Showing results by publisher "Spoken Realms" in Philosophy

Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775-76 that inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. In clear, simple language, it explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence. It was published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution and became an immediate sensation.

Within the last few decades, several obesity-reducing low carbohydrate diets have come to the public's attention. What few realize is that these are all the grandchildren in thought to William Banting, an undertaker who, in 1864, wrote one short book that launched the first incredibly popular diet for obesity. Banting was immortalized by having his name enter the English language as a verb. Three examples include an Irishman, Captain Boycott, whose name entered the language in the 1860s.

The concept of life as a pilgrimage, or a path from ignorance to realization, is central in the writings of the philosopher and New Thought pioneer James Allen (1864-1912). According to Allen, all men must and will follow this path, at the end of which is a state of spiritual satisfaction, which can be attained only by the earnest efforts of the seeker. While progress along the path necessitates the "strenuous tread" of the pilgrim, there are also valuable opportunities for rest and refreshment.

In The Road, Jack London embraces the concepts of unconfined individualism and Darwinism through his autobiographical account of his time riding the rails of Canada and the United States. The author of White Fang, The Call of the Wild, and Sea Wolf, relays the time leading up to turning point in his life - a perfunctory trial and a 30-day imprisonment in the Erie County Penitentiary for the crime of vagrancy - an experience so degrading that he turned to a career in writing.

The wisdom of Sun Tzu has been available for over 2,000 years and ignored or studied by many. Those who have studied and put Sun Tzu's teachings into action, be it a CEO of a corporation or Ho Chi Minh, have typically emerged as winners and those who ignored them the losers. As a platoon leader in Vietnam, I, like many of our leaders, wase unaware of his teachings. I am permanently disabled; my replacement, also unaware, was KIA two months later.

It is said that there is no-one more zealous in a cause than an adult convert. A notable example of this was Joseph McCabe, whose conversion was not to a religion, but from religious faith to secularism. Ordained as a Franciscan priest in 1890, and later recognized by the Catholic Church as an able scholar and teacher, by 1897 McCabe had completely lost his faith and had left the priesthood. He became a very active secularist, delivering thousands of public lectures and publishing over two hundred books on a wide range of religious, historical and scientific topics.

The Way of Life According to Laotzu is a poetic and highly accessible translation of the Dao De Jing ( Tao Te Ching). In these 81 brief passages, the ancient Chinese sage lays down a philosophical, socio-political, personal view of the universe and guide for action that has inspired generations around the world for centuries.

Early 20th-century philosopher, mathematician, historian, and social critic Bertrand Russell once again offers a refreshing and insightful look at the way in which we raise and educate our children and the effect it has on the kind of adults they become. Once again Russell demonstrates how timeless and unresolved some issues remain—be they war, religion, politics, or ... in this instance ... education.

Anyone familiar with Russell's works will find a common theme running through the material: Despite being published over a century ago, his thoughts and philosophy remain remarkably a propos today. Russell argues AGAINST the possessive impulse that global capitalism stimulates in humans and which only benefits the possessor, and FOR the creative impulse, which benefits not only the creator but humankind as a whole. He also supports the establishment of an international parliament to address nation-to-nation conflicts—a palatable alternative to war.

This Misery of Boots is the expansion of a 1905 essay by H.G. Wells. He presents a very interesting view of society based on Wells’ observations on boots and the misery they cause to those unable to purchase well-fitting and well-designed boots. He advocates socialism as a way to solve this and other problems. He puts forward arguments that add a voice of support to working-class people of his time. Wells was an avowed socialist.

In "Icarus; or, The Future of Science," Bertrand Russell explores the potential consequences of scientific advancement, drawing parallels between the myth of Icarus and the development of technology. He argues that while science can lead to progress, it also poses risks, particularly regarding power and societal structures. Russell suggests that scientific advancements, especially in the physical sciences, can increase power, lead to industrialism and war, and necessitate large-scale organization, which could potentially be used for oppressive purposes.