A kinder, gentler philosophy of success
– Alain de Botton

From TED.com

Alain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure — and questions the assumptions underlying these two judgments. Is success always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work.

Through his witty and literate books — and his new School of Life — Alain de Botton helps others find fulfillment in the everyday.

Why you should listen

It started in 1997, when Alain de Botton turned away from writing novels and instead wrote a touching extended essay titled How Proust Can Change Your Life, which became an unlikely blockbuster in the “self-help”category. His subsequent books take on some of the fundamental worries of modern life (am I happy? where exactly do I stand?), informed by his deep reading in philosophy and by a novelist’s eye for small, perfect moments. His newest book is The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work. 

In 2008, de Botton helped start the School of Life in London, a social enterprise determined to make learning and therapy relevant in today’s uptight culture. His goal is (through any of his mediums) to help clients learn “how to live wisely and well.”

What others say

“He writes with an elegance philosophers might envy … We’re painlessly instructed while we read for fun.” — SF Chronicle

Now watch his video :

TITLE: Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success
TEDGlobal 2009 · 16:51 minutes · Filmed Jul 2009

See more at  TED.com