The Philosophy category has 1,858 audiobooks on Listento.it, with an average listener rating of 4.5★ across 25,891 ratings. The most-rated is 12 Rules for Life.
An Embarrassment of Riches
Summary
Tune into the news and you'll hear stories of war, disease, natural disasters, corruption, violence, poverty, crime, nuclear proliferation, terrorism and political dysfunction in Washington. Polls show many believe the American dream is fading, our children face limited opportunities, and the country is decidedly on the wrong track. Yet this dour perspective - one recycled 24/7 by the national media - is a gross distortion of the world we live in today. As national investment expert and best-selling author Alexander Green reveals in this engrossing and provocative new book, the human race has never had it so good. In the West today, we work shorter hours, have more purchasing power, enjoy goods and services in almost limitless supply, and have more leisure time than ever before. Living standards are the highest they have ever been. The human life span has nearly doubled over the past 100 years. Literacy and education levels - even IQs - are at all-time highs. Technology and medicine are revolutionizing our lives. All forms of pollution - with the exception of greenhouse gases - are in decline. Access to the arts has never been greater. Crime is in a long-term cycle of decline. And the risk of death by violence has never been smaller for most of humanity. By almost every measure, our lives today are wealthy beyond measure. We are all heir to an embarrassment of riches. Yet - thanks in large part the drumbeat of negative media coverage - most of us don't realize it. Green compares the average citizen to "a lottery winner whose ticket is lost in some upstairs drawer." The consequences of adopting the cynical but popular worldview are many, including needless pessimism, missed investment opportunities, and - surprisingly - even poorer health. Yet An Embarrassment of Riches provides a powerful antidote. Green begins with a robust survey of the many ways our lives are becoming longer, easier, safer, healthier and more prosperous. He then embarks on a wide-ranging exploration of the ideas and the many men and women - both living and dead - who are still enriching our lives today. Among the many subjects explored are American exceptionalism, the extraordinary power of economic freedom, the life-saving role of medicine and technology, the life-extending benefits of optimism, the radical theology of Thomas Jefferson, the keys to civility and greatness, the wisdom of Confucius and Aristotle, the ability of beauty to enrich our lives, and even one artist's thought-provoking take on "how to defeat death." In An Embarrassment of Riches, New York Times best-selling author Alexander Green offers a holistic approach to wealth - and offers a welcome perspective that allows us to live fuller, richer lives.
©2014 Alexander Green (P)2014 Audible Inc.
Fathoms
Summary
Finalist for the 2020 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction A “delving, haunted, and poetic debut” (The New York Times Book Review) about the awe-inspiring lives of whales, revealing what they can teach us about ourselves, our planet, and our relationship with other species. When writer Rebecca Giggs encountered a humpback whale stranded on her local beachfront in Australia, she began to wonder how the lives of whales reflect the condition of our oceans. Fathoms: The World in the Whale is “a work of bright and careful genius” (Robert Moor, New York Times best-selling author of On Trails), one that blends natural history, philosophy, and science to explore: How do whales experience ecological change? How has whale culture been both understood and changed by human technology? What can observing whales teach us about the complexity, splendor, and fragility of life on Earth? In Fathoms, we learn about whales so rare they have never been named, whale songs that sweep across hemispheres in annual waves of popularity, and whales that have modified the chemical composition of our planet’s atmosphere. We travel to Japan to board the ships that hunt whales and delve into the deepest seas to discover how plastic pollution pervades our earth’s undersea environment. With the immediacy of Rachel Carson and the lush prose of Annie Dillard, Giggs gives us a “masterly” (The New Yorker) exploration of the natural world even as she addresses what it means to write about nature at a time of environmental crisis. With depth and clarity, she outlines the challenges we face as we attempt to understand the perspectives of other living beings, and our own place on an evolving planet. Evocative and inspiring, Fathoms “immediately earns its place in the pantheon of classics of the new golden age of environmental writing” (Literary Hub).
©2020 Rebecca Giggs (P)2020 Simon & Schuster, Inc.
How to Kiss the Universe
Summary
How to Kiss the Universe describes the shocking spiritual trips of a journalist from his physical body all the way to the source of everything. These trips were powered by intention, love, and gratitude. This original and unique narrative is based on deep breakthrough meditations using modern technology. The book challenges traditional paradigms of the essence of human consciousness as portrayed either by science or religion. It recounts using not only biological physical bodies as vehicles, but also a variety of non-physical vehicles in other dimensions. The story covers all possible aspects of human consciousness which can travel without limits beyond local space and time. It details instant spiritual travels by the speed of thought throughout, and even out of the known universe. This non-fiction book, written in an exciting and entertaining fiction style describes sophisticated ways of relating to higher beings, like spirit guides and star friends who reside in non-physical realms. This is done by using non-verbal communication beyond the human senses. The narrative can help you find answers for your long-asked questions about the purpose of your life on this planet and about your spiritual past, present, and future. This true story will help you get rid of unnecessary conditioning and fears about your death and afterlife. You can learn from the narrative how you can conquer your ego and unleash your unimaginable internal powers. That can help you gain new unexpected internal freedoms and become a happier and more compassionate human being.
©2018 Jozef Simkovic (P)2019 Jozef Simkovic
Stoicism: The Ultimate Guide to Gain Resilience, Wisdom, Self Discipline, Calmness, and Critical Thinking Through the Teachings of Ancient Stoics
Summary
Achieve high-level wisdom, develop self-discipline, and learn Stoicism easily! Do you know those people who may seem like nothing can interrupt their inner peace? Those are the individuals who stay cool no matter what happens on the outside, no matter how extreme it is. How can they be so calm in the middle of storms? What is their secret? And can you learn it also? The stoics have lived more than 2000 years ago, but their philosophy is relevant to us also today. They believed that not only anyone can develop mental strength, but they developed an entire philosophy whose purpose is to make man stronger against the unexpected events of life. In this mind-blowing audiobook, you will learn about Stoicism, understand how to apply it in your individual life, and develop core confidence, self-esteem made of steel, and become a happy, calm individual, no matter what are the circumstances are! Here is what you can find inside: Discover the origin and the basics of stoicism Learn how to apply stoicism in your everyday life Effective self-discipline exercises Reveal the secret about happiness, and how to achieve it And much, much more! This audiobook will enlighten you, help you gain mental clarity, and even help you achieve your goals. All you have to do is to implement the ideas inside of it! Scroll up, click on "Buy Now with 1-Click", and get your copy now!
©2019 Theodore Scott (P)2019 Theodore Scott
Discourse on the Origin of Inequality
Summary
Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men by the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was originally written for an essay competition run by the Dijon Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1754. The question was, "What is the origin of inequality among men, and is it authorized by the natural law?" Rousseau's text is divided into four main parts: a dedication, preface, an extended inquiry into the nature of the individual, and another inquiry into the evolution of the human species within society. Rousseau discusses two types of inequality: natural inequality and moral inequality. Concerned with moral inequality, Rousseau contends that it is unique to civil society, is established by convention and is seen in differences in "wealth, nobility or rank, power and personal merit". Rousseau takes a cynical view of civil society, claiming that man has strayed from his "natural state" of individual independence and freedom to satisfy his individual needs and desires.
Public Domain (P)2020 Museum Audiobooks
Karma
Summary
“Full of valuable insights to guide you to live a life of fulfillment and well-being.” (Will Smith) • “A must-read.” (Tony Robbins) "This book will put you back in charge of your own life.” (Tom Brady) A new perspective on the overused and misunderstood concept of “karma” that offers the key to happiness and enlightenment, from the New York Times best-selling author and world-renowned spiritual master Sadhguru. What is karma? Most people understand karma as a balance sheet of good and bad deeds, virtues and sins. The mechanism that decrees that we cannot evade the consequences of our own actions. In reality, karma has nothing to do with reward and punishment. Karma simply means action: your action, your responsibility. It isn’t some external system of crime and punishment, but an internal cycle generated by you. Accumulation of karma is determined only by your intention and the way you respond to what is happening to you. Over time, it’s possible to become ensnared by your own unconscious patterns of behavior. In Karma, Sadhguru seeks to put you back in the driver’s seat, turning you from a terror-struck passenger to a confident driver navigating the course of your own destiny. By living consciously and fully inhabiting each moment, you can free yourself from the cycle. Karma is an exploration and a manual, restoring our understanding of karma to its original potential for freedom and empowerment instead of a source of entanglement. Through Sadhguru’s teachings, you will learn how to live intelligently and joyfully in a challenging world.
©2021 Sadhguru (P)2021 Random House Audio
Palghat Trails
Summary
Learn about the unique blend of culture, tradition, music, and food from this part of South India. More focus on the Palghat (also known as Palakkad) Brahmins (Iyers, specific to that location context), a community known for their unique traits and social contribution. This community is known for their ancient wisdom passed on into next generations by elders in the family. Their customs and traditions in clothing, food preparations, marriage, and even in death. Some parts of these are exclusive to Palghat Iyers. The audiobook mentions about some general topics in music and religion, common across many societies in Southern India. Palghat Iyers have the unique mix of religion and spirituality practiced in day to day living style. Most importantly, how they have adapted to modern technology society and still preserving the values that makes a man or woman into a humble human being! This audiobook is meant for western readers to orient themselves something they have never heard. The audiobook has visuals with images to explain the process and activities. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2020 Matt Ravikumar (P)2020 Matt Ravikumar
7 Thoughts to Live Your Life By: A Guide to the Happy, Peaceful, & Meaningful Life
Summary
The Powerful Thoughts That Will Lift You Higher
The Thoughts You let into Your life can make all the difference in the world.
They can drag you down or lift you higher and higher to better places than you could have dreamed of.
Many people focus on improving their habits, and this can be useful, but it is very difficult to make a long-lasting positive change when you don’t have the right thoughts in mind. With this book, you will learn what the right thoughts are, and they will help reveal the path to your best life.
The 7 Thoughts to Live Your Life By will provide you with the most compelling thoughts that have the power to help you make your dreams into a reality, find happiness, achieve success, overcome the obstacles on your path, and become your best self.
Internationally best-selling author I. C. Robledo discovered the seven thoughts after suffering through a dark depression. While meditating one day, he asked himself how he could live a better life and the seven thoughts came to him in a flash of insight. He transformed his life with the seven thoughts and would like to help you to do the same. These thoughts have also been found in religious and philosophical texts from the East to the West, and they have been supported through modern scientific findings.
Are You ready to tap into an eternal wisdom that transcends any single era, philosophy, religion, or culture?
Are You Ready to Awaken?
When you learn the seven thoughts and master them, you will be ready to awaken and be able to:
Consciously use the seven thoughts to create a good, happy, peaceful, and meaningful life
Understand that a simple thought holds immense power, and can have effects on the other side of the world
Be a great source of positive energy, and diminish or stop creating experiences of sorrow, anxiety, stress, and pain for yourself and for others
Turn a superpain into a superpower, meaning to convert painful, difficult, or negative experiences into superpowers, or positive and desirable experiences
Accept the now, love the now, and understand that the now is all there is, rather than needing things to be some other way
Discover your gift in order to give it away to the world
Align your thoughts, words, actions, beliefs, values, and desires to become a unified, happy, and transcendent being
Become a limitless being and shine with the stars with the seven thoughts to live your life by.
Pick up your copy today by scrolling to the top of the page and clicking the "BUY" button now.
©2018 Issac Robledo (P)2019 Issac Robledo
Cours de philosophie
Summary
Philosopher, c'est essayer de penser par soi-même, librement. Autant dire que c'est une nécessité pour chacun de nous. Nous philosophons tous, la plupart du temps sans le savoir. Au-delà du formatage des idées, des a priori et des luttes partisanes ou idéologiques, Émile Durkheim nous donne un véritable cours de philo, simple et accessible, pour nous initier à cette matière essentielle, intemporelle, universelle. Il commence par définir la philosophie, puis aborde quelques grands thèmes : la raison, le beau, l'esthétique, la conscience et la vérité.
©Compagnie du Savoir (P)Compagnie du Savoir
Crossing Topless: An Odyssey
Summary
Veteran film and TV actor John Rixey Moore takes a trip across the country in an open air buggy. Admitting that nature helps him realize that "the universe is conscious", and as philosophical as ever, he gives voice to thoughts along the way. If a brain is just a few pounds of goo, blood, and electricity, how does it manage to dream, to worry, contemplate itself, do time and motion studies, admire the shy paw of a cat, design ships, and enjoy all the grand and lesser mayhem of the heart? How can a neuron feel compassion? How do you begin with hydrogen and end up with buildings, neckties, jealousy, and chamber music?
©2019 Dr. Bettie Youngs (P)2019 Dr. Bettie Youngs
Knowing the Score
Summary
In Knowing the Score, philosopher David Papineau uses sports to illuminate some of modern philosophy's most perplexing questions. As Papineau demonstrates, the study of sports clarifies, challenges, and sometimes confuses crucial issues in philosophy. The tactics of road bicycle racing shed new light on questions of altruism while sporting family dynasties reorient the nature versus nurture debate. Why do sports competitors choke? Why do fans think God will favor their team over their rivals? How can it be moral to deceive the umpire by framing a pitch? From all of these questions and many more, philosophy has a great deal to learn. An entertaining and erudite book that ranges far and wide through the sporting world, Knowing the Score is perfect for armchair philosophers and Monday morning quarterbacks alike. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2017 David Papineau (P)2017 Hachette Audio
The Birth and Death of Meaning
Summary
The Birth and Death of Meaning uses the disciplines of psychology, anthropology, sociology, and psychiatry to explain what makes people act the way they do.
©1971 The Free Press (P)2020 Tantor
Truth and Toleration
Summary
Ayn Rand’s novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged gave birth to a movement based on her philosophy of objectivism. In The Contested Legacy of Ayn Rand, philosopher David Kelley explains why he broke ranks with orthodox objectivists and created an independent branch of the movement. Originally published in 1990 as a manifesto, the work has been revised as an analysis of the principles of the intellectual collaboration, toleration, and responsibility. It is an engaging introduction to the objectivist movement, its core ideas, and its central fissures. At the same time, it offers a case study in the sociology of intellectual movements and a frank discussion of the issues that arise whenever thinkers leave their studies to promote their ideas in the public realm.
©2019 David Kelley (P)2019 David Kelley
Have You Ever Wondered Why!
Summary
Do you want to find joy in the face of life's inevitable suffering? Do you want to learn how to free yourself from stress and anxiety and live a life brimming with joy? Then, keep reading.... “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” (Buddha) As the fourth with the largest number of believers globally, it is estimated that there are around 488 and 535 million Buddhists, which would represent eight percent of the world's population. Buddhists make up roughly one percent of the adult population in the United States, and about two-thirds of US Buddhists are Asian Americans. “Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” (Buddha) For centuries Buddhists and Hindus have used meditation as a tool to focus their energy inward to explore the mental state of joy, get rid of negative emotions and develop wisdom, compassion and improve well-being on an individual and societal level. Buddhism, thanks to the positive benefits it can offer to those who want to practice it, is becoming increasingly common. You will alleviate anxiety and tension and bring clarity and joy to your mind by following the principles of Buddhism and by practicing mindfulness meditation. In Have You Ever Wondered Why!, you will discover: Three simple but effective practice of mindful meditation technique in order to reduce stress and anxiety The core Buddhist principles and teachings explained in easy-to-understandable ideas Daily practices that anchor your emotional and spiritual lives. The values you should pursue if you want to follow Buddha's path The philosophical and scientific way of understanding and practicing the noble path of Buddhism. A historical time frame of renowned Buddhist events for the understanding of the evolution of this philosophy. The facts about karma and rebirth you do not know that can mould your life into spiritual enlightens. Buddhism stands apart as a succinct and realistic guide to infusing your life with its many teachings. If you are curious about Buddhism and want to find the answers you seek, then look no further than this qualitative guidebook. If you want to enjoy better focus and concentration, improved self-awareness and self-esteem, lower levels of stress and anxiety, and fostering kindness, then scroll up and click the "buy now" button.
©2021 Lee H. Thompson (P)2021 Lee H. Thompson
Real Zen for Real Life
Summary
What do you think of when you hear the word Zen? Many Westerners may associate Zen with the counterculture of the 1960s and '70s, while others may associate it with today’s hipster culture. Many use the word to simply mean laid-back and relaxed. But what does Zen really mean? Zen is a school of Buddhism and a rigorous spiritual discipline. To understand what Zen is really about, it is vital not only to study its profound philosophical teachings, but also to engage in the practice of Zen. The word Zen means meditation, and Zen meditation is a practice of “clearing the heart-mind”. For Zen, an open mind entails an open heart, and this open heart-mind is the source of both creativity and compassion. Professor Bret W. Davis, professor of philosophy and the T. J. Higgins, SJ, chair in philosophy at Loyola University Maryland, has created a highly accessible introduction to the philosophical concept of Zen with Real Zen for Real Life. Bringing the academic purview of a philosophy professor, the view of an academic scholar, and the spiritual experience of a practitioner and teacher of Zen, this course reflects the push and pull between Eastern and Western traditions and cultures with the goal of making the study and practice of Zen more accessible and engaging to all viewers. Over the course of 24 lessons, including the eight meditation checkups within lessons, you will learn both what Zen has traditionally meant for East Asians and what it can mean for contemporary Westerners. Prepare to be challenged as Professor Davis asks you to set aside your preconceptions in order to open yourselves to what Zen masters who lived in the past and in distant lands have to teach you. You will especially need to be open to the possibility that Zen may be able to teach you about yourself. This course aims to challenge and inspire you, both intellectually and personally. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2020 The Great Courses (P)2020 The Teaching Company, LLC
The Friedrich Nietzsche Collection
Summary
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900) has influenced philosophers such as Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Oswald Spengler, George Grant, Emil Cioran, Albert Camus, Ayn Rand, Jacques Derrida, Leo Strauss, Max Scheler, Michel Foucault and Bernard Williams. His writings on aesthetics, language, truth, morality, cultural theory, history, nihilism, power, and the meaning of existence have exerted a vast influence on Western philosophy and intellectual history. The Friedrich Nietzsche collection includes the following works: “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”, “Beyond Good and Evil”, “Ecce Homo: How One Becomes What One Is”, “The Antichrist”, “Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirit”, "The Future of Our Educational Institutions", “The Joyful Wisdom”, “We Philologists , ‘Twilight of the Idols”, “On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense”, “Untimely Meditations”, “Homer and Classical Philosophy”, “The Wanderer and his Shadow”, “On the Genealogy of Morals”, “The Case of Wagner”, “Nietzsche Contra Wagner”, “Selected Aphorisms from Nietzsche’s Retrospect of His Years of Friendship with Wagner”, “Assorted Opinions and Maxims”, “Dionysus Dithyrambs”, “The Birth of Tragedy”, “The Will to Power “, and “The Dawn of Day”.
Public Domain (P)2020 Museum Audiobooks
Congratulations, by the Way
Summary
New York Times best seller This inspiring meditation on kindness from the author of Lincoln in the Bardo is based on his popular commencement address. Three months after George Saunders gave a graduation address at Syracuse University, a transcript of that speech was posted on the website of The New York Times, where its simple, uplifting message struck a deep chord. Within days, it had been shared more than one million times. Why? Because Saunders’ words tap in to a desire in all of us to lead kinder, more fulfilling lives. Powerful, funny, and wise, Congratulations, by the Way is an inspiring message from one of today’s most influential and original writers. Praise for Congratulations, by the Way “As slender as a psalm, and as heavy.” (The New York Times) “The graduating college senior in your life probably just wants money. But if you want to impart some heartfelt, plainspoken wisdom in addition to a check, you can't do much better than [Congratulations, by the Way].” (Entertainment Weekly) “The loving selflessness that [George Saunders] advises and the interconnectedness that he recognizes couldn’t be purer or simpler - or more challenging.” (Kirkus Reviews) “Warm and tender.” (Publishers Weekly)
©2014 George Saunders (P)2014 Random House Audio
The World of Perception
Summary
The author was one of the most important thinkers of the postwar era. Central to his thought was the idea that human understanding comes from our bodily experience of the world that we perceive: a deceptively simple argument, perhaps, but one that he felt had to be made in the wake of attacks from contemporary science and the philosophy of Descartes on the reliability of human perception. From this starting point, the author presented these seven lectures on The World of Perception to French radio listeners in 1948. Available in a paperback English translation for the first time in the Routledge Classics series to mark the centenary of the author's birth, this is a dazzling and accessible guide to a whole universe of experience, from the pursuit of scientific knowledge through the psychic life of animals to the glories of the art of Paul Cézanne.
©2002 Maurice Merleau-Ponty (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd
The True Believer
Summary
A stevedore on the San Francisco docks in the 1940s, Eric Hoffer wrote philosophical treatises in his spare time while living in the railroad yards. The True Believer - the first and most famous of his books - was made into a best seller when President Eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences. Completely relevant and essential for understanding the world today, The True Believer is a visionary, highly provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and a penetrating study of how an individual becomes one.
©2002 Eric Hoffer (P)2020 House of Shawn Publications
The Dark Night of the Soul
Summary
At the center of The Dark Night of the Soul (La noche oscura del alma) is a poem written by the 16th century Spanish poet and mystic St John of the Cross. Consisting of eight stanzas, each of five lines, the poem outlines the journey in pursuit of divine union, within which the only source of light comes from the soul. This recording in English includes the poem itself and St John's two accompanying treatises (1584-1585), essentially commentaries, which offer line-by-line explanations of the poem. Many modern listeners have found guidance and consolation in this work. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Public Domain (P)2020 Naxos Audiobooks