Table of Contents
Link to Book #4: The End of Wisdom (2022)
Most of us have heard at least one old adage about personal finance or psychology at some point in our lives. “A penny saved is a penny earned”, “money can’t buy happiness”, “diversify”, or “no sunk costs.” But how many of us stop to ask ourselves whether these pieces of advice are really true?
The book offers a much-needed dose of epistemological humility, helping readers to understand the limits of what we can know. Financial folly, charlatans, and pseudo-wisdom are unfortunately all too common, and this book offers a witty and insightful look at some of the most popular examples.
Smiley contends that our obsession with seeking out advice has led us to believe that there are easy answers to complex problems. This has lulled us into a false sense of security, making us feel that we can always find someone who knows better than we do.
Link to Book #3: Buy Unmasking the Psyche (2022)
Over the past century, psychology has become one of the most respected and widely-studied scientific disciplines. In recent years, psychologists have made groundbreaking strides in our understanding of human behavior, cognition, and emotion. From William James to Sigmund Freud to Carl Jung to Alfred Adler, the field of psychology has produced a long list of influential thinkers who have helped to shape our understanding of the human mind.
In this book, we will take a closer look at some of the most important figures in psychology history and explore their groundbreaking theories about the human condition. In addition, we will examine some of the major criticisms of these works. By doing so, we will gain a deeper understanding of how psychology has evolved over time and how it continues to influence our lives today.
Link to Book #2: The Dichotomy of the Self (2021)
The Dichotomy of the Self explores the concept of the Self. What have the great books about psychology had to say about the nature of the Self?
Beneath the veneer of politeness and socially appropriate responses, and beneath the pretentious titles, passing interests, and mannerisms, what lurks underneath? Who are we?
What are the opposite poles that we gravitate between? Do we suppress an insatiable appetite for power? Or do we suppress a more mystical side, a deep Self that is inherited from the archetypes of the past?
Do we repress an animalistic side, or do we suppress a spiritual or a creative side? Maybe our paradoxical nature is a primary source of anxiety – that we are a compromise between God and beast, a fact we cannot reconcile?
Link to Book #1: The Greatest Words They Ever Said (2021)
The Greatest Words They Ever Said is a collection of quotes that span 14 topics that I have accumulated over the years. These include Fear, Truth, Time, Folly, Pain, Desire, Deceit, Work, Education, Happiness, Evil, Wisdom, Freedom, Humor. While not an exhaustive list, these topics seem to cover a large part of the human experience.
I have found these quotes interesting and thought-provoking at various points in time. But I have never thought that any of them has aged badly. This gives them an added perennial quality that is rare to find.