One morning, as Gregor Samsa was waking up from anxious dreams, he discovered that in bed he had been changed into a monstrous vermin.

The sister whispered, "Gregor, open the door—I beg you." Gregor had no intention of opening the door, but congratulated himself on his precaution, acquired from traveling, of locking all doors during the night, even at home.

And for a little while longer he lay quietly with weak breathing, as if perhaps waiting for normal and natural conditions to re-emerge out of the complete stillness.

All right, people did not understand his words any more, although they seemed clear enough to him, clearer than previously, perhaps because his ears had gotten used to them. But at least people now thought that things were not all right with him and were prepared to help him. The confidence and assurance with which the first arrangements had been carried out made him feel good. He felt himself included once again in the circle of humanity and was expecting from both the doctor and the locksmith, without differentiating between them with any real precision, splendid and surprising results.

Imagining that all his efforts were being followed with suspense, he bit down frantically on the key with all the force he could muster. As the key turned more, he danced around the lock.

Gregor was now shut off from his mother, who was perhaps near death, thanks to him. He could not open the door, and he did not want to chase away his sister who had to remain with her mother. At this point he has nothing to do but wait, and overwhelmed with self-reproach and worry, he began to creep and crawl over everything.

It was clear to Gregor that his father had badly misunderstood Grete's short message and was assuming that Gregor had committed some violent crime or other.

As her hands reached to the back of his father's head and she begged him to spare Gregor's life.

He did not wish to let her go from his room any more, at least not as long he lived. his frightening appearance would for the first time become useful for him. He wanted to be at all the doors of his room simultaneously and snarl back at the attackers. However, his sister should not be compelled but would remain with him voluntarily.

Then the door of the bed room opened, and Mr. Samsa appeared in his uniform, with his wife on one arm and his daughter on the other. All were a little tear stained. Now and then Grete pressed her face onto her father's arm.

Growing more silent and almost unconsciously understanding each other in their glances, they thought that the time was now at hand to seek out a good honest man for her.

The Metamorphosis (German: Die Verwandlung, also sometimes translated as The Transformation) is a novella by Franz Kafka, first published in 1915. It has been called one of the seminal works of fiction of the 20th century and is studied in colleges and universities across the Western world. The story begins with a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, waking to find himself transformed (metamorphosed) into a large, monstrous insect-like creature. The cause of Gregor's transformation is never revealed, and Kafka himself never gave an explanation. The rest of Kafka's novella deals with Gregor's attempts to adjust to his new condition as he deals with being burdensome to his parents and sister, who are repelled by the horrible, verminous creature Gregor has become.

philosophy

Philosophy

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Career

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Mental Health

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Books

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Society, Arts & Culture

Franz Kafka

Metamorphosis

The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga offers a transformative perspective on happiness and self-empowerment.Through a philosophical dialogue, the book challenges the conventional belief that our happiness depends on others' approval or past experiences.Instead, it emphasizes the importance of living authentically, making conscious choices, and taking responsibility for our own lives.It inspires readers to embrace their true selves and live with courage, free from societal pressures and limiting beliefs.

Introduction

Many of us believe we are the result of our past. We say things like, “I’m like this because of what happened to me.” But in The Courage to Be Disliked, the authors challenge this idea.They say: you are not determined by your past. You are shaped by the choices you make now.Yes, the past may have left scars. Yes, it influenced how you think and feel. But it doesn’t have the power to decide your future unless you let it.You are not your mistakes.You are not your pain.You are not stuck.

Change yourself to be happy

Imagine carrying around a heavy bag filled with all your old stories—failures, regrets, disappointments. You’ve gotten used to the weight. But what if you could put that bag down? What if you could say, “That was part of my journey, but it’s not the whole story”?Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It means choosing to move forward. It means saying, “I get to decide who I become.”You can’t change the past, but you can change the meaning you give it. And with that, you can change your life.

Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff. Below is deep, cool water. Part of you wants to leap. But another part holds back. Fear whispers, What if I fall? That moment of hesitation—stuck between safety and possibility—is exactly how we often let emotions control our lives.Emotions matter. They help us understand what we need and what we care about. But problems begin when we let feelings decide everything. “I’m too scared.” “I’m still hurt.” “What if I fail?” These thoughts feel real—but they can become excuses that keep us stuck.

Don't let your emotions rule you

Some people live inside their past wounds. They say, “Because I was hurt before, I can’t move forward.” But healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means choosing to grow anyway.We all have a comfort zone. It feels safe, predictable. But true growth only happens when we step beyond it. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. Yes, it’s risky. But that’s where the magic is—where we meet our courage, our potential, our joy.The key is balance. Feel your emotions, don’t fight them—but don’t hand them the steering wheel. You are more than your fear, and your past.Take a leap to become who you truly want to be!

Picture a young man trying to please everyone—his parents, teachers, friends. He pushes himself to be the best, constantly comparing, constantly feeling not enough. The pressure is crushing, and joy feels out of reach.But what if he stopped chasing approval and started living for himself? This doesn’t mean ignoring others or being selfishIt means setting his own goals, choosing his own path, and deciding what success means on his own terms.You don’t have to compete with anyone. You don’t need to meet society’s idea of “perfect.”You just need to be you!

Live for yourself to find happiness

Often, we chase an ideal version of ourselves—flawless, successful, admired. But that version doesn’t exist.When we fall short, we feel like failures. But real peace comes from accepting who we are now—strengths, flaws, and all—and growing in ways that truly matter to us.You are not here to impress. You are here to live.When you let go of comparison and choose to grow for your own sake, that’s when happiness begins.

Imagine a friend criticizes your choices. It stings—you start doubting yourself.But what if you didn’t have to let their words control how you feel? What if their opinion was just that—an opinion—and not a verdict on your worth?This doesn’t mean ignoring feedback. It means recognizing that you choose how much power others’ words have over you. Criticism can break you—or it can help you grow. You decide.

You decide how much people affect you

Having the courage to be disliked is about staying true to yourself, even when others don’t approve. You don’t need to twist yourself into who they want you to be.Love painting, even if your friends don’t get it? Keep painting. Their raised eyebrows aren’t your problem.When you dare to be real, you attract real connections—people who accept you for you. That’s where true happiness lives.Remember, you can’t please everyone. But you can choose to please yourself, live honestly, and grow stronger every time you do.

We’re wired for connection. It’s through relationships—family, friends, even brief encounters—that we find joy, purpose, and meaning.So how do we build deep, fulfilling bonds? Start with three simple habits:1. Embrace yourself: Don’t hide your flaws out of fear. We’re all imperfect—and that’s human. When you accept yourself as you are and keep growing, confidence follows. And confidence invites connection.

Good relationships are key to a good life

2. Choose to trust: Fear of betrayal is real, but so is the power of trust. Believe in people’s goodness until proven otherwise. Trust opens doors; fear keeps them shut.3. Give generously: True fulfillment isn’t just in what we receive, but in what we give. A kind word, a helping hand, or just being present can change someone’s day—and your own.Great relationships start with you. Accept yourself, trust a little more, and give with heart. That’s how we build a life full of connection and happiness.

Imagine living in a world where society tells you what job to have, how to look, and even how to act. It's like wearing a mask that others gave you.Over time, you forget who you truly are and what you really want. This often leads to dissatisfaction, because you're not being your authentic self.But what if you had the courage to take off that mask and be you?Being true to yourself means accepting who you are, flaws and all, and chasing your dreams—even if they don't fit into society's expectations.

Be yourself and follow your dreams for fulfillment

Imagine always wanting to be a painter, but staying in a corporate job because it’s seen as “successful.” You might never feel fulfilled. But by following your passion, you might discover joy you never knew was possible.Real happiness isn’t just about chasing goals; it’s about enjoying the present moment too. Yes, keep working toward your dreams, but don’t forget to appreciate where you are today.So, the secret to fulfillment? Be yourself, pursue your dreams, and embrace the present. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. A life lived authentically is a life full of joy and meaning.

Happiness is a state of being, not a destination.It comes from being true to yourself and living by your values, not seeking approval from others.The key is choice—you can choose your attitude, actions, and how you respond to life. The courage to be disliked is about embracing authenticity, rejecting societal pressures, and living for yourself.It’s not always easy, but with self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-improvement, you can live a life full of purpose, meaning, and true happiness.

Conclusion

Explore a revolutionary Japanese philosophy that guides you how to break free the chains of societal expectations, embrace your individuality, and find true happiness.

A single book can change your life. Already an enormous bestseller in Asia, with more than 3 million copies sold, The Courage to be Disliked demonstrates how to unlock the power within yourself to be the person you truly want to be. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, it follows an illuminating conversation between a philosopher and a young man. The philosopher explains to his pupil how each of us is able to determine our own lives, free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. It's a way of thinking that's deeply liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change, and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselves. The result is a book that is both highly accessible and profound in its importance. Millions have already read and benefited from its wisdom. Now that The Courage to be Disliked has been published for the first time in English, so can you

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Personal Development

mindfulness

Mindfulness

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

Ichiro KISHIMI Philosopher, Adlerian psychologist and translator of English and German languages. Born in 1956.M.A.in philosophy from Kyoto University. Director of the Japanese Society of Adlerian psychology. Former counselor at Maeda Clinic in Kyoto and has taught philosophy and ancient Greek at various institutions such as Kyoto University of Education and Nara Women's University. He presently teaches educational psychology and clinical psychology at Meiji School of Oriental Medicine in Suita, Osaka. Kishimi now has his own private counseling office in Kameoka, Kyoto, and devotes his time to giving lectures on Adlerian Psychology and child education.

Ichiro Kishimi

Fumitake Koga is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Fumitake Koga has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Fumitake Koga's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Fumitake Koga

The Courage to Be Disliked

“It is more random than we think, and we are less smart than we think.”

Success in finance often looks like brilliance—but randomness loves to wear a suit. Many top performers are just beneficiaries of probability. The scary part? They don’t even know it. And neither do we.

Did You Win… or Did You Just Get Lucky?

We see the winners, not the thousands who tried and vanished. Books, media, markets—all glorify survivors. But the silent graveyard of failures carries the real story: randomness devours most.

Where Are the Failures?

Our brains crave patterns and meaning. We invent neat stories after the fact, even if the outcome was pure chance. It comforts us—but misleads us. Reality rarely fits into clean plots.

The Storytelling Trap

“Heroes are heroes because they are heroic in behavior, not because they won or lost.”

Most of what moves markets is invisible noise dressed as signal. We think we’re reacting to skill or trend, but often we’re just dancing to chaos. And mistaking it for music.

The Enemy You Can’t See

The confident trader who’s “always right” might just be riding a lucky streak. Overconfidence + randomness = explosive risk. The worst part? He might actually believe he’s in control.

The Most Dangerous Person in the Room

Accept that you don’t know. Respect randomness. Make decisions that survive the unexpected. True wisdom is less about being right, more about not being ruined when you’re wrong.

How to Play the Game Without Being Played

Mild success can be explainable by skills and labor. Wild success is attributable to variance.

Once you see randomness for what it is, everything changes. You stop worshipping false gods. You start asking better questions. And most importantly, you stop mistaking luck for destiny.

Seeing the Matrix

Fooled by Randomness is a standalone book in Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s landmark Incerto series, an investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision-making in a world we don’t understand. The other books in the series are The Black Swan, Antifragile, Skin in the Game, and The Bed of Procrustes. Fooled by Randomness is the word-of-mouth sensation that will change the way you think about business and the world. Nassim Nicholas Taleb–veteran trader, renowned risk expert, polymathic scholar, erudite raconteur, and New York Times bestselling author of The Black Swan–has written a modern classic that turns on its head what we believe about luck and skill. This book is about luck–or more precisely, about how we perceive and deal with luck in life and business. Set against the backdrop of the most conspicuous forum in which luck is mistaken for skill–the world of trading–Fooled by Randomness provides captivating insight into one of the least understood factors in all our lives. Writing in an entertaining narrative style, the author tackles major intellectual issues related to the underestimation of the influence of happenstance on our lives. The book is populated with an array of characters, some of whom have grasped, in their own way, the significance of chance: the baseball legend Yogi Berra; the philosopher of knowledge Karl Popper; the ancient world’s wisest man, Solon; the modern financier George Soros; and the Greek voyager Odysseus. We also meet the fictional Nero, who seems to understand the role of randomness in his professional life but falls victim to his own superstitious foolishness. However, the most recognizable character of all remains unnamed–the lucky fool who happens to be in the right place at the right time–he embodies the “survival of the least fit.” Such individuals attract devoted followers who believe in their guru’s insights and methods. But no one can replicate what is obtained by chance. Are we capable of distinguishing the fortunate charlatan from the genuine visionary? Must we always try to uncover nonexistent messages in random events? It may be impossible to guard ourselves against the vagaries of the goddess Fortuna, but after reading Fooled by Randomness we can be a little better prepared. Named by Fortune One of the Smartest Books of All Time A Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

moneyandinvestments

Money & Investments

business

Business

Nassim Nicholas Taleb is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Nassim Nicholas Taleb has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Nassim Nicholas Taleb's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Fooled by Randomness

In a world that constantly pushes us to go faster, do more, and chase perfection, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected. But what if the path to a better life isn't about doing more, but doing things more mindfully?Japan, with its deep-rooted cultural traditions, offers powerful yet simple philosophies that gently guide us toward balance, purpose, and peace. These aren’t just abstract ideas—they are everyday wisdoms you can apply to your money, your mindset, and your lifestyle.

Kaizen means “continuous improvement.” Not through big leaps, but small, steady steps. Imagine saving just a bit more each month, learning something new every day, or changing one habit at a time. That’s Kaizen. It’s the power of compounding—not just money, but effort.Success doesn’t have to be flashy. Often, it’s quiet. Just like water wearing down rock, small actions, repeated daily, shape your life. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Improve 1% today. Then again tomorrow. Over time, these small wins become your biggest victories.

1. Kaizen – Tiny Steps, Massive Change

Wabi-Sabi is about finding beauty in the imperfect, the worn, and the real. That chipped mug you love? That quirky habit you have? That past mistake? All part of your story. We live in a world chasing perfection—but real joy comes from accepting things as they are.Life, money, relationships—they’re all messy sometimes. And that’s okay. Wabi-Sabi teaches us to love the cracks, because that’s where the light comes in. Instead of fixing every flaw, start appreciating the charm of what’s already there.

2. Wabi-Sabi – Beauty in Imperfection

Shoshin is approaching life with the wonder of a beginner. Even if you’re an expert, stay open, curious, and humble. In finances, relationships, or personal growth, thinking you “already know” stops you from learning.A beginner’s mind asks questions, explores, listens. It’s not naïve—it’s wise. The world is always changing. Stay teachable. Let every day be a class. The more you learn, the more you realize how much more there is to discover.

3. Shoshin – The Beginner’s Mind

Ikigai is your reason to get up in the morning. It lies where your passions, talents, the world’s needs, and your income meet. It doesn’t have to be a job. It could be raising kids, painting, gardening, or helping others. When you live with Ikigai, even small actions feel meaningful.Your life feels aligned, full. Finding Ikigai isn’t about pressure—it’s about paying attention. What energizes you? What do you do well? Start there. You don’t find purpose all at once. You uncover it little by little, by following joy.

4. Ikigai – Your Reason for Being

Shinrin-Yoku means “forest bathing.” It’s not exercise—it’s presence. Walking slowly through trees. Listening to birds. Breathing in deeply. It’s a reset button for your body and mind. In our fast, screen-filled lives, we forget how healing nature is.Just 15 minutes outside can lower stress, spark creativity, and remind you that you’re part of something bigger. No forest nearby? A park or even a plant can work. Slow down. Step outside. Let nature help you find calm.

5. Shinrin-Yoku – Nature is the Cure

Oubaitori comes from the idea that cherry, plum, peach, and apricot trees all bloom in their own time. So should we. Stop comparing your timeline, job, wealth, or life path to others’.It’s not a race. Everyone grows differently. You’re not behind. You’re just on your path. Instead of envy, try admiration. Instead of comparison, try gratitude. You’re doing fine. Keep blooming.

6. Oubaitori – No Comparisons Needed

Gaman is the quiet strength to endure tough times with grace.It’s not weakness—it’s resilience. When money is tight, when life is unfair, when things fall apart—Gaman holds you steady.It doesn’t mean bottling emotions. It means keeping your dignity. Breathe. Adapt. Trust that storms pass. And when they do, you’ll be stronger, calmer, wiser. Gaman reminds you: patience is strength in disguise.

7. Gaman – Inner Strength and Patience

Mottainai is a sense of regret over waste—of time, energy, money, or resources.It teaches mindfulness. Don’t throw away food when others are hungry. Don’t waste hours scrolling when you could be learning. Don’t let your talents go unused. Whether it’s a leftover meal, a budget, or your potential—everything has value.Be grateful. Use wisely. Live with less waste and more awareness.

8. Mottainai – Waste Nothing

Yuugen is the feeling of awe from something too deep for words—a sunset, a poem, or a quiet moment that stirs your soul. It reminds us that not all value can be seen or explained. Your most important experiences often don’t make it to social media.The best parts of life are often felt, not flaunted. Protect the quiet magic. Trust that the unseen is just as powerful as the visible.

9. Yuugen – The Beauty Beyond Words

Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery with gold.Instead of hiding cracks, it highlights them—making the item more beautiful. Your setbacks? Your heartbreaks? They’re part of your story. They don’t reduce your worth—they add to it.Your scars are proof you’ve healed. Embrace them. You’re not broken. You’re golden.

10. Kintsugi – Scars Made of Gold

Mono no Aware is the bittersweet awareness that everything is temporary.That’s what makes moments special. A cherry blossom falls. A child grows up. A perfect day ends. Instead of clinging or rushing, Mono no Aware invites us to feel—to fully live in the present, knowing it won’t last. It’s not sad—it’s tender.In money and life, learn to appreciate the now. Every season has its beauty.

11. Mono no Aware – Cherish the Fleeting

Nemawashi means “laying the groundwork.”Before you move a tree, you prepare the roots. Before big life changes—like a career shift or investment—you research, talk, plan. This quiet prep makes big actions smoother.Don’t rush into change. Plant the ideas, build the support, grow the roots. Change that lasts begins with care, not chaos.Prepare gently—and act boldly.

12. Nemawashi – Quiet Preparation

This video brings together 12 timeless Japanese principles, each beautifully practical in its own way.Whether it’s learning to take small steps with Kaizen, finding purpose through Ikigai, or embracing your imperfections with Kintsugi, these lessons invite you to live with intention—not perfection.You don’t need to be a monk or minimalist to benefit from these ideas. You just need a bit of curiosity and the willingness to pause, reflect, and grow.

12 pieces of Japanese wisdom that offer insights on managing finances, living intentionally, and finding contentment in life.

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Hi, if you're new to my videos my name is Tae Kim.  In the classic fable The Tortoise and the Hare, the tortoise didn’t win by being the fastest—he won by being consistent. Step by step, he kept moving forward. And when it comes to building wealth, the same principle applies. It's not about speed—it's about steady progress over time.

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12 Pieces Of Japanese Wisdom To Master Your Money & Life

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Philosophy is associated with wisdom: etymologically, the term ‘philosophy’ is derived from the Greek, meaning ‘lover of wisdom’.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Philosophy is the child of wonder and curiosity about the world.</li></ul>

What is Philosophy?

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle (this Athenian triumvirate) are of astonishing and continuing influence over Western philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy and, one-time, the sciences when subsumed as ‘natural philosophy’.

The Athenian Triumvirate

The Pre-Socratics are philosophers prior to Socrates. Much of their work is lost but they were highly influential – two notables being Heraclitus and Parmenides.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Heraclitus announced that you cannot step into the same river twice for waters are always changing. A quick response is: you cannot even step into the same river once.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Parmenides, in a poem, The Way Truth, argued that all is one and unchanging. It met support via Zeno of Elea’s motion paradoxes: how can you reach that wall? First you need to go half-way, then half of the remainder, then half the new remainder, and so on. </li></ul>

The Pre-Socratics

Socrates was an intellectual gadfly, stinging the complacency of the rich and powerful – of those who thought they knew. Found guilty of corrupting the young and of impiety, he was sentenced to death by hemlock, and declined to escape. Most of what we know about him derives from his greatest pupil, Plato.

Socrates (469–399 BC)

All subsequent philosophy has been described as a footnote to Plato. Plato looked be- yond this world of ever-changing appearances, to un- changing ‘forms’ or ideas. He suggested recipes for the good life, radical ideas for society – women on a par with men – and offered thoughts on love, desire and mind.

Plato (429–347 BC)

Aristotle, Plato’s greatest pupil, was the first formal logician, engaged in considerable scientific researches, and even taught Alexander who became Alex- ander the Great. In Raphael’s painting The School of Athens, Plato points upwards and Aristotle downwards – for Plato sought reality beyond appearances, arguably with a touch of mysticism, whereas Aristotle was down to earth.

Aristotle (384–322 BC)

The philosophical perplexity here is how we find room for free will in nature. It takes some credulity to insist that human beings have evolved such that they stand outside the laws of nature, outside the natural world. That insistence would have humans forming, in Spinoza’s mocking terms, ‘a kingdom within a kingdom’.

Free Will

Spinoza saw God and Nature as one and the same substance; such heresy, as noted earlier, made him unpopular with Christians and his fellow Jews. According to Spinoza, human beings, as with other creatures – and trees, mountains and, no doubt, marmalade – are solely modifications of ‘God or Nature’, as waves are modifications of the ocean, falling under natural laws, no more able to do otherwise than pebbles in flight.

Spinoza's View on God and Nature

Existentialism covers a range of philosophers and artists, many of whom were unaware of the term. Philosophers tend to fall under the existentialist label if they focus on the singularity and uniqueness of each human being, rather than searching for common human qualities or ‘the’ way of life. They may stress the anguish, the anxiety, of human existence, through the need to make choices, to treat ourselves as free in the values we espouse.

Existentialism

Morality requires that we perceive ourselves as autonomous agents who can choose to do what we ought to do: ‘ought’ implies ‘can’.

Morality

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">In fact – and in truth – many of our descriptions carry valuations within.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Many things that we say about the world have intertwined within both descriptive and evaluative elements – and it is perhaps a mistake to think that those elements can be separated.</li></ul>

Our Sayings

Rawls extracts from under the veil a first rabbit: consent to liberty. We should seek equal freedom, autonomy, to run our lives as we want without harming others. That leads to valuing political liberty of thought and expression, free association and, indeed, ownership of personal property.

Consent to Liberty (1/2)

But behind the veil, our consent to the utilitarian goal, for example, would be irrational for it risks my enduring significant loss, if society’s overall happiness would result. We should, though, see the need for general educational and welfare provisions, and hence for lives being, to some extent, intruded upon to help others – the ill, the poor, the untalented – for we may be amongst those others.

Consent to Liberty (2/2)

Curiously, people are typically more comfortable with accepting some knowledge of the past than of the future. Perhaps we can see into the past through memory. Because of light’s travelling time, we perceive distant stars as they were millennia ago. Future events, though, do not yet exist – are not now.

Past and Future

We must accept some beliefs as true, in order to assess others. That does not rule out revisiting those accepted beliefs for assessment.

How to Assess Other Beliefs?

Inductive reasoning relies on nature having certain uniformities across the observed and the unobserved; but what can justify belief in such uniformities? There is sometimes the thought that if the inductive premiss covers numerous observed items, then it is at least likely that all items that are F are G. That thought merits challenge: knowledge of that likelihood would require knowing the total number of F items, observed and unobserved – even throughout the whole universe.

Inductive Reasoning

Scientific theories rely in some way on observations. The theories involve universal generalizations, expressions of so-called laws of nature assumed to apply across the universe, be they concerning forces, acceleration and mass, or relationships between pressures and volumes of gases, or boiling points of liquids and efficacy of antibiotics.

Scientific Theory (1/2)

The term ‘theory’ need convey no doubt or speculation. Reflect on the huge successes of numerous scientific theories and applications, from electrical equipment to medical treatments to transportation. How do we account for such seeming scientific knowledge, if induction lacks good justification?

Scientific Theory (2/2)

As implied with the swan tale, a hypothesis does not confront the world alone. When some disturbing evidence is encountered, we may cling to the tested hypothesis and revise either auxiliary generalizations assumed true or our beliefs about the initial conditions.

Hypothesis (1/2)

If a theory predicts that the new cosmetic developed will cause cell changes, then if the changes fail to materialize, maybe the theory was mistaken – but maybe the tested skin types were other than thought or the testing apparatus unreliable. Readers may recall physics lessons: if experiments failed to deliver expected results, the experiments (or experimenters) were assumed faulty, not that the relevant scientific theory had been falsified.

Hypothesis (2/2)

Once we gaze at the gap between evidence and what the evidence is for, we may reason that it must be illusory: there can exist nothing on the other side of the evidence. The gap is pure emptiness. All that I have to go on are my own experiences, so how can I judge what, if anything, is beyond them? The sceptical conclusion may be stronger than that question hints.

The Gap between Evidence and What the Evidence is for

Pascal argued that it is rational to believe in God. On the one hand, if you do so believe and there is a God, you have the likelihood of eternal bliss; if there is no God, you have wasted a few Sundays through confessions and foregone some small delights. On the other hand, if you are a non-believer and there is a God, then eternal damnation threatens, the possibility of which easily swamps the non-believing pleasures and your religion-free Sundays.

Pascal's View on God (1/2)

That reasoning is glib, for which God, which rituals, should you support? Even if the reasoning is sound, it does not itself enable you to believe in God – for you cannot just switch on belief. You may, though, seek genuine believers, hoping that their belief is contagious. Despite unworthy initial motives, you may become a genuine believer, passing any divine test for sincere belief.

Pascal's View on God (2/2)

Philosophy is the love of wisdom and wisdom is meant to be beyond mere cleverness and knowledge; it is meant to open eyes to what is important, to meaning, to values. Now, most academic philosophers these days, in their academic labours, rarely reach or even try to reach such eye-opening understanding; they may even question what constitutes that understanding.

So... What is Philosophy?

Philosophy, the “love of wisdom”, is the product of our endless fascination and curiosity about the world – the child of wonder. Through it, we seek to answer the most fundamental of questions: How do we know what we know? Does God exist? What is beauty? How should we live our lives? What am I? In this exhilarating tour, Peter Cave navigates all the main topics of philosophy with verve and clarity. Using witty and whimsical examples, including stoical sofas and Reg, the “regular” human, who just happens to carry his brain in a rucksack, Cave provides a welcome antidote to the dry textbook while covering everything from political philosophy to points of logic. Interspersed with helpful textboxes and underlining the enduring relevance of philosophy to us all, there is no better introduction for the aspiring sage.

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

history

History

Peter Cave

Short absence quickens love, long absence kills it.

Temperate anger well becomes the wise.

Nothing is so good as it seems beforehand.

Proverbs are potted wisdom.

Choose an author as you choose a friend.

For converse among men, beautiful persons have less need of the mind's commending qualities. Beauty in itself is such a silent orator, that it is ever pleading for respect and liking, and, by the eyes of others is ever sending to their hearts for love. Yet even this hath this inconvenience in it—that it makes its possessor neglect the furnishing of the mind with nobleness. Nay, it oftentimes is a cause that the mind is ill.

Luminous escapes of thought.

Submission is the only reasoning between a creature and its Maker; and contentment in his will is the best remedy we can apply to misfortunes.

Heaven gives its favorites early death.

Too early fitted for a better state.

Poverty is hard, but debt is horrible; a man might as well have a smoky house and a scolding wife, which are said to be the two worst evils of our life.

The thirst of desire is never filled, nor fully satisfied.

The man's desire is for the woman; but the woman's desire is rarely other than for the desire of the man.

How strangely easy difficult things are!

If you believe in evil, you have done evil.

Too much noise deafens us; too much light blinds us; too great a distance or too much of proximity equally prevents us from being able to see; too long and too short a discourse obscures our knowledge of a subject; too much of truth stuns us.

To a father who loves his children victory has no charms. When the heart speaks, glory itself is an illusion.

We hate some persons because we do not know them; and we will not know them because we hate them.

The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.

Many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind than in the one where they sprung up. That which was a weed in one intelligence becomes a flower in the other, and a flower again dwindles down to a mere weed by the same change. Healthy growths may become poisonous by falling upon the wrong mental soil, and what seemed a night-shade in one mind unfolds as a morning-glory in the other.

Old ideas are prejudices, and new ones caprices.

He who knows much has much to care for.

He who cherishes his old knowledge, so as continually to acquire new, he may be a teacher of others.

Conversation never sits easier than when we now and then discharge ourselves in a symphony of laughter; which may not improperly be called the chorus of conversation.

The laughers are a majority.

Life is a quaint puzzle. Bits the most incongruous join into each other, and the scheme thus gradually becomes symmetrical and clear; when, lo! as the infant clasps his hands, and cries, "See, see! the puzzle is made out," all the pieces are swept back into the box—black box with the gilded nails!

Logic is the art of convincing us of some truth.

Reproduction of the original: Pearls of Thought by Maturin M. Ballou

Pearls of Thought

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