How to Think About Exercise - (School of Life) by Damon Young (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

USING PHILOSOPHY TO EXPLORE THE BIG IDEAS BEHIND FITNESS AND WAYS TO ENJOY EXERCISE WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR MIND BEHIND

It can often seem as though existence is split in two: body and mind, flesh and spirit, moving and thinking. In the office or at study we are 'mind workers, ' with seemingly superfluous bodies. Conversely, in the gym we stretch, run and lift, but our minds are idle. In How to Think About Exercise, author and philosopher Damon Young challenges this idea of separation, revealing how fitness can develop our bodies and minds as one. Exploring exercises and sports with the help of ancient and modern philosophy, he uncovers the pleasures, virtues and big ideas of fitness. By learning how to exercise intelligently, we are contributing to our overall enjoyment of life and enhancing our full humanity. Find out how bestselling author Haruki Murakami quit smoking and took up running, and why the simple act radically changed his whole outlook on life; why Schopenhauer thought that swimming was a sublime act; how Charles Darwin came up with some of his best ideas while exercising; and much more.

The School of Life is dedicated to exploring life's big questions: How can we fulfill our potential? Can work be inspiring? Why does community matter? Can relationships last a lifetime? We don't have all the answers, but we will direct you toward a variety of useful ideas--from philosophy to literature, from psychology to the visual arts--that are guaranteed to stimulate, provoke, nourish, and console.

Review Quotes

"Why read a book about making exercise mindful? Would it surprise you to learn that the answer, at leasdt as far as Damon Young's well-written and delightful book goes, is that, well, it's good for you?....Whatever your sport is, the thoughtful reader will find something of interest in this book." --Brooklyn Bugle

"Australian philosopher Young seeks to expand our often dim view of exercise in this surprising, smart, and thoroughly enjoyable inquiry...With readings of David Hume and John Dewey, practical advice, and tales of his own fitness pursuits offered as both illustrative examples and comic relief, Young profoundly deepens our perception of the benefits of 'intelligent exercise' in this outstanding addition to the School of Life series." --Booklist

"In the age of moral and practical confusions, the self-help book is crying out to be redesigned and rehabilitated. The School of Life announces a rebirth with a series that examines the great issues of life, including money, sanity, work, technology, and the desire to alter the world for the better." --Alain De Botton, The School of Life Editor

"Self-Help Books for the Rest of Us." --The New York Times

About the Author

DAMON YOUNG is an Australian philosopher, author, and commentator. He is an Honorary Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne and the author of several books, including Voltaire's Vine and Other Philosophies. He lives in Melbourne, Australia.