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Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

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Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#301

Post by Arainach »

hn_throwaway_69 wrote: post #35

With respect to those in this thread, I'm seeing a lot of suggestions of fairly niche books that I have never heard of or would consider reading. It may be that there is no one book that I think everyone should read. Everyone has different tastes and interests, and what I think is a must read is probably on someone else's list of books never to read.

>I have never heard of

That's the point

>or would consider reading.

Why? The point of lists like this (and of learning) is to go beyond what you're comfortable with and expand your horizons and knowledge.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#302

Post by xunn0026 »

yesenadam wrote: post #265
xunn0026 wrote: post #201

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

I think you have to read the sequel Lila too, as it explains so much that the first book merely hints at, particularly all about Quality, which it explains the structure of in detail...and it makes perfect sense. There's less crazy, more anthropology. I don't know which book I like more.

I found Lila much weaker. ZatAoMM seems more coherent both in how it touches subjects and the parallel (life) story.

Lila seems like it might tell you more but it kinda just... hints towards a great reveal that never comes. Then it just ends.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#303

Post by rramadass »

koolhead17 wrote: post #283

The Enchiridion By Epictetus http://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epicench.html

If you haven't already, checkout Keith Seddon's translation with commentary: Epictetus' Handbook and the Tablet of Cebes: Guides to Stoic Living.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#304

Post by rramadass »

marginalia_nu wrote: post #236

I really liked Epictetus' Discourses. He has a very sort of no-nonsense Dr House vibe going with his bum leg and constant criticism of his pupils. A lot less full of shit than some other Roman Stoics. Maybe not everyone's jam, but I found the tools it provides for dealing with shitty situations highly useful.

Checkout Robin Hard's translations in the Oxford World's Classics series (all are excellent);

1) Epictetus Discourses, Fragments, Handbook

2) Marcus Aurelius Meditations: with selected correspondence

3) Diogenes the Cynic Sayings and Anecdotes: with Other Popular Moralists

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#305

Post by rramadass »

leoh wrote: post #86

“The Scapegoat” by Rene Girard, which suggests that we are deeply vulnerable to imitating others; and that when we imitate, this tends to lead to deep conflict, for we often imitate desire for scarce objects (e.g. a certain role at work, a particular romantic partner, etc.). We also tend to imitate hatred for a given party, as we tend to imitate hatred, too; thus engaging in the process of scapegoating, when, in fact…

This sounds very interesting !

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#306

Post by rramadass »

lm28469 wrote: post #189

Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius

Nice! Which edition is your favourite ?

Mine is Seneca Selected Letters translated by Elaine Fantham and published in the Oxford World's Classics series.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#308

Post by marginalia_nu »

rramadass wrote: post #304
marginalia_nu wrote: post #236

I really liked Epictetus' Discourses. He has a very sort of no-nonsense Dr House vibe going with his bum leg and constant criticism of his pupils. A lot less full of shit than some other Roman Stoics. Maybe not everyone's jam, but I found the tools it provides for dealing with shitty situations highly useful.

Checkout Robin Hard's translations in the Oxford World's Classics series (all are excellent); 1) Epictetus Discourses, Fragments, Handbook 2) Marcus Aurelius Meditations: with selected correspondence 3) Diogenes the Cynic Sayings and Anecdotes: with Other Popular Moralists

Indeed, I think it's a big mistake to cheap out and go for some impenetrable 19th century translation when reading this type of book. Philosophy is difficult enough without dealing with the ridiculously elaborate and flowery language of older translations.

Modern Oxford World Classics or Penguin Classics translations are significantly more pleasant to deal with.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#309

Post by banana2 »

going_ham wrote: post #72
banana2 wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Definitely not a recommendation I see often. I only came to know of the Gita by this quote: "To work you have the right, but not to the fruits thereof". Resonated with me, and brought me to the concept of "karma yoga". How did you come across it?

Short story: I was lost during the early college days. I already had the book in my home for a while and decided to go through it. Once I finished it, I adopted some of the ideas from the book. Immediately, I realized how powerful the concept of acting (karma yoga) is!

Can I ask if you're Hindu or born in India (only if you are comfortable sharing)? Because I don't see many outside of those 2 circles knowing of this text - and I'm really looking for a different interpretation / view of it, rather than the traditional one. (I am neither, if it matters)

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#310

Post by koonsolo »

pengaru wrote: post #244
koonsolo wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the main message of the book is to "put yourself in the shoes of others". And that definitely does not create dishonest, manipulative, self-centered pricks. In fact, that teaches people empathy.

Empathy is an important part in understanding how to manipulate others. Without being able to put yourself into their perspective it's difficult to determine what actions will have which effects. People over/misuse the word empathy, often conflating it with sympathy and/or compassion, when they're very different things. A book can teach empathy while guiding people to be manipulative or exploitive of others. Just bec…

I get your point indeed.

I'm not a psychologist or something, so this is my opinion. But once you have empathy, you must be a real psycho to not feel a damn at that point.

I cannot imagine having empathy but then totally lacking sympathy (in a sane person).

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