A fairly unique collection of writings, by an emperor and commander-in-chief, who actually was a deep thinker as well. His first book can been viewed as a real book, whereas the others are more a collection of thoughts. Some of those I find quite remarkable for his day and age (e.g. a state based on
... (continue)
A fairly unique collection of writings, by an emperor and commander-in-chief, who actually was a deep thinker as well. His first book can been viewed as a real book, whereas the others are more a collection of thoughts. Some of those I find quite remarkable for his day and age (e.g. a state based on equality for citizens and freedom of speech; reasonable creatures have been put into this world for one another; allow yourself some isolation, and thinking, at times, in order to rejuvenate yourself).
Aurelius praises honesty, modesty and an independent inner compass (like Alexander, Caeser, Pompeius, Diogenes, Heraclites, Socrates). Some one-liners are ancient truisms, but someone had to write them down for the first time: you should not reason what a good man is, just be one; healthy thinking means being open to all what happens; it is pointless to be angry at the facts, the facts care less about that.
In the last couple of books, Marcus Aurelius reminds us frequently about the (extreme) short stay we all endure at planet Earth. It clearly is not about eternal fame. What should man do? You should not hope to establish Plato’s state, but be satisfied with even the slightest progress and do not demise that as a small accomplishment. A last quote: Why be afraid of change? What can be created without change? (or even has been… Jw). Note: I read the translation by Siomen Mooij-Valk, which I cannot find on Amazon or Anobii..
Utopia. I have not yet been there, but have read this book before. It deserved rereading. Thomas Moore wrote this satire in incredible times (1515/1516): the discovery of America was hot of the press and Luther was about to initiate protestant reformation.
Utopia. I have not yet been there, but have read this book before. It deserved rereading. Thomas Moore wrote this satire in incredible times (1515/1516): the discovery of America was hot of the press and Luther was about to initiate protestant reformation.
Moore was not yet agreeing with himself (…) whether to publish the work. The story of Utopia (the perfect society if you will) is actually told by a traveler. He is the one who makes to the real daring statements, at the time. Most of these today have become reality. Some examples are: education for all children and in their local language (not Latin), reasonable labor hours (not 12 to 16 hours per day), a pension for the elderly.
Some other interesting statements from this book:
Heads of state are much more interested in conquering new land, instead of well governing what they already have (like Hadrianus tried to ). Why should the state take a life, when only money is stolen? Surely money has a lower value than life itself? (a thief received capital punishment in those days) Maybe France is already too big to be decently ruled by one person alone? In the bible (then only in Latin) there is much more Christianity to be found then the current morals in the country. Is there a moral to keep that silent? Today’s wealthy states are just a conspiracy of the rich, mixing general interests with their own personal interests. (Like Darwin) he observes have soldiers and thieves have a lot in common (soldiers are never afraid to steal). The more innocent statements are e.g. on town planning: how cities should be build and planned (houses in straight lines, along a wide street, with gardens, very utopic at the time). Mind you, no private property in Utopia. If all wealth is measured in money, there is no room for law and prosperity. No wonder socialist thinkers have admired Moore, for his longnow thinking then.
Making these kind of statements, even in a satire, was very dangerous at the times. I suspect it contributed somehow to Moore’s death. I could have read the Project Gutenberg version, but my Latin is rather rusty. I read the work of Marie H van der Zeyde, Athenauem, 2002 (in Dutch).
Life and philosophy of Wittgenstein, from various perspectives. Wittgenstein was once the richest man in Vienna and became a pillar in Anglo-Saxon philosophy. He even displaced his former professor, Russel, although he saw being a professor of philosophy as an absurd profession, the life of someone
... (continue)
Life and philosophy of Wittgenstein, from various perspectives. Wittgenstein was once the richest man in Vienna and became a pillar in Anglo-Saxon philosophy. He even displaced his former professor, Russel, although he saw being a professor of philosophy as an absurd profession, the life of someone being buried alive.
This book puts Wittgenstein’s life and work in perspective. Relates his philosophy to Freud, Popper and even makes a connection to Hume. It is documented how Wittgenstein hated plagiarism as ‘he was well aware of the price his ideas had cost him’.
Read about the job of a philosopher, how language limits our thinking, the divide between science and philosophy, W’s anti-science attitude, why philosophy has hardly progressed since the ancient Greeks. And why philosophy in the future may not exist. A good read.
About (the) father of philosophy and science, as we know it. Surprisingly (to me) a great researcher of biology and animals. Barnes gives a compact introduction of the work of Aristotle (the master of those who know, Dante) and his admirers throughout the ages.
About (the) father of philosophy and science, as we know it. Surprisingly (to me) a great researcher of biology and animals. Barnes gives a compact introduction of the work of Aristotle (the master of those who know, Dante) and his admirers throughout the ages.
Aristotle really admired Plato, his teacher, but disagreed on many lines of thought with him. Reading into Aristotle’ work is looking into the history of European thinking (Barnes).
A few years ago (…) I became interested in international (transnational) management. While living in Switzerland, I was working in Spain and just had to understand the true meaning of mañana. Trompenaars and Hofstede pointed me in the right direction for some understanding.
A few years ago (…) I became interested in international (transnational) management. While living in Switzerland, I was working in Spain and just had to understand the true meaning of mañana. Trompenaars and Hofstede pointed me in the right direction for some understanding.
Our behavior is deeply rooted in our culture. This book shares some light on what culture is and what that means to (global) organisations. Culture is our collective system of meaning. It determines what we find interesting, how we behave and what we find worthwhile. The essence of culture is hard to grasp. Culture is like gravity. You don’t smell it nor see it, but just jump up one meter (or yard…).
A book written with the objective to demonstrate there is no best way of managing and organizing. It urges you to recognize cultural differences (and how they possible impact the way we work together) and at least understand your own culture. Trompenaars writes in a easy to understand style. A bit of theory, mixed with practical examples. E.g. practical tips when doing business e.g. in a universalistic culture (when you are coming from a particularistic culture). A summery per chapter and a grand summery complete this work. Sometimes the examples are practical indeed (when invited to someone’s home, do you feel free to take drinks out of their fridge?). Not in Holland, btw.
A helpful framework for understand and reconciling cultural differences. More information at http://www.7d-culture.nl I would not mind to take part in one of their training sessions one day.
BTW, mañana’s true meaning – if there is any- is ‘not today’.
Marcus Aurelius
A fairly unique collection of writings, by an emperor and commander-in-chief, who actually was a deep thinker as well. His first book can been viewed as a real book, whereas the others are more a collection of thoughts. Some of those I find quite remarkable for his day and age (e.g. a state based on ... (continue)
A fairly unique collection of writings, by an emperor and commander-in-chief, who actually was a deep thinker as well. His first book can been viewed as a real book, whereas the others are more a collection of thoughts. Some of those I find quite remarkable for his day and age (e.g. a state based on equality for citizens and freedom of speech; reasonable creatures have been put into this world for one another; allow yourself some isolation, and thinking, at times, in order to rejuvenate yourself).
Aurelius praises honesty, modesty and an independent inner compass (like Alexander, Caeser, Pompeius, Diogenes, Heraclites, Socrates). Some one-liners are ancient truisms, but someone had to write them down for the first time: you should not reason what a good man is, just be one; healthy thinking means being open to all what happens; it is pointless to be angry at the facts, the facts care less about that.
In the last couple of books, Marcus Aurelius reminds us frequently about the (extreme) short stay we all endure at planet Earth. It clearly is not about eternal fame. What should man do? You should not hope to establish Plato’s state, but be satisfied with even the slightest progress and do not demise that as a small accomplishment. A last quote: Why be afraid of change? What can be created without change? (or even has been… Jw). Note: I read the translation by Siomen Mooij-Valk, which I cannot find on Amazon or Anobii..
Utopia
Utopia. I have not yet been there, but have read this book before. It deserved rereading. Thomas Moore wrote this satire in incredible times (1515/1516): the discovery of America was hot of the press and Luther was about to initiate protestant reformation.
Moore was not yet agreeing with himself (… ... (continue)
Utopia. I have not yet been there, but have read this book before. It deserved rereading. Thomas Moore wrote this satire in incredible times (1515/1516): the discovery of America was hot of the press and Luther was about to initiate protestant reformation.
Moore was not yet agreeing with himself (…) whether to publish the work. The story of Utopia (the perfect society if you will) is actually told by a traveler. He is the one who makes to the real daring statements, at the time. Most of these today have become reality. Some examples are: education for all children and in their local language (not Latin), reasonable labor hours (not 12 to 16 hours per day), a pension for the elderly.
Some other interesting statements from this book:
Heads of state are much more interested in conquering new land, instead of well governing what they already have (like Hadrianus tried to ).
Why should the state take a life, when only money is stolen? Surely money has a lower value than life itself? (a thief received capital punishment in those days)
Maybe France is already too big to be decently ruled by one person alone?
In the bible (then only in Latin) there is much more Christianity to be found then the current morals in the country. Is there a moral to keep that silent?
Today’s wealthy states are just a conspiracy of the rich, mixing general interests with their own personal interests.
(Like Darwin) he observes have soldiers and thieves have a lot in common (soldiers are never afraid to steal).
The more innocent statements are e.g. on town planning: how cities should be build and planned (houses in straight lines, along a wide street, with gardens, very utopic at the time). Mind you, no private property in Utopia. If all wealth is measured in money, there is no room for law and prosperity. No wonder socialist thinkers have admired Moore, for his longnow thinking then.
Making these kind of statements, even in a satire, was very dangerous at the times. I suspect it contributed somehow to Moore’s death. I could have read the Project Gutenberg version, but my Latin is rather rusty. I read the work of Marie H van der Zeyde, Athenauem, 2002 (in Dutch).
BTW there is a great map of Utopia as well!
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Life and philosophy of Wittgenstein, from various perspectives. Wittgenstein was once the richest man in Vienna and became a pillar in Anglo-Saxon philosophy. He even displaced his former professor, Russel, although he saw being a professor of philosophy as an absurd profession, the life of someone ... (continue)
Life and philosophy of Wittgenstein, from various perspectives. Wittgenstein was once the richest man in Vienna and became a pillar in Anglo-Saxon philosophy. He even displaced his former professor, Russel, although he saw being a professor of philosophy as an absurd profession, the life of someone being buried alive.
This book puts Wittgenstein’s life and work in perspective. Relates his philosophy to Freud, Popper and even makes a connection to Hume. It is documented how Wittgenstein hated plagiarism as ‘he was well aware of the price his ideas had cost him’.
Read about the job of a philosopher, how language limits our thinking, the divide between science and philosophy, W’s anti-science attitude, why philosophy has hardly progressed since the ancient Greeks.
And why philosophy in the future may not exist. A good read.
Aristoteles. Eine Einführung.
About (the) father of philosophy and science, as we know it. Surprisingly (to me) a great researcher of biology and animals. Barnes gives a compact introduction of the work of Aristotle (the master of those who know, Dante) and his admirers throughout the ages.
Aristotle really admired Plato, his ... (continue)
About (the) father of philosophy and science, as we know it. Surprisingly (to me) a great researcher of biology and animals. Barnes gives a compact introduction of the work of Aristotle (the master of those who know, Dante) and his admirers throughout the ages.
Aristotle really admired Plato, his teacher, but disagreed on many lines of thought with him. Reading into Aristotle’ work is looking into the history of European thinking (Barnes).
Riding the Waves of Culture
A few years ago (…) I became interested in international (transnational) management. While living in Switzerland, I was working in Spain and just had to understand the true meaning of mañana. Trompenaars and Hofstede pointed me in the right direction for some understanding.
Our behavior is deeply ... (continue)
A few years ago (…) I became interested in international (transnational) management. While living in Switzerland, I was working in Spain and just had to understand the true meaning of mañana. Trompenaars and Hofstede pointed me in the right direction for some understanding.
Our behavior is deeply rooted in our culture. This book shares some light on what culture is and what that means to (global) organisations. Culture is our collective system of meaning. It determines what we find interesting, how we behave and what we find worthwhile. The essence of culture is hard to grasp. Culture is like gravity. You don’t smell it nor see it, but just jump up one meter (or yard…).
A book written with the objective to demonstrate there is no best way of managing and organizing. It urges you to recognize cultural differences (and how they possible impact the way we work together) and at least understand your own culture. Trompenaars writes in a easy to understand style. A bit of theory, mixed with practical examples. E.g. practical tips when doing business e.g. in a universalistic culture (when you are coming from a particularistic culture). A summery per chapter and a grand summery complete this work. Sometimes the examples are practical indeed (when invited to someone’s home, do you feel free to take drinks out of their fridge?). Not in Holland, btw.
A helpful framework for understand and reconciling cultural differences. More information at http://www.7d-culture.nl I would not mind to take part in one of their training sessions one day.
BTW, mañana’s true meaning – if there is any- is ‘not today’.