Alain de Botton - On Pessimism and Why it's Useful

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Alain de Botton - On Pessimism and Why it's Useful
by Darius Kadivar
17-Jul-2011
 

In the constant search for happiness, philosopher Alain de Botton believes that we should all learn to be a bit more pessimistic.

Part I:

Part II:

Part III:

In the constant search for happiness, philosopher Alain de Botton believes that we should all learn to be a bit more pessimistic. 



In this secular sermon, Alain challenges the great bourgeois promise that everyone can find happiness in love and work and suggests that we take on the joys of pessimism instead. He argues that the chances of anyone succeeding in both areas (let alone in one) are extremely remote - and that it is therefore peculiar, and deeply cruel, to base our societies around these values. Indeed, in denying a place for misery anddespair, the modern world denies us the possibility of collective consolation,condemning us instead to solitary feelings of shame and persecution. 


Alain de Botton is the author of numerous essayistic books that have been described as a 'philosophy of everyday life.'

For more information, visit his website at: //www.alaindebotton.com/

This secular sermon took place at Conway Hall, London on 22 March 2009

Related Blogs:

HISTORY OF IDEAS: Seneca on Anger - A Guide To Happiness with Alain de Botton (BBC)

HISTORY OF IDEAS: Seneca on Anger - A Guide To Happiness with Alain de Botton (BBC)

HISTORY OF IDEAS: Montaigne's Guide To Happiness,Wisdom and Self-Esteem (BBC Documentary)

HISTORY OF IDEAS:Socrates on Self-Confidence and Non Conformist Thought (BBC Documentary)

HISTORY FORUM: The Age of Enlightment in France and Europe.

EMPIRE OF THE MIND: The Greeks - Crucible of Civilization narrated by Liam Neeson (PBS-1999)

HISTORY FORUM: Machiavelli's "The Prince" and the "Art" of Governing

GOOD READ: All You Need to Know About The Enlightment Philosophers

HISTORY FORUM: Nader Naderpour on Iran's Constitutional Revolution and European Rennaissance (1996)

HISTORY OF IDEAS: Jean Paul Sartre on Freedom and Existentialism (BBC)

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more from Darius Kadivar
 
amirparvizforsecularmonarchy

Interesting point of view

by amirparvizforsecularmonarchy on

What about making the basis of societies values on things we can all do good at.

On a pessimistic note, I don't think I can come up with anything we can all do  good at, some people are bad at even being consumers.