Have you met @AlaindeBotton?

Alain de Botton is a philosopher with a decidedly 21st century edge. He is capable of presenting the works of the Philosophy masters in a way that is simple but not simplistic, while adjusting their ideas to reflect current day realities. It should not be a surprise that I first discovered de Botton via TED, where earlier this year he did a talk presenting a kindler, gentler idea of success. You can see that talk here.

The talk resonated with me and I went searching for more. What I discovered was an eclectic body of work full of deep explorations of everyday challenges from unique and interesting perspectives, the very definition of thought provoking. His most recent book “The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work” dives into, well, work. In “The Architecture of Happiness,” featured in the movie “(500) Days of Summer,” he argues that architecture should play an important role in our happiness. “The Consolations of Philosophy” led to a BBC series that can be seen below. Monocle recently asked him, and 24 other thinkers, what’s next for our world, you can see his answer here. 

If you want a tour guide to the world from a philosophical standpoint de Botton is your man.

Socrates on self-confidence:
 

Epicurus on happiness:
 

Seneca on anger:
 

Montaigne on self-esteem:
 

Schopenhauer on love:
 

Nietzche on hardship:
 

Related:
Alain de Botton: web, wiki, facebook, twitter

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work
The Architecture of Happiness (Vintage)
How Proust Can Change Your Life
Status Anxiety
The Consolations of Philosophy