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/lit/ - Literature

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6239020 No.6239020 [Reply] [Original]

So I have spring break and I wanted to read some philosophy books that could help me with anxiety/depression. I already have a psychiatrist, psychotherapist so this isn't me just self-diagnosing myself. So could /lit/ help me out with some recommendations to aid with this. I'm doing other stuff too, but i think this would help. Currently have: Maurice Ponty and Beauvoir on my list. Thanks!

>> No.6239065

>>6239020
I think you may want to look into the 'therapeutic' side of philosophy. Stuff like Stoicism (Epictetus is my favourite Stoic, good place to start as well) and Epicureanism that focuses on how to deal with life. Buddhism might also be useful by that's not really something I know about, although plenty of anons here do.

What cheers me up personally when I feel like shit, but it may have the complete opposite effect on you, is hardcore pessimism. There's something liberating in calling a spade a spade and not pulling any punches when it comes to slandering existence. Stuff like Schopenhauer's essays (Studies in Pessimism) or Cioran's work, for example. When you're inclined to have a negative view on things pessimism can feel refreshingly honest, and while it lacks hope it can give you courage.

>> No.6239074

>>6239065
This guy.

I don't have any books, but I know a channel and series on youtube that gets into it and is pretty fun to watch.

Epicurus, Stoicism and Nietzsche and some good places to start at, and these sum it up well for beginners:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_47J6sy3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu7n0XzqtfA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHWbZmg2hzU

If you want to get into their ideas and history a bit more, "Philosophy - a guide to happiness" on youtube has about 20 minute long episodes that cover them really well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L3dLWwmDDw&list=PL7857933243B7D31B

>> No.6239105

>>6239065
>Stoicism

I always find Seneca's On The Shortness of Life to be damn inspiring.

>> No.6239118

>Currently have: Maurice Ponty and Beauvoir on my list.

Take them off. Read Lao Tzu and Alberto Caeiro.

>> No.6239224

>>6239065
>>6239074
>>6239105
>>6239118
Thanks guys. I'm currently watching the Youtube vids and I'll start the books tomorrow. Cannot thank you guys enough!

>> No.6239394

>>6239224
You could give this a listen as well, it's a good introduction:

Epicureanism:
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/epicurus-principles
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/epicurus-ethics
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/epicurus-gods-death
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/lucretius
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/warren-epicurus

Stoicism:
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/stoics-principles
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/stoics-epistemology
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/stoics-physics
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/stoics-ethics
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/stoics-sedley
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/seneca
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/epictetus
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/marcus-aurelius
http://www.historyofphilosophy.net/sellars-stoics

Good luck with your depression, anon.

>> No.6239436

>>6239020
>spring break
it is the time for whores and free women, not for books