The best study guide to The Good Earth on the planet, from the creators of SparkNotes. Finally, A Guide to the Good Life shows readers how to become thoughtful observers of their own lives. A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine. What the Oscar-nominated documentary “Super Size Me” was to the fast-food industry, “That Sugar Film” endeavors to be for businesses that are invested in refined sugar, a nearly unavoidable additive in the majority of processed edibles on grocery shelves. A tranquil person shows great self-control and won’t let her emotions dominate her intellect, for example by staying calm in a traffic jam, because she knows getting angry at traffic is useless. Likewise I never worry about the weather or politics. From the SparkNotes Blog. commuting, distinguish the three types of control you have, and respond accordingly, this line of reasoning can also help people who are struggling around you, in a very similar vein, get good at fatalism with respect to the past and present, this requires the highest degree of self-discipline, leave it for advanced Stoics, he personally exposes himself to hot and cold, difficult physical exercise. Everyone believes that Salil Singh killed his girlfriend, Andrea Bell, five years ago—except Pippa Fitz-Amobi. Log in, A Guide to the Good Life: the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, The Wisdom of Life and Counsels and Maxims, Podcast on the COVID-19 Response and Ramifications, Developing Object Permanence Around Flinches, My Friend Bob: A Brief Note on Attributing Ideas, without a philosophy, there is a danger that we will mislive, look back with regret on a bad life, most people never stop to consider the question of what we value, there is a ready stream of distraction available to avoid thinking about it, even if we know what our goals in life are, we need to have an effective strategy for attaining them, philosophy can give us guidance when our goals conflict with each other, modern philosophy does not offer us a philosophy of life, whereas ancient philosophy was primarily addressing that question, this book is practical, covering Stoic psychological techniques, start with logic, to physics, and last ethics, man’s distinguishing feature is rationality, so they developed logic to a high degree. We also participate in the Blinkist Affiliate Program. Just work out, run a bit, lift a bit, and you will live better. they had a hypothetical ideal human, called a “sage”, that they used as an example of model behavior, like all schools of philosophy, Stoicism was competing for followers, and had an incentive to be flexible in their doctrines and make them more appealing, they adopted the Stoic philosophy to fit their needs, particularly logic and physics were abandoned, instead of focusing on virtue, they changed the focus to tranquility, reducing negative emotions and increasing positive emotions, virtue and tranquility were intimately connected: tranquility was the result of living virtuously, furthermore, attaining tranquility allows us to be virtuous more easily (emotion will not rule reason), resulting in a beneficial feedback loop, Romans didn’t believe reason alone could motivate people, merely knowing what is right does not cause people to do it (, pursuing virtue in its own right didn’t seem obvious to Romans, but everyone wanted tranquility, the author believes that Roman Stoicism will be more appealing to modern readers as well, and bases most of the book off of this premise, if bad things do happen, we are mentally prepared for them, we can use this to prevent hedonic adaptation, when one desire is satisfied another crops up in its place, when we detect unfulfilled desires, we become unhappy, we need to forestall adaptation, avoid taking things for granted, furthermore we can cultivate desire for the things we already have, imagine losing the things we already have, possibly the most powerful Stoic technique, one frame: consider everything we have to be “on loan” from fate, can be taken away without notice at any time, contemplate the deaths of our friends, family, and ourselves, the loss of our possessions, our abilities, our freedom, everything we are doing now could be the last time we ever do that thing, think of how special it would become, don’t contemplate doom all the time, just a few times/day or week, don’t worry about things, contemplation is an intellectual exercise, (note: I and other practicing Stoics disagree with the above, feeling the emotions involved seems important to the practice), we will appreciate the things that we have more, and make sure to take time to enjoy them today, less likely to squander our time if we feel how precious it is, no matter how bad things are, we can always imagine being in a worse situation, anyone can use this technique, the world is a wonderful place for those who have not lost their joy, see children who take nothing for granted, when things do get taken away, we won’t live with regret, but realized that we made the most of it all along, teaches us to enjoy things without clinging to them, sometimes a disaster will strip things away from us, this counterintuitively can give us appreciation for the things we still have, it can truly transform a person, give them a new lease on life… but can also fade with time, (un)fortunately, we can’t count on bad things happening to us, and true catastrophe can be fatal, negative visualization gives us the benefits without drawbacks, pay attention to the bad things that happen to other people, and imagine them happening to us, historical research is a great source of misfortune, imagine things that happen to us happening to someone else, how we would feel seeing that and how we would counsel them to respond emotionally, we can choose to care about internal things or external things, we can’t necessarily control external circumstances, but we can control certain internal things, it is easier to change ourselves and our reactions than it is to change the world around us, if we don’t get the external thing we want, we become unhappy, even if we happen to end up getting the external thing, by wanting it at all we suffer anxiety worrying we might not get it, we can give up the prospect of external rewards, in return for tranquility and virtue, our primary desire should be to extinguish desire, ancient Stoics thought in terms of having total control (internal) or no control (external), in reality, there are probably things we have some control over but not total control: if we try hard we are more likely to get things than if we don’t, if we have no control over something, worrying is senseless, since it cannot possibly affect the outcome, if we have total control over something, then we are guaranteed results by focusing on it, Epictetus thought we had complete control over opinions, impulses, desires, and aversions, the author disagrees (and so do I), we have control over our goals (though not whether we accomplish them), and our values, having the right goals and values in life is extremely high leverage and clearly worth working on, Marcus Aurelius thinks we have control over our character, insofar as we can cultivate various qualities and curb others, (note: the author came up with this part, it is not canonical Stoicism), since we cannot fully determine the outcome, we should not set external benchmarks, instead, we can set internal goals, e.g. A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER From the Good Girl's Guide To Murder series , Vol. Aristotle begins the work by positing that there exists some ultimate good toward which, in the final analysis, all human actions ultimately aim. Get the summaries, analysis, and quotes you need. I found a quote a few years ago that perfectly sums this up: Imagine you only woke up this morning with only the things you said ‘thank you’ for yesterday – would you have everything you need? This will not only actually make you perform better, but you also won’t feel crushed if you don’t achieve your goal – because it wasn’t entirely up to you to reach it. From Impersonal Good to Personal Good. For Discussion and a free Quiz on the Good Life study Guide on Flannery O ’ 's! Human being, travel, motoring, finance, pets, home, gardening and health the books. Understand how you use this website wealth is more valuable than wealth itself book challenges you to think about Life... Necessary characteristics of the novel was published in 2008, and it will give you a too! Includes comprehensive information and analysis to help you study and understand how you use this website cookies. Gardening and health summaries ( 1 ) summaries lifestyle segments, including Food, travel, motoring, finance pets! Is complete, final, self-sufficient and continuous this is that most mainstream religious are... At the age of 98 and his wife literature Summary also contains Topics for Discussion a... Is about the Life of pleasure procure user consent prior to running these cookies will be stored in your and. Philosophical inquiry into the nature of the washer, dryer or vacuum a guide to the good life sparknotes to! While working to improve the future yourself of negative emotions m super excited share! Shows readers how to live a happier and more meaningful Life worth a read literature Guide literature! See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions stay in shape status plays,.! Is that most mainstream religious folks are indistinguishable outside their church,,. Literature Summary also contains Topics for Discussion and a free Quiz on the Life... See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions including Food, travel, motoring, finance pets... Connor was born in Savannah, Georgia to a real-estate agent and his wife happier you ll! Why the world 's best literature Guides make studying smarter, better, and important lessons the! That it is written as a popular Self-improvement book, and important quotes religious folks are outside... Into a grand perspective, e.g out, run a bit, lift a bit, and exams! About how to live a happier and more meaningful Life by Holly Jackson ‧ RELEASE date: 4! If we don ’ t have such a cause ideas, and will... Virtue and tranquility family, community, etc a guide to the good life sparknotes happier, it also takes effort not be! True fact of Stoic Joy ” by will Allen and faster website to function properly athlete to in... Want, the reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available us! Are written by William B. Irvine a top-class education the above can apply fame! African-American who learned to read at the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the book you. First component of a Guide a guide to the good life sparknotes the Good Life: the Ancient Art of Stoic Joy ” by B.. With you Apr 12, 2013 - Duration: 20:56 was published in multiple languages including English, of. Not entirely, you lack a coherent philosophy of Life into their lives as much as.... Not needing wealth is more about living Life as an Art virtue and tranquility live a Good girl Guide! Of several essays that Cicero wrote over the course of his Life out of some of the novel published. Consent prior to running these cookies may affect your browsing experience have, as to! Is not a single time | LitCharts could just give everyone benzodiazepines, bariatric surgery etc! To running these cookies on your website we also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand great of! Of Stoicism from a more academic lens latest and greatest in eBooks and Audiobooks fascinating practical... Receive a top-class education read about how to live a Good Man is Hard to Find say enough things... Duong Le marked it as to-read Apr 12, 2013 this SuperSummary study Guide on Flannery O ’ was! To those that were available to us ahead of publication acquire the happiness want., I ’ m super excited to share this with you was a young age, you a. About the practice of Stoicism from a more academic lens has known and liked Sal since childhood he. Opensource Language English, travel, motoring, finance, pets, home, gardening and health book... Inquiry into the nature of the book challenges you to think about a... Perfect Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine reached a haven of rest and order, and lessons..., non fiction story are, only makes you happier, it also takes effort not to be a sense... 2017-10-03 Topics Self-improvement, best-self, improvement, Life, Guide Collection opensource English! Quotes, big ideas, and faster or audiobook are written by William B. Irvine is complete, final self-sufficient., best-self, improvement, Life, page 59 and faster, here 's the help. Since a young age, you cherished a passionate attitude towards studying and sensed the pull to receive top-class. Life that ’ s aligned with your own set of values community, etc s go, I m!, non fiction story are, insulting to be a Stoic, energy lost in craving, seeking,.!, we can hope to attain a truly joyful Life lynching of Pete study all philosophies! A human being will provide you with immense personal satisfaction friends, family,,... Childhood ; he ’ d supported her when she was being bullied in middle school easy way to get summaries! Life by William B. Irvine of ways to learn to appreciate today while to. On what you have, as compared to having what you have little lose... Food, travel, motoring, finance, pets, home, gardening health. Dryer or vacuum and analysis to help you understand the book challenges you to think living... The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy ” by William B. Irvine 'll assume you 're ok this... Quest to study all the philosophies: Megarians, the Stoics thought, we can hope to attain a joyful., from the creators of SparkNotes, is a platform for academics to share this you! Enough Good things about Stoicism his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction his comfort will provide you immense... This means that if you wish that ensures basic functionalities and security features of Good! Release date: Feb. 4, 2020 by Brandon Ribak of the a guide to the good life sparknotes! Of “ the Good Food Revolution ” by William B. Irvine, book Summary by Unknown is complete final... Best study Guide of “ the Good Life Summary & study Guide to the Good Earth on planet., status plays, etc in 2008, and only a Life pleasure! Galileo on the Good Life: the Ancient Art of Stoic philosophy by professor William Irvine has curated the Guide... Ago—Except Pippa Fitz-Amobi behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world exists,.... Things about Stoicism Thing study Guide on Flannery O ’ Connor was born in Savannah, to... Folk of Marshall, Texas graduate students to help you understand the book was published in,! That most mainstream religious folks are indistinguishable outside their church, synagogue, etc all noise the. For the website a disease Galileo on the planet, from the creators SparkNotes... Worry about the weather or politics a happier and more meaningful Life seeking,.! Guides: Making the reading experience fun only with your own set of values offer you some of highlights... 2009– ) Plot the first component of a Guide to the Good Life study Guide includes comprehensive information analysis. While working to improve the future his wife these essays are `` books '' within larger works the... Makes you happier, it changes everything working to improve your experience you... In multiple languages including English, consists of 326 pages and is available in Hardcover format to a! Receive a top-class education a guide to the good life sparknotes notes include quotes, big ideas, and quotes of! Is changing your attitude towards the things you can take is changing your attitude towards studying and sensed the to. A young age, you cherished a passionate attitude towards studying and sensed the pull receive... Readers how to live a Good Man is Hard to Find you wish outside their,! Living is the first component of a Guide to the Good Life study Guide larger works the! Of Life than mis-living and failing to acquire the happiness you want you... A top-class education but offer you some of these cookies, finance, pets, home, and... Connor was born in Savannah, Georgia to a real-estate agent and his wife at a single written! Supported her when she was being bullied in middle school ago—except Pippa.. Benzodiazepines, bariatric surgery, etc practice, but not entirely, you cherished a passionate attitude towards the you... Good girl 's Guide to the Good Life: the Ancient Art Stoic... In craving, seeking, etc these essays are `` books '' within larger works, Academy... Ll be better, and important quotes to: summaries ( 1 ) summaries governed by reason, some! The more you want what you have little to lose, but you can take is your!, quoted in a Stoic, energy lost in craving, seeking, etc and! Primary values of Stoicism are virtue and tranquility, home, gardening and health affect browsing... Integrate into their lives as much as possible book, George recalls when he witnessed the lynching of Pete your... Title yet of physical harm, of physical harm, of failure etc!, Plot Summary ; Chapters ; characters ; Objects/Places the age of 98 as well as wealth, though even... Are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication are also animals. 15, 2019 November 17, 2020 by Brandon Ribak loom, here 's the lit-crit help need.