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Author: Christopher V. Mirus
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 0813235464
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 345
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Book Description
In his contemplative works on nature, Aristotle twice appeals to the general principle that being is better than not being. Taking his cue from this claim, Christopher V. Mirus offers an extended, systematic account of how Aristotle understands being itself to be good. Mirus begins with the human, examining Aristotle’s well-known claim that the end of a human life is the good of the human substance as such—which turns out to be the good of the human capacity for thought. Human thought, however, is not concerned with human affairs alone. It is also contemplative, and contemplation is oriented toward the beauty of its objects. In each of the three branches of contemplative thought—mathematics, natural science, and theology—the intelligibility of being renders it beautiful to thought. Both in nature and in human life, moreover, the being that is beautiful through its intelligibility serves also as an end of motion and of action; hence it counts not only as beautiful (kalon), but also as good (agathon). The persistent concern of thought with the beautiful reveals what is at stake for human beings in Aristotle’s larger metaphysics of the good: in the connection between goodness and actuality that structures his natural science and metaphysics, in his explicit claim that being is better than not being, and in his concepts of order and determinacy, which help connect being with goodness. These in turn shed light on his concepts of the complete and the self-sufficient, on his teleological understanding of the four elements, and on the curious role of the honorable in his natural science and metaphysics.
Author: Christopher V. Mirus
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 0813235464
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 345
Get Book Here
Book Description
In his contemplative works on nature, Aristotle twice appeals to the general principle that being is better than not being. Taking his cue from this claim, Christopher V. Mirus offers an extended, systematic account of how Aristotle understands being itself to be good. Mirus begins with the human, examining Aristotle’s well-known claim that the end of a human life is the good of the human substance as such—which turns out to be the good of the human capacity for thought. Human thought, however, is not concerned with human affairs alone. It is also contemplative, and contemplation is oriented toward the beauty of its objects. In each of the three branches of contemplative thought—mathematics, natural science, and theology—the intelligibility of being renders it beautiful to thought. Both in nature and in human life, moreover, the being that is beautiful through its intelligibility serves also as an end of motion and of action; hence it counts not only as beautiful (kalon), but also as good (agathon). The persistent concern of thought with the beautiful reveals what is at stake for human beings in Aristotle’s larger metaphysics of the good: in the connection between goodness and actuality that structures his natural science and metaphysics, in his explicit claim that being is better than not being, and in his concepts of order and determinacy, which help connect being with goodness. These in turn shed light on his concepts of the complete and the self-sufficient, on his teleological understanding of the four elements, and on the curious role of the honorable in his natural science and metaphysics.
Author: Kai Whiting
Publisher: New World Library
ISBN: 1608686949
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 178
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Book Description
Practical answers to the urgent moral questions of our time from the ancient philosophy of Stoicism Twenty-three centuries ago, in a marketplace in Athens, Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism, built his philosophy on powerful ideas that still resonate today: all human beings can become citizens of the world, regardless of their nationality, gender, or social class; happiness comes from living in harmony with nature; and, most important, humans always have the freedom to choose their attitude, even when they cannot control external circumstances. In our age of political polarization and environmental destruction, Stoicism’s empowering message has taken on new relevance. In Being Better, Kai Whiting and Leonidas Konstantakos apply Stoic principles to contemporary issues such as social justice, climate breakdown, and the excesses of global capitalism. They show that Stoicism is not an ivory-tower philosophy or a collection of Silicon Valley life hacks but a vital way of life that helps us live simply, improve our communities, and find peace in a turbulent world.
Author: Alina Tugend
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1101486430
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 209
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Book Description
New York Times columnist Alina Tugend delivers an eye-opening big idea: Embracing mistakes can make us smarter, healthier, and happier in every facet of our lives. In this persuasive book, journalist Alina Tugend examines the delicate tension between what we’re told—we must make mistakes in order to learn—and the reality—we often get punished for them. She shows us that mistakes are everywhere, and when we acknowledge and identify them correctly, we can improve not only ourselves, but our families, our work, and the world around us as well. Bold and dynamic, insightful and provocative, Better by Mistake turns our cultural wisdom on its head to illustrate the downside of striving for perfection and the rewards of acknowledging and accepting mistakes and embracing the imperfection in all of us.
Author: Kate Hanley
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1507205279
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 224
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Book Description
This fun, enlightening book features 401 everyday activities to help you become a better person and make a positive impact on the people around you. How to Be a Better Person is a unique and practical guide that can help you easily turn your good intentions into meaningful actions. Each activity serves as a daily inspiration for you to make a positive impact in your home, community, and relationships. With exercises designed to foster cheerfulness, kindness, generosity, gratitude, acceptance and inclusion, integrity, and honesty, you can learn how easy it is to be the person you’ve always wanted to be.
Author: Steven Jay Lynn
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1452203172
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 473
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Book Description
CHAPTER 14: MAKING MARRIAGE (AND OTHER RELATIONSHIPS) WORK -- CHAPTER 15: THE JOYS OF LOVING: ENHANCING SEXUAL EXPERIENCES -- CHAPTER 16: RAISING OUR KIDS WELL: GUIDELINES FOR POSITIVE PARENTING -- CHAPTER 17: FINANCIAL SKILLS -- AUTHOR INDEX -- SUBJECT INDEX
Author: Steven Pinker
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0143122010
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 834
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Book Description
Faced with the ceaseless stream of news about war, crime, and terrorism, one could easily think this is the most violent age ever seen. Yet as bestselling author Pinker shows in this startling and engaging new work, just the opposite is true.
Author: Gregory W. Slayton
Publisher: Revell
ISBN: 1441225692
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 321
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Book Description
Be a Better Dad Today! is a global bestseller for a reason: it's one of the best books on fatherhood you will ever read. Warmly endorsed by dozens of America's best-known and most respected fathers, the book lays out the "Ten Tools of Fatherhood" that will help every dad who uses them. The book is the product of Slayton's thirty-year study of fatherhood on five different continents, his research, and his own experience raising four children with his wife of twenty-six years. Slayton's easy-to-read, friendly style makes it a fun read, and the many great real-life stories bring it to life. Be a Better Dad Today! is an inspirational, encouraging, and down-to-earth guidebook for every father who wants to be a better dad--for his family's sake and his own. With humor, empathy, common sense, and engaging stories, Slayton reveals proven and powerful tools and techniques that will help every dad fulfill his God-given responsibilities. Whether parenting younger or older kids, boys or girls, blended families or as a single dad (or even as a father-to-be), readers will find wise insights and practical, doable action steps for becoming the best dad they can be. The book makes a great gift for Father's Day, Christmas, birthdays, or any day. And since the Slaytons are dedicating 100 percent of all royalties from the book to fatherhood and family charities serving the US Military and at-risk families, your purchase will a blessing to the fathers and families who serve our nation every day.
Author: Raimo Hämäläinen
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781507866207
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 246
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Book Description
The book aims to help the reader to become more aware of our astonishing skills of Systems Intelligence. It focuses on everyday systems like families, workplaces and communities. These systems are created through our thoughts, actions and connections with others. They are systems that shape our lives, but also offer the possibility of us changing them from within. We are always part of systems. We can act intelligently from within those systems. Systems Intelligence extends the concepts of Emotional and Social Intelligence. Systems Intelligence is the innate yet learnable capacity through which we engage with the diverse systems in our lives. The book presents the Eight Dimensions of Systems Intelligence. It looks at how we can better see and understand systems through developing our systems perception. It pushes the reader to not just see systems around them, but to realize that we can often feel systems at work via attunement. It explores how reflection reveals how systems shape our thought processes and how we can develop the way we think. It reveals the systemic effects of positive engagement with others. It shows how an attitude of spirited discovery helps improve existing systems or create new ways of doing things. It stresses the skills and preparedness required for effective responsiveness within systems. It promotes wise action that allows us to work holistically with systems, to adopt a long-term perspective when needed, and to manage destructive emotions. It underscores the importance of a positive attitude to consistently act in systems intelligent ways. The reader can evaluate her strengths in Systems Intelligence by taking the SI-test at: www.systemsintelligence.aalto.fi/test The concept of Systems Intelligence was introduced in 2004 by Professors Raimo P. Hämäläinen and Esa Saarinen of Aalto University in Helsinki. Additional material on the concept of Systems Intelligence can be found at: www.systemsintelligence.aalto.fi
Author: Wallace J. Nichols
Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316252077
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 352
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Book Description
A landmark book by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols on the remarkable effects of water on our health and well-being. Why are we drawn to the ocean each summer? Why does being near water set our minds and bodies at ease? In BLUE MIND, Wallace J. Nichols revolutionizes how we think about these questions, revealing the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with compelling personal stories from top athletes, leading scientists, military veterans, and gifted artists, he shows how proximity to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety, and increase professional success. BLUE MIND not only illustrates the crucial importance of our connection to water-it provides a paradigm shifting "blueprint" for a better life on this Blue Marble we call home.
Author: David Benatar
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191516317
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 256
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Book Description
Most people believe that they were either benefited or at least not harmed by being brought into existence. Thus, if they ever do reflect on whether they should bring others into existence—-rather than having children without even thinking about whether they should—-they presume that they do them no harm. Better Never to Have Been challenges these assumptions. David Benatar argues that coming into existence is always a serious harm. Although the good things in one's life make one's life go better than it otherwise would have gone, one could not have been deprived by their absence if one had not existed. Those who never exist cannot be deprived. However, by coming into existence one does suffer quite serious harms that could not have befallen one had one not come into existence. Drawing on the relevant psychological literature, the author shows that there are a number of well-documented features of human psychology that explain why people systematically overestimate the quality of their lives and why they are thus resistant to the suggestion that they were seriously harmed by being brought into existence. The author then argues for the 'anti-natal' view—-that it is always wrong to have children—-and he shows that combining the anti-natal view with common pro-choice views about foetal moral status yield a 'pro-death' view about abortion (at the earlier stages of gestation). Anti-natalism also implies that it would be better if humanity became extinct. Although counter-intuitive for many, that implication is defended, not least by showing that it solves many conundrums of moral theory about population.
