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philosophy

Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness Are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe

Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness Are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe

Lanza argues that life and consciousness are not mere byproducts of the physical universe but are, in fact, central to its very existence. In other words, according to “Biocentrism,” life created the universe, and the laws of the universe are fine-tuned to accommodate consciousness. This idea starkly contrasts with the traditional materialistic viewpoint, which suggests that life emerged as a result of physical processes in a pre-existing universe. I’m not a scientist, so I lack the tools to say whether the book leans more towards… Read More »Biocentrism: How Life and Consciousness Are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe

Happy Ever After

If you believe that happiness comes from being wealthy, successful, educated, married with children, healthy, etc., then read this book, and your beliefs will be challenged. The author, Paul Dolan, is a Professor of Behavioral Science who explores the concept of happiness by challenging societal norms. I enjoyed this book because it has many thought-provoking chapters that made me reflect a lot and gave me a fresh perspective on our society. It stayed with me long after I finished reading it. Title: Happy Ever After:… Read More »Happy Ever After

When Things Fall Apart

I picked up this book during one of the most difficult periods of my life when my son was in intensive care last summer. The anguish was visceral, and there wasn’t a single part of my body that didn’t ache. Colours seemed to vanish from my surroundings, and everything people said, except for those few who genuinely were there for me, had zero impact. Silently, I was screaming that I wanted it all to stop. So, I resonated with the book’s core concept: in moments… Read More »When Things Fall Apart

Happiness

Happiness

In a world consumed by the pursuit of material success and external appearances, this book offers a profound exploration of what it truly means to be happy. The author, a Buddhist monk, also known as the happiest person in the world, shares his insights on happiness from a scientific, philosophical, and personal perspective. Understanding that we are neither perfect nor completely happy is not a weakness. Right from the start, Ricard clarifies that this book isn’t strictly about Buddhism, yet the essence of Buddhist teachings… Read More »Happiness

Irriducibile

While Faggin’s theories are thought-provoking, I found it challenging to understand much of the book, even though I read it in my native language. The first part was extremely difficult to grasp, requiring significant effort to stick with it. The second part was less complex and more interesting to me.  Despite the glossary at the end, I don’t believe it explains the concepts in a way that’s accessible to a broad audience. For this reason, I wouldn’t consider it a popular science book; one needs… Read More »Irriducibile

Buddhism Plain and Simple (by Steve Hagen)

If you are curious about Buddhism and seeking a simple, accessible introduction to its basic concepts, this book is for you. I really enjoyed reading it and found it insightful. My favourite part was the explanation that there’s no permanent “self”. This really got me thinking about the impermanence of everything around us. Everything changes, even the concept of “I”. Another aspect that I liked about this book was its modern and pragmatic style. While it’s rooted in ancient Buddhist philosophy, it speaks directly to… Read More »Buddhism Plain and Simple (by Steve Hagen)

As a Man Thinketh (by James Allen)

It’s probably taking me longer to write this review than to read the book, but despite being a short read, it’s packed with powerful concepts that are still relevant today. For example, the metaphor of the mind as a garden that must be cultivated, or the notion that our minds become calm in proportion to our understanding of ourselves as thought-evolved beings. The central idea of the book is that our thoughts shape our lives. A person is limited only by the thoughts that he… Read More »As a Man Thinketh (by James Allen)

A Room of One’s Own (by Virginia Woolf)

There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind. A classic work of feminist literature, this book explores the issue of women’s place in society. Specifically, that they have faced a scarcity of opportunities – this book raises the question of what women could achieve if they were given the same opportunities as their male colleagues. Woolf argues that centuries of financial and educational disadvantages have inhibited women’s creativity. She uses vivid storytelling to paint a… Read More »A Room of One’s Own (by Virginia Woolf)

How Fear Works (by Frank Furedi)

Interesting and informative, this book smartly explores the various ways in which fear is used and manipulated in our society, from politics to media. Specifically, Frank Furedi, originally Hungarian and emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, presents a compelling theory that we live in a culture of fear, different to the culture of courage and self-reliance of a century ago. In fact, nowadays, our values are centred around safety and risk aversion. Through thought-provoking reasoning, the author also encourages the reader to… Read More »How Fear Works (by Frank Furedi)

Maria Montessori (by Grazia Honegger Fresco)

Maria Montessori is more well-known and appreciated abroad than in Italy. There are many books about her biography written in English that seem to be very well read and reviewed. In fact, her teaching method, which focuses on the individuality and autonomy of the child, is still incredibly popular today all over the world. This book, full of references to facts and events, covers Maria Montessori’s entire life: her years of training in which she was one of the first female doctors in Italy, the… Read More »Maria Montessori (by Grazia Honegger Fresco)