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The pleasures of kindness have been well known since the dawn of Western thought. Kindness, declared Marcus Aurelius, was mankind's 'greatest delight' - and centuries-worth of thinkers and writers have echoed him. But today many people seem to find these pleasures literally incredible. Instead of embracing the benefits of kindness, as a species we seem to be becoming deeply and fundamentally antagonistic to each other, with motives that are generally self-seeking.This book explains how and why this has come about, and argues that the affectionate life - a life lived in instinctive sympathetic identification with the vulnerabilities and attractions of others - is the one we should all be inclined to live. 'We mutually belong to one another,' as the philosopher Alan Ryan writes, and the good life is one 'that reflects this truth'. What the Victorians called 'open-heartedness' and the Christians 'caritas' remains essential to our emotional and mental health, for reasons both obvious and hidden, argue the authors of this elegant and indispensable exploration of the concept of kindness.
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Praise for Side Effects:
'Erudite sparks from art, literature, science and philosophy . . . refreshingly lucid observations . . . Phillips is riveting . . . he bangs nails on heads, and into coffins, with such eloquent precision' Telegraph
'Frequent moments of brilliance, sentences that sing out as containing perfect sense . . . brilliant, baffling and fascinating' Observer
What is kindness?
Does it make us happier?
And does it have a place in a selfish world?
Psychoanalyst Adam Phillips and historian Barbara Taylor present an elegant, thoughtful and concise analysis of kindness in history, in life and in the modern world. Suggesting that acts of kindness occur when we are at our most open and honest, they ask why it is that our faith in kindness has been shaken - and why we are all too ready to believe that antagonism has taken its place.
'A true tract for difficult times'The Times
'Rewarding reading'Evening Standard
'Elegantly argued'Irish Times
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- PublisherHamish Hamilton
- Publication date2009
- ISBN 10 0241144337
- ISBN 13 9780241144336
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages128
- Rating
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On Kindness
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Penguin Books Ltd, United Kingdom, London
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0241144337
ISBN 13: 9780241144336
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The pleasures of kindness have been well known since the dawn of Western thought. Kindness, declared Marcus Aurelius, was mankind's 'greatest delight' - and centuries-worth of thinkers and writers have echoed him. But today many people seem to find these pleasures literally incredible. Instead of embracing the benefits of kindness, as a species we seem to be becoming deeply and fundamentally antagonistic to each other, with motives that are generally self-seeking.This book explains how and why this has come about, and argues that the affectionate life - a life lived in instinctive sympathetic identification with the vulnerabilities and attractions of others - is the one we should all be inclined to live. 'We mutually belong to one another,' as the philosopher Alan Ryan writes, and the good life is one 'that reflects this truth'. What the Victorians called 'open-heartedness' and the Christians 'caritas' remains essential to our emotional and mental health, for reasons both obvious and hidden, argue the authors of this elegant and indispensable exploration of the concept of kindness. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002758493
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On Kindness
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 16182952-75
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On Kindness
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Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 37483088-20
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On Kindness
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Used; Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # mon0000891598
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On kindness / Adam Phillips & Barbara Taylor
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Book Description 2nd edition. Fine copy in the original colour-printed boards. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description: 117 pages; 18 cm. Contents:Against kindness -- A short history of kindness -- How kind? -- The kindness instinct -- Modern kindness. Subjects: Altruism. Kindness. Selfishness. Personality traits - individual psychology. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 312577
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On Kindness
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Title page missing, o/w nice clean tight copy. ; 180x135mm; 117 pages. Seller Inventory # 76097
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On kindness / Adam Phillips & Barbara Taylor
Published by
Hamish Hamilton
(2009)
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ISBN 13: 9780241144336
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Book Description 2nd edition. Fine copy in the original colour-printed boards. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description: 117 pages; 18 cm. Contents:Against kindness -- A short history of kindness -- How kind? -- The kindness instinct -- Modern kindness. Subjects: Altruism. Kindness. Selfishness. Personality traits - individual psychology. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 312577
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On Kindness (First Edition)
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Like New. First Edition. Kindness is the foundation of the world's great religions and most-enduring philosophies. Why, then, does being kind feel so dangerous? If we crave kindness with such intensity, why is it often the last pleasure we permit ourselves? And why despite our longing are we often suspicious when we are on the receiving end of it?Drawing on intellectual history, literature, psychoanalysis, and contemporary social theory, this brief and essential book will return to its readers what Marcus Aurelius declared was mankind's greatest delight: the intense satisfactions of generosity and compassion.Like new copy. Hardcover. Pictorial boards. 117pp. Bound in ribbon page mark. Full refund if not satisfied. Seller Inventory # 039322
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