Alain De Botton- Why Pessimism is Healthy and our Modern World is Not

[bonnie43uk]

I want Alain to read me a bedtime story. What an amazing voice.

[enlightenoneself]

Rather interesting thought. Sort of prepare for the worse, so things can only get better. Thinking about this brought expectations to my mind. Here expectations can be used for one, or against one. For example; Hope can lead to expectations that when not met make one angry. If we expect the worse, it makes one feel better when those expectations are not met. Religion may give hope but it also gives damnation. Science, politics and commerce should have nothing to do with Spiritual development.

[enlightenoneself]

Rather interesting thought. Sort of prepare for the worse, so things can only get better. Thinking about this brought expectations to my mind. Here expectations can be used for one, or against one. For example; Hope can lead to expectations that when not met make one angry. If we expect the worse, it makes one feel better when those expectations are not met. Religion may give hope but it also gives damnation. Science, politics and commerce should have nothing to do with Spiritual development.

[kevinpkavanagh]

I remember reading his earlier books a long time ago and I think it was in The Consolations of Philosophy that I first heard him making a point like this- that happiness is an illusion and it's wise to not expect too much of the world- and he described how both the Buddha and Ancient Greek philosophers came to this conclusion independently, and that really struck me -as so different from the modern world, as a universal wisdom we have lost.

[NutriGenicsClinic]

What an insight.. Thank you. Truly therapeutic. M.C

[MexxPowers]

Thanks! Much appreciated it.