to independent thinkers
356595
To independent thinkers who still have the ability to reason and analyze before coming to a conclusion, this book is an eye opener. But for most people who are living in their familial lala land with football and beer, it is just hogwash.
1425798
Read with an open mind... A very good book that causes your thinking to come full circle. If you like a puzzle, mystery or books about the origin of man, this book really makes you think.
4103977
I loved this book.  I did not agree with its final conclusions, but I loved the book.  It was written with clarity about a topic that I find endlessly fascinating.  The Free Market Existentialist was approachable, without the oblique and specialized vocabulary that has accompanied much of the philosophy or classical economics that I have tried to read.  This book proposes that existentialism by its requirement of radical free-will and self-responsibility has similarities to libertarianism.  The main link between existentialism and libertarianism is individualism. The individual is primary and the individual is responsible. (Kindle Location 247)
 Professor Irwin summarized existentialism like this: Existentialism is a philosophy that reacts to an apparently absurd or meaningless world by urging the individual to overcome alienation, oppression, and despair through freedom and self-creation in order to become a genuine person. (Kindle Locations 450-451) He went on to discuss alienation, oppression, despair, freedom and self-creation.  I was hooked on the clarity and moved by affinity, as he described anguish felt by a person for whom religious belief is no longer an option.
  However, I did disagree with the book in the following three ways.  William Irwin's description of "moral fictionalism" appears to be a contradiction of authenticity, a requisite to existentialism.  While he addresses that objection, I found it unconvincing.  Secondly, the professor's position requires that what is good for the individual is good for the group in aggregate.  John Maynard Keyne's "paradox of thrift" would appear to contradict this assertion.  Finally, the book appears to attribute far less societal impact on economic elites attempting to affect their ability to accumulate future resources, not through value creation but rather by rigging the game against other non-elites.  I find the professor to be unpersuasive, in spite of his use of the three generations from long-sleeves to short sleeves statistic.  I say these things as a compliment.  While I did not agree with the doctor's points in all cases, I was completely engaged and delighted in the intellectual arguments.
 I greatly enjoyed the book and found it to be clear and encouraging title.  It reminded me of things I had forgotten and facilitated my thinking about many things of which my knowledge was fuzzy, incomplete or in error.  In spite of my gratitude and respect for the title, I cannot move past the fact that the conclusions do not necessarily follow from the suppositions.  Specifically, I found free will fictionalism to be a hurdle that I could not overcome in being willing to be led to the conclusions of the author.  Still, I am very glad I read it, and have since ordered another book by the same author.
4522114
I loved this book. It was all simple logic that we don't often think of. What I got out of it is you are as you think.
3582037
Thought provoking, challenges one to think about their beliefs related to race.  With an open mind, one can gain insight that would enhance knowledge and empower.  I enjoy very much your commentaries on YT.  Thank you for the Hidden Figures series, and your continued desire to educate and elevate.
1477416
The Directionless Son of Brain
Saurabh Sharma
Create Space Publishers
4 Stars
Paperback
80 pages

Do you ever feel like you mind is going in two different directions at the same time. When wisdom tells you to do one thing  but logic takes you someplace else. You mind does not know which direction to take so by making it directionless-ness.

This is the story of a boy name Mind who is the son of Brain and Conscience, Mind seems to be having problems lately like he is not happy. When Idea paid a visit he told the parents of Mind to take him to see his uncle Wisdom. When Wisdom sends him out on his own to find  out his goals in life, he discovers different avenues of the mind.

At first when one starts to read they will probably wonder what is going on, but continue reading and as you read  think of the different emotions your mind goes through. Wisdom, pride, greed, logic,  and much  more. When I first started reading it I myself wondered but after a few paragraphs, I got the drift of the book . A small book it can be read in a short amount of time. The book is unique in its own way and the content of the story is what makes it interesting.
3698220
I now have the perfect plan to inspire those at work to build confidence in them and to make one independent! Boynton (2014) stated, Then point out that you think the person is ready to work more independently and you want to help them feel more comfortable moving through projects with less contact with you. This plan will assist one to be empowered as well as respected.

Paul, thank you for continuing to inspire me to better my professional life as well as to enhance my leadership skills. It is our employees that make us leaders- successful in ones company.

Overall, Paul, you have inspired me to better my personal life. I am here today because of you. You possess a gift a gift to inspire many in todays society- and to enrich the lives of many more to come.

With sincere gratitude and appreciation, Thank you, thank you for the inspiration.

Maurice :)
4094309
Follow me over the hill ditto heads.  Free thought is not your forte.  Let me tell you what to think, what to think about, and lets pretend here is a real difference in agendas.  Lets forget about my addiction to oxycodone, lets forget about what makes you human, lets pretend there is a real difference between the 2 party cast system.  Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
428359
It is a book well worth reading. Having finished it, though, I can see that it deserves a second reading. The instructions that are given are simple enough to follow. However, the real challenge will be putting them into practice as part of your life. I believe that for someone to benefit from this book they will need to have an open mind.
902271
This book relates brain science to the psychology of being an individual thinker rather than a "groupthink" individual. It is more a treatise on the nature of "out of the box" thinking and the personal and brain traits that underlie this essential type of person. Good read also for groupthinkers who don't understand people who question their premises, which are taken for granted and are seldom even realized. Both political parties could use a big dose of "iconoclastic thinking" to allow consideration of alternative hypotheses.
4828350
I really enjoyed this book.  Of course philosophy books will always get you to think - whether you agree or not with some of the ideas being presented.  I found I agree with many of the ideas in this book but also the author presented other angles of viewing a topic that are refreshing and thought provoking.  I think this is a book anyone regardless of background (i.e religion, political views etc) would enjoy reading as its purpose is to get you to think about your own ideas.  Its good to stop and re think the foundation you live by because we get so busy it often becomes 'automated'.  the book isn't written to upset or poke at those with differing opinions. It is written to get you to think about your own path and those around you.
Although I finished the book I am still thinking about it,  a lot of the ideas in it stay with you whether you choose to adopt them or not, and that's a sign of a great book for me!
3595307
This book offers the reader to learn thinking differently, in a natural long forgotten way in the Western society. It makes us conscious of how we process our thoughts and sets us on the way to deal with complexity. An eye opener for who wants to revisit his/her own way of thinking and make it progress. To be kept on your bedside table.
2803294
GIVE YOUR MIND A VACATION FOR AN HOUR OR SO. FOR THE PERSON WHO NEEDS TO SEE LIFE FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
3876288
This book offers a solid answer, exploring the urge for safety in numbers throughout human history. It's a great way to remind yourself of your own power when you are surrounded by pressure to defer to a group. Barzilai weaves modern neuroscience and philosophical traditions in highly original ways. One beautiful sentence sums it up for me:Its exciting and almost chilling to think about the first humans daring to trust their own minds.
Alas, when you trust yourself, you can end up with conclusions that threaten the group consensus around you. It can be hard to resist groupideologies that appeal so effectively to your inner mammal. At those times, its great to read a book like this to remind yourself that nothing is wrong - this is the human condition.
I disagree with the authors presumption that the world is on the verge of collapse. Our mortal brain has seen a world on the verge of collapse since the beginning of time.
Language gave humans the ability to put the brakes on our mammalian impulses and generate alternatives. But the world is less predictable than we would like, so thinking for yourself can lead to disappointment. An alternative is to rely on the thinking of individuals who represent themselves as justice seekers. That feels natural if everyone around you is doing it. We hate to think of ourselves as herd followers, but the seers competing for your allegiance can represent this as a virtuous concern for the greater good. In the name of compassion and open-mindedness, you can end up in a herd that runs toward pagan collectivism. You can forget that theres an alternative if everyone around you is doing the same.
This books is a powerful reminder of the alternative. It shows how competing philosophical traditions have animated human progress since the dawn of the written word. It calls into question the postmodern consensus that has lead so much scholarly writing in the direction of pagan collectivism. I was thrilled to find another point of view on offer here, since so much of the writing around me repeats the currently popular view that we should not hold ourselves responsible for our own actions. I especially liked the historical perspective on the human tendency to follow a priestly class that entrenches itself by proclaiming its connection to the divine. Todays priestly class, academics, are encouraging you to renounce your trust in your own objectivity and trust them instead. Dont do it until you read this book.
319588
By reading this book, you will realize how people are blind to their own ways of thinking.  Also, don't let just anyone read this.. You will know what I mean after reading the 1st chapter.
966771
This little book has some great ideas that I probably could have thought all of it by myself but it's nice to have somebody do all the hard work for my brain.
3776764
I like this book. I've enjoyed Colin Wilson, who MUST be the most prodigious researcher ever in the history of the human race, for years. I never read this book. I'm glad I did, as it gave a name to things I've felt all my life, even as a kid. The question is, does one have to be an existentialist to also be an outsider? I think there are persons damaged by family alcoholism, drugs, poverty, and other conditions of humanity who are outsiders but not necessarily existentialists. It seems improbable that the loner must also be a thinker, an examiner of the soul. So it would bear thinking about that there are intrinsic factors that lead one to existentialism, other than just being an outsider. Nevertheless, this book is an excellent study, and broadened my perspectives about existentialism while reviewing some of the finest writers and thinkers in my experience. Would definitely recommend. In fact it ought to be on school curricula. It could prevent a few crimes, by showing those who are loners that they are not really alone, that they do have a purpose and a way.