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The transcendent brain : spirituality in the age of science / by Lightman, Alan P.,1948-author.;
Includes bibliographical references."Modern science teaches us that anything can be explained in terms of atoms and forces, including the inner workings of the brain. But certain personal experiences can challenge the idea that there's nothing beyond inert matter. Communing with nature, working through a complex problem, or experiencing a piece of art, we sometimes feel a powerful sense of transcendence, of connecting with a cosmic unity that may seem unexplainable by science. But according to acclaimed physicist and novelist Alan Lightman, we can embrace these spiritual experiences without letting go of our scientific worldview. Lightman draws on a rich intellectual history to explore this fascinating intersection between religion and science. Philosopher Moses Mendelssohn's rational arguments for the soul foreground our thinking about non-materiality; Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius' ideas predict how strict materialism might explain elusive phenomena; Neuroscientist Christof Koch lays the foundation for the material basis of consciousness; and social psychologist Cynthia Frantz provides a scientific explanation of our deep connection to nature and things larger than ourselves. Lightman weaves these ideas together to argue for a concept he calls "spiritual materialism"-the view that while spiritual experiences may arise from atoms and molecules like everything else, the physical laws of the universe may not be able to fully capture the first-person experience of transcendence. Spirituality, in this sense, is not only compatible with a strictly scientific view, but remains at the core of what it means to be human"--
Subjects: Religion and science.; Spirituality.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Magnificent rebels : the first romantics and the invention of the self / by Wulf, Andrea,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."From the best-selling author of The Invention of Nature comes an exhilarating story about a remarkable group of young rebels-poets, novelists, philosophers-who, through their epic quarrels, passionate love stories, heartbreaking grief, and radical ideas launched Romanticism onto the world stage, inspiring some of the greatest thinkers of the time. When did we begin to be as self-centered as we are today? At what point did we expect to have the right to determine our own lives? When did we first ask the question, How can I be free? It all began in a quiet university town in Germany in the 1790s, when a group of playwrights, poets, and writers put the self at center stage in their thinking, their writing, and their lives. This brilliant circle included the famous poets Goethe, Schiller, and Novalis; the visionary philosophers Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel; the contentious Schlegel brothers; and, in a wonderful cameo, Alexander von Humboldt. And at the heart of this group was the formidable Caroline Schlegel, who sparked their dazzling conversations about the self, nature, identity, and freedom. The French revolutionaries may have changed the political landscape of Europe, but the young Romantics incited a revolution of the mind that transformed our world forever. We are still empowered by their daring leap into the self, and by their radical notions of the creative potential of the individual, the highest aspirations of art and science, the unity of nature, and the true meaning of freedom. We also still walk the same tightrope between meaningful self-fulfillment and destructive narcissism, between the rights of the individual and our responsibilities toward our community and future generations. At the heart of this inspiring book is the extremely modern tension between the dangers of selfishness and the thrilling possibilities of free will"--
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Authors, German; Romanticism; Self in literature.; Self-realization.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Death and the visitors / by Redmond, Heather,1969-author.;
"1814, London: Foreign diplomats are descending on London in advance of the Congress of Vienna meetings to formulate a new peace plan for Europe following Napoleon's downfall. Mary and Jane's father, political philosopher William Godwin, is hosting a gathering with an advance party of Russian royal staff. The Russians are enthusiastic followers of Mary's late mother, philosopher and women's rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft, which leads to a lively dinner discussion. Following their visit, Jane overhears her father reassuring his pushiest creditor that the Russians have pledged diamonds to support his publishing venture, the Juvenile Library, relieving his financial burden. But when Godwin is told the man who promised the diamonds was pulled from the River Thames, his dire financial problems are further complicated by the suspicion that the family may have been involved in the murder. Stepsisters Mary and Jane resolve to find the real killer to clear the family name. Coming to their aid is Godwin's disciple, the dashing poet Percy Shelley, who seems increasingly devoted to Mary, despite the fact that he is married. And a young woman Jane befriends turns out to be the mistress of the celebrated poet--and infamous lover--Lord Byron. As both sisters find themselves perhaps dangerously captivated by the poets, their proximity to the truth of the Russian's murder puts them in far greater peril ... "--
Subjects: Detective and mystery fiction.; Novels.; Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron, 1788-1824; Clairmont, Claire, 1798-1879; Godwin, William, 1756-1836; Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851; Shelley, Percy Bysshe, 1792-1822; Man-woman relationships; Murder; Poets; Regency; Russians; Sisters; Stepsisters;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The courage to be happy : the Japanese phenomenon that shows you that true contentment is within your power / by Kishimi, Ichirō,1956-author.; Koga, Fumitake,1973-author.; Kishimi, Ichirō,1956-Shiawase ni naru yūki.English.;
"What if one simple choice could unlock your destiny? Already a major Japanese bestseller, this eye-opening and accessible follow-up to the "compelling" (Marc Andreessen) international phenomenon The Courage to Be Disliked shares the powerful teachings of Alfred Adler, one of the giants of nineteenth-century psychology, through another illuminating dialogue between the philosopher and the young man. Three years after their first conversation, the young man finds himself disillusioned and disappointed, convinced Adler's teachings only work in theory, not in practice. But through further discussions, the philosopher and the young man deepen their own understandings of Adler's powerful teachings and learn the tools needed to apply them to the chaos of everyday life. To be read on its own or as a companion to the bestselling first book, The Courage to Be Happy reveals a bold new way of thinking and living, empowering you to let go of the shackles of past trauma and the expectations of others, and to use this freedom to create the life you truly desire. Plainspoken yet profoundly moving, The Courage to Be Happy will illuminate your life and brighten the world as we know it. Discover the courage to choose happiness."-- Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Self-help publications.; Adler, Alfred, 1870-1937.; Adlerian psychology.; Conduct of life.; Happiness.; Interpersonal relations.; Self-actualization (Psychology); Thought and thinking.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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After the North Pole : a story of survival, mythmaking, and melting ice / by Kagge, Erling,author.; Dickson, Kari,translator.; translation of:Kagge, Erling.Nordpolen Natur, myter, eventyrlyst og smeltende is.English.;
Includes bibliographical references (pages 325-343).Throughout recorded human time, few places on Earth have inspired as much fascination as the North Pole. This is an otherworldly place with no latitude and no longitude, a place where the sun rises and stays aloft for six months before setting, plunging the expanse of ice and water into darkness for half a year. Long before we ever journeyed to the North Pole, human beings have wondered what the northernmost point of our planet might be like. It became densely mythologized by writers, thinkers, historians and philosophers across civilizations. Perhaps it was the actual garden of Eden? Or the sunny land of the Hyperboreans, as Herodotus surmised? Only recently did we get to the North Pole -- fending off scurvy, polar bears and frostbite -- to report on its strange wonders. A memoir from the Norwegian explorer recounts his 58-day ski journey to the North Pole, offering a gripping adventure story and a deep reflection on nature, human resilience and the profound significance of this remote region.
Subjects: Biographies.; Personal narratives.; Kagge, Erling; Adventure and adventurers; Skis and skiing; Survival;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Healthy no matter what : how humans are hardwired to adapt / by Jadad, Alejandro R.,author.; Jadad-Garcia, Tamen,author.;
Includes bibliographical references."A provocative manifesto that teaches you how to take control of your own health, no matter your age or circumstances--from an innovative doctor and his philosopher daughter. Dr. Alex Jadad is the creator of the Jadad scale, a methodology to assess the quality of clinical trials that has become the most widely used in the world, and Tamen Jadad-Garcia is a health entrepreneur and philosopher--they combine their expertise to uncover the shaky foundations on which the medical system is built; one that condemns you to be ill. The Jadads begin this exploration with a simple question: "What is health?" Through engaging stories and case studies, the Jadads expand our understanding of health beyond the medical industrial complex. They show how distant connections in your networks can influence key aspects of yourself, like your weight, anxiety and addictions; how intentional architecture can reduce reliance on medication; and how comparisons with peers can shorten your life. In this practical guide, the meaning of health is redefined, putting you in the driver's seat and recognizing you as the most effective evaluator. Building on data and experiences from millions of people around the world, the book reveals that a healthy life is possible, even with complex chronic conditions or terminal illnesses. The Jadads explain why feeling unhealthy could be fatal and how you can monitor your true health and boost it in practically any context, no matter your cultural background or socioeconomic circumstances. With wisdom and empathy, Healthy No Matter What teaches you about how you are equipped to overcome practically any obstacle through your natural gift of adaptability, provides actionable pointers, and shows how and when to use the medical system, so that you can thrive, regardless of the twists and turns life may take"--
Subjects: Health behavior.; Health.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The Bhagavad Gita : the song of God retold in simplified English / by Viljoen, Edward,author.;
Includes bibliographical references (pages [105]-114)."The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not simply a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita's complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work. Part of the Mahabharata, the Gita is a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna. Its verses contain some of the key ideas of Hindu philosophy--Dharma, Moksha, and various yogic practices. Originally written well over a thousand years ago, the Gita has proven to be a timeless source of wisdom, inspiring philosophers and revolutionaries alike in the millennia since it was written. In addition to the retelling of the text, this edition includes a character list, a glossary of important terms, and chapters exploring the back-story from the Mahabharata and the impact and meaning of the Bhagavad Gita itself. The Bhagavad Gita is an approachable way for today's readers to engage with one of history's richest spiritual epics"--
Subjects: Bhagavadgītā;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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The devil's diary : Alfred Rosenberg and the stolen secrets of the Third Reich / by Wittman, Robert K.; Kinney, David(David Francis);
Includes bibliographical references and index."This exploration of the private wartime diary of Alfred Rosenberg--Hitler's 'chief philosopher' and architect of Nazi ideology--interweaves the story of its recent discovery with the revelation of its never-before-published contents, which are contextualized by the authors: The result is a unprecedented, page-turning narrative of the Nazi rise to power, the Holocaust, and Hitler's post-invasion plans for Russia. A groundbreaking historical contribution, The Devil's Diary is a chilling window into the mind of Adolf Hitler's 'chief social philosopher,' Alfred Rosenberg, who formulated some of the guiding principles behind the Third Reich's genocidal crusade. It also chronicles the thrilling detective hunt for the diary, which disappeared after the Nuremburg Trials and remained lost for almost three quarters of a century, until Robert Wittman, a former FBI special agent who founded the Bureau's Art Crimes Team, played an important role and tells his story now for the first time. The authors expertly and deftly contextualize more than 400 pages of entries stretching from 1936 through 1944, in which the loyal Hitler advisor recounts internal meetings with the Führer and his close associates Hermann Göring and Heinrich Himmler; describes the post-invasion occupation of the Soviet Union; considers the 'solution' to the 'Jewish question'; and discusses his overseeing of the mass seizure and cataloguing of books and artwork from homes, libraries, and museums across occupied Europe. An eyewitness to events, this narrative of Rosenberg's diary offers provocative and intimate insights into pivotal moments in the war and the notorious Nazi who laid the philosophical foundations of the Third Reich"--Provided by publisher.
Subjects: Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945; Rosenberg, Alfred, 1893-1946; Rosenberg, Alfred, 1893-1946; Wittman, Robert K.; United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation; Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); National socialism; Nazis;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Reasons not to worry : how to be Stoic in chaotic times / by Delaney, Brigid,author.;
Includes bibliographical references."Like many people today, Brigid Delaney was searching for answers to timeless questions: How can we be good? Find inner peace? Properly grieve? Tame our insecurities, such as the fear of missing out? Determine what truly matters? Centuries ago, the Stoics pondered many of these same questions. And so, at an important inflection point in her own life, Brigid decided to let these ancient philosophers be her guide. Brigid is rash where the Stoics are logical; she runs on chaos, while the Stoics relinquish control of things beyond their reach. Over the course of a year, she dedicated herself to following the wisdom of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. She hoped to discover how best to live--how she could use the wisdom of these ancient thinkers to navigate life in the modern world. In Reasons Not to Worry, Brigid shares what she learned, showing us how we, too, can draw on the Stoics to regain a sense of agency and tranquility and find meaning in our lives. From learning to relinquish control to cultivating daily awareness of our mortality to building community, Brigid's insights are very funny and very wise. Stoicism can be a tough medicine to swallow, but no longer. Thoughtful, timely, surprisingly practical, and filled to the brim with ways to learn how best to be in the world, Delaney's guide provides compelling and sensible reasons not to worry."--
Subjects: Self-help publications.; Epictetus.; Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, 121-180.; Seneca, Lucius Annaeus, approximately 4 B.C.-65 A.D.; Anxiety.; Conduct of life.; Philosophy, Ancient.; Self-actualization (Psychology); Self-management (Psychology); Stoics.; Worry.;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Bellevue Square : a novel / by Redhill, Michael,1966-author.;
Jean Mason has a doppelganger. At least, that's what people tell her. Apparently it hangs out in Kensington Market, where it sometimes buys churros and shops for hats. Jean doesn't rattle easy, not like she used to. She's a grown woman with a husband and two kids, as well as a thriving business, and Toronto is a fresh start for the whole family. She certainly doesn't want to get involved in anything dubious, but still ... why would two different strangers swear up and down they'd just seen her--with shorter hair furthermore? Jean's curiosity quickly gets the better of her, and she visits the market, but sees no one who looks like her. The next day, she goes back to look again. And the day after that. Before she knows it, she's spending an hour here, an afternoon there, watching, taking notes, obsessing and getting scared. With the aid of a small army of locals who hang around in the market's only park, she expands her surveillance, making it known she'll pay for information or sightings. A peculiar collection of drug addicts, scam artists, philanthropists, philosophers and vagrants--the regulars of Bellevue Square--are eager to contribute to Jean's investigation. But when some of them start disappearing, it becomes apparent that her alleged double has a sinister agenda. Unless Jean stops her, she and everyone she cares about will face a fate stranger than death.
Subjects: Thrillers (Fiction); Black humor.; Doppelgängers; Paranoia;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 2
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Results 161 to 170 of 179 | « previous |