A student of life

摘要

Alain de Botton's first book was published at the tender age of 23: Essays in Love. Described as part history of a romance, part philosophical consolation, the book used a confessional style to draw the reader in whilst weaving in ideas from philosophical thought. From then on Alain De Botton tackled diverse subjects such as architecture, work, travel and other 'everyday' topics and dilemmas. The hallmark of his work is his ability to bring philosophy to bear on familiar conundrums, writing in an accessible style about big ideas. In 2008 he opened the 'The School of Life' in London (www.theschooloflife.com), a shop cum secular church where you can go to browse the books, find a therapist, or listen to talks from non-religious experts in philosophy and psychotherapy.