The Books, YouTube Channels, And Everyday Practices that will Change your Life

'And then I found a way out.' These were the words that made me put down my fork at the breakfast table. I told the dogs to quit yapping and ushered Tuula to stop using the hairdryer post haste. I was listening to Desert Island Discs, and Adrian Edmondson was talking about how therapy wasn't working for him. Instead he found 'a way out,' and that was a book, called 'Philosophy for Life: And Other Dangerous Situations' by Jules Evans. It taught him the theory of stoicism that we don't fear things, only the way we react to things. And how we should only focus on the things within our control. 

It's encouraged me to download the book on Audible, and now I've got the bug. I want to know more about how philosophy can help me be more productive and change my mindset for the better. Let's start with some more books. 

There are many great books on philosophy, and the best ones for you may depend on your specific interests within the field. 

1. "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius - A classic work of Stoic philosophy. I'm trying to think who played this guy in Gladiator, wasn't the guy who went onto be Joker was it that fancied his own sister? 

2. "Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant - A foundational text in modern philosophy. I'm hoping after reading this it will be more of a case of Immanuel CAN! (I have better gags, read on). 

3. "The Republic" by Plato - Explores the nature of justice, the ideal state, and more. I hear the word Republic and just think Star Wars, don't you? 

4. "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" by Friedrich Nietzsche - Nietzsche's exploration of morality, the will to power, and the Übermensch. Wow, generally I'm against reading books with titles I can't pronounce, but I guess will have to change my stance. 

5. "Being and Time" by Martin Heidegger - A significant work in existentialist philosophy. If this reaches punctuality I need to just give this to my mate Pierre-Jean. He kept his bride waiting at his own wedding. 

6. "A History of Western Philosophy" by Bertrand Russell - A comprehensive overview of Western philosophy. Don't you wish you could just inject this information like they do in The Matrix? Ultimate time saver. 

7. "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli - Examines political philosophy and leadership. So long as it's not about Prince Artist formally known as. That guy's music sucks balls. 

8. "Simulacra and Simulation" by Jean Baudrillard - Discusses postmodernism and the nature of reality. Simulacra and Simulation sounds like something on the menu at Spearmint Rhino. 

9. "The Tao of Pooh" by Benjamin Hoff - An accessible introduction to Taoist philosophy using Winnie the Pooh as a guide. OK I'm in. 

10. "The Elements of Moral Philosophy" by James Rachels - Explores ethics and moral reasoning. Lots of books eh? I hope at least one of them has a car chase in. 

Books are all very well and good Carl, but how does one practice philosophy in modern day life? Practicing philosophy in everyday life involves adopting a thoughtful and reflective approach to your thoughts, actions, and decisions. Here are some practical steps to help you integrate philosophical thinking into your daily routine:

1. Question Assumptions: Challenge your own assumptions and beliefs. Ask yourself why you hold certain views and whether they are well-founded. But don't spend too long on this, after all Brian Clough never second guessed himself and look how great he turned out. 

2. Critical Thinking: Develop your critical thinking skills. Analyze problems, arguments, and situations carefully. Don't just agree with Mark Kermode, question his critique and ask yourself, does he just like this film because Tony Jones is in it? 

3. Reflect Regularly: Set aside time for reflection. This could be daily or weekly. A journal will be good for this. But keep it under lock and key so the missus doesn't find out how screwed up you really are. Or just write incoherently with your left hand. 

4. Engage in Discussions: Engage in philosophical discussions with friends, family, or online communities. Although when your buddy starts to harp on about how the world is on the brink of economic collapse and we all need to withdraw our investing and buy gold, feel free to take a nap. 

5. Read Widely: Read philosophical texts, but also explore related disciplines like ethics, psychology, sociology, and science. Listed all those big arse books above. 

What about YouTube Carl? I don't have time to read books or think about my life in the lotus position like although chicks on Loose Women. Can I watch any philosophy on YouTube while I'm making hummus? Here are some of the best philosophy YouTube channels that I found at a glance. 

1. The School of Life: This channel offers a wide range of videos on philosophy, psychology, and self-improvement. It's known for its engaging animations and accessible explanations of philosophical ideas.

2. Philosophy Tube: Oliver Thorn, the creator behind Philosophy Tube, creates in-depth videos on various philosophical topics, often combining performance and philosophy to make complex ideas more accessible.

3. Wisecrack: Known for its series "The Philosophy of...", Wisecrack explores the philosophical themes and ideas embedded in pop culture, films, TV shows, and video games.

4. Academy of Ideas: This channel presents animated videos that delve into the works of famous philosophers and key philosophical concepts, making them easier to understand.

5. The School of Athens: Run by Gregory B. Sadler, a philosophy professor, this channel features lectures, explanations of philosophical texts, and discussions on various philosophical topics.

6. CrashCourse Philosophy: Part of the CrashCourse series, this channel offers a playlist dedicated to philosophy. It covers the basics of philosophical thought and famous philosophers' ideas.

7. Philosophical Overdose: A channel that explores philosophical ideas and concepts through engaging animations and discussions.

8. Wireless Philosophy (WiPhi): WiPhi offers a collection of educational videos that provide concise explanations of various philosophical topics, making it a valuable resource for students and learners.

9. Lecture Series: Introduction to Philosophy: This channel offers a series of introductory philosophy lectures by Prof. John Sanders, covering various branches of philosophy.

10. Academind: While not exclusively a philosophy channel, Academind offers thought-provoking content on subjects related to philosophy, psychology, and personal development.