of bed.
p.19) This is a shame. Socrates was not a speck. He was not an idea. He was a man. A breathing, walking, defecating, lovemaking, nose-picking, wine-drinking, joke-telling man.
N) And any hero you look up to, is the same man as you are.
p.20) He called it his daemon. “This began when I was a child,” he explained during his trial on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens. “It is a voice, and whenever it speaks it turns me away from something I am about to do, but it never encourages me to do anything.”
N) This voice sounds exactly like procrastination.
p.23) Socrates was interested in “How” questions. How can I lead a happier, more meaningful life? How can I practice justice? How can I know myself?
p.30) How to speak through to a thirteen-year-old is a mystery the world’s great philosophers have yet to solve. If a tree falls in the woods and her friends don’t share it on Snapchat, it didn’t fall.
p.38) A good question does that. It grabs hold of you and won’t let go. A good question reframes the problem so that you see it in an entirely new light.
p.43) Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a walker. He walked everywhere, for miles and miles on end.
For most of human history, walking was not optional. If you wanted to get anywhere, you had to walk.
“I have never thought so much, existed so much, lived so much, been so much myself...as in the journeys which I have made alone and on foot,” he said.
p.53) We walk on two feet but we do so on a skeleton designed for four.
p.66) Thoreau: “I never know, and shall never know, a worse man than myself,” he writes at one point.
p.288) I can’t control the events that led to my broken phone, but I can control my reaction. I can assent to my “pre-emotion” or not. I can sulk or not. It is my choice. Man up!
END
It just wasn't for me.
Annotation Captured from Kindle:
The Socrates Express
Eric Weiner
p.01) What is this hunger that cannot be sated? We don’t want what we think we want. We think we want information and knowledge. We do not. We want wisdom. There’s a difference.
p.01) British musician Miles Kington said: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”
p.02) “Philosopher,” from the Greek philosophos, means “lover of wisdom.”
p.07) The stages, I’m learning, fly by. Too many of us hum along, cluttering our minds with the trivial and the silly, as if we have all the time in the world. We don’t. I don’t and neither do you.
So, despite the slowpoke train I”m riding as I write these words, a sense of urgency of someone who does not want to die having not lived.
p.09) Mornings set the tone for the day. Bad days follow bad mornings.
p.11) Yet life out there beckons. We have precious little time on this planet. DO we really want to spend it horizontally? No, we don’t. Surely the life force, pulsing through our weary veins, is powerful enough to wrest a middle-aged man, slightly overweight but no obese, from bed. Isn’t it?
This conversation, in some form, has been taking place under the covers for as long as there have been covers and people to hide under them. We’ve made significant advances since Roman times, but the Great Bed Question remains essentially unchanged. No one is immune. President or peasant, celebrity chef or Starbucks barista, Roman emperor or neurotic writer, we’re all subject to the same laws of inertia. We’re all bodies at rest, waiting for an outside force to act upon us.
p.12) Then there were his children. Faustina bore at least thirteen. Fewer than half survived childhood. Marcus was a rarity: a philosopher king.
p.17) “When I laze in bed, as I am now, I am thinking of only myself.” Remaining under the covers is, in the final analysis, a selfish act. This realization gets Marcus moving. He has a duty to get out of bed.
p.19) This is a shame. Socrates was not a speck. He was not an idea. He was a man. A breathing, walking, defecating, lovemaking, nose-picking, wine-drinking, joke-telling man.
N) And any hero you look up to, is the same man as you are.
p.20) He called it his daemon. “This began when I was a child,” he explained during his trial on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens. “It is a voice, and whenever it speaks it turns me away from something I am about to do, but it never encourages me to do anything.”
N) This voice sounds exactly like procrastination.
p.23) Socrates was interested in “How” questions. How can I lead a happier, more meaningful life? How can I practice justice? How can I know myself?
p.30) How to speak through to a thirteen-year-old is a mystery the world’s great philosophers have yet to solve. If a tree falls in the woods and her friends don’t share it on Snapchat, it didn’t fall.
p.38) A good question does that. It grabs hold of you and won’t let go. A good question reframes the problem so that you see it in an entirely new light.
p.43) Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a walker. He walked everywhere, for miles and miles on end.
For most of human history, walking was not optional. If you wanted to get anywhere, you had to walk.
“I have never thought so much, existed so much, lived so much, been so much myself...as in the journeys which I have made alone and on foot,” he said.
p.53) We walk on two feet but we do so on a skeleton designed for four.
p.66) Thoreau: “I never know, and shall never know, a worse man than myself,” he writes at one point.
p.288) I can’t control the events that led to my broken phone, but I can control my reaction. I can assent to my “pre-emotion” or not. I can sulk or not. It is my choice. Man up!
END
March 1, 2025
It is a delightful journey through the wisdom of history's greatest philosophers. Weiner's storytelling is captivating, making the book hard to put down.
His travels to the places where these thinkers lived add a dimension to their ideas.
How to walk, how to wonder, listen, fight, be kind, grow old..And many other things that are essential to live a good life are discussed in the book.
I wouldn’t have time to go and read all the books and memoirs the author did to come to these conclusions, phrases, and impressions. So, highly recommend to read.
His travels to the places where these thinkers lived add a dimension to their ideas.
How to walk, how to wonder, listen, fight, be kind, grow old..And many other things that are essential to live a good life are discussed in the book.
I wouldn’t have time to go and read all the books and memoirs the author did to come to these conclusions, phrases, and impressions. So, highly recommend to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 515 reviews