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The Philosophy Prescription

Lessons from Big Thinkers for Every Stage of Life

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The Philosophy Prescription

By: Jack Maden
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

'It's not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.' This was Seneca's assessment two millennia ago, and arguably it's not much different now. Billions of us are here together with no clear idea why anything exists, no agreement on what to do while we exist, and a generally mute denial about our own upcoming non-existence.

Philosophy is the space where we commit to an honest dialogue about this situation: the good-faith attempt to cut to the heart of the matter. What does it mean to be someone's child, or their parent? What is the purpose of beauty ? And what can a Japanese sage teach us about death?

There may be no guidebook for life, but there is comfort in knowing there are others who have gone through all this, too. Warmly written and full of timeless wisdom, The Philosophy Prescription invites you to join the shared search for answers.

© Jack Maden 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Consciousness & Thought History Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy
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Critic reviews

This is a truly welcome addition to the popular-philosophy genre: deep, wise and wide in range, yet both accessible and strikingly relevant in what it draws from the rich tradition of philosophy's insights into life and its challenges. Greatly to be recommended. (A. C. Grayling, author of The History of Philosophy)
The Philosophy Prescription proves that philosophy isn't for stuffy academics in ivory towers and woolly cardigans — it's for everyone. Maden has a rare talent for being able to translate huge and complex ideas into something we can all understand and apply to our lives. In here you'll find ancient wisdom from the titans of the philosophical canon alongside curious tidbits from the dusty obscura at the back of the bookshop. Every page offers something to think about, something to try, or something to take into the rest of your day. An utter gem of a book — wise, warm, and quietly life-changing. (Jonny Thomson, author of Mini Philosophy)
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