Living Philosophy: Remaining Awake and Moving Toward Maturity in Complicated Times

People today hunger for what is variously called self-help, continuing education, lifespan development, spirituality--something fundamental that is missing in life today. This book is a fresh and highly practical presentation of a traditional Western resource to satisfy that need: Philosophy--as a relational practice through which we are able to live the good life, guided by the Socratic vision of human development and maturity. Out of encounter with the vitalities of Eastern culture, the feminist revolution, and the environmental movement, as well as movements toward "dialogue" in both philosophy and culture, the original Socratic practice of philosophy becomes available again.Living Philosophy is personal and experiential. It arises out of dialogue with widely recognized philosophers of our era. It provides practical steps, methods, recommendations, and examples for living the good life. It is concrete and empirical, rich in variety and interest.Living Philosophy is readily accessible to the general reader, whoever that person might be by other descriptions. It is non-technical. More importantly, it is written specifically for the contemporary reader who is too busy, yet at the same time who honors reading as practice that can have profoundly positive results. There is a "workbook" character to this book, with such features as dialogue questions at the end of each chapter, a Core Bibliography, and specific suggestions about the keeping of a philosophical journal.This book can help us live well in a new millennium in which the Dalai Lama calls for "inner disarmament of anger and jealously," and "a century of dialogue." This book participates in a revival of philosophy that is occurring in our time, giving us access to what is profoundly great in the Western tradition.