Alain de Botton 
Philosophy in 40 Ideas 
Lessons for life

A thought-provoking introduction to philosophy through 40 key ideas.



This book artfully draws together forty of the greatest and most useful ideas found in philosophy, taking us on a journey around key concepts from both Eastern and Western cultures.



Exploring relevant issues like work, love, anxiety, self-knowledge, and happiness, this essential guide reminds us of the wit, humanity, and relevance of great philosophers including Nietzsche, Heidegger, Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Buddha.

• PHILOSOPHY FOR EVERYDAY LIFE


• 40 KEY CONCEPTS  presented in short, poetic chapters.


• ANCIENT WISDOM, CONTEMPORARY APPLICATION  explains how philosophy is still applicable today.


• FULLY ILLUSTRATED THROUGHOUT

Table of Content

1. Know yourself

2. Philo-sophia

3. Eudaimonia

4. Democracy

5. Eros and philia

6. ‘What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears’

7. Peccatum originale

8. ‘Kings and philosophers shit, and so do ladies’

9. ‘All our unhappiness comes from our inability to sit alone in our room’

10. Sub specie aeternitatis

11. Machiavellianism

12. Aus so krummem Holze, als woraus der Mensch gemacht ist, kann nichts ganz Gerades gezimmert werden. [‘Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.’]

13. The Hegelian dialectic of history

14. ‘God is dead’

15. The Sublime

16. The Wealth of Nations

17. Existential Angst

18. Bad faith

19. The Myth of Sisyphus

20. Being and Time

21. The Vinegar-Tasters

22. Zhōng/Loyalty

23. The Five Virtues

24. The life of Confucius

25. Life is suffering

26. Mettā/Benevolence

27. Guanyin

28. Wu Wei/Not making an effort

29. Water as wisdom

30. Bamboo as wisdom

31. Kintsugi/Hope in brokenness

32. Wabi sabi/Loving the imperfect

33. Gongshi/Spirit stones

34. Yinshi/A recluse

35. Ikebana/Flower arranging

36. Tea ceremony

37. Haiku

38. Gravel raking

39. Mono No Aware/The pathos of things

40. Shufa/Calligraphy

About the author

The School of Life is a global organization helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfillment. The School of Life is a resource for exploring self-knowledge, relationships, work, socializing, finding calm, and enjoying culture through content, community, and conversation. You can find us online, in stores and in welcoming spaces around the world offering classes, events, and one-to-one therapy sessions. The School of Life is a rapidly growing global brand, with over 5 million You Tube subscribers, 343, 000 Facebook followers, 183, 000 Instagram followers and 160, 000 Twitter followers. The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Their books share a coherent, curated message that speaks with one voice: calm, reassuring, and sane.