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The antidote

Oliver Burkeman

PsychologyPhilosophyHealth & Mind
Publish date
2012
Publisher
Brilliance Audio
Description
In *The Antidote*, Oliver Burkeman examines alternative approaches to well-being that challenge conventional positive thinking. The book explores philosophies such as Stoicism and Buddhism, alongside modern psychology, to investigate how confronting uncertainty, failure, and negative emotions impacts happiness. It analyzes the limitations of constant optimism and outlines perspectives centered on accepting life's inherent insecurities.
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Books cited in The antidote

Suggested by AI, not verified against the full text. Check the original book before using them as a source.

  1. The Denial of Death

    Ernest Becker

    Citation

    Informs the chapter on how fear of mortality drives counterproductive human behaviors and anxiety.

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  2. The Wisdom of Insecurity

    Alan Watts

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    Watts's 'backwards law' is central to Burkeman's argument that searching for happiness prevents it.

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  3. Letters from a Stoic

    Seneca

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    Burkeman explores Stoic philosophy and Seneca's practice of premeditatio malorum to embrace negative emotions.

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  4. Enchiridion

    Epictetus

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    Cited to illustrate how controlling our reactions to events matters more than the events themselves.

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  5. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

    Albert Ellis

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    Ellis's psychological framework is examined as a modern, practical offspring of ancient Stoic thought.

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  6. The Power of Now

    Eckhart Tolle

    Citation

    Discussed critically and contextualized within the broader landscape of modern spiritual self-help.

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  7. Thought as a System

    Jiddu Krishnamurti

    Citation

    Cited regarding the paradox of attempting to use the mind to control the mind.

    Medium relevanceExplore

  8. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

    Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

    Citation

    Referenced in analyzing the relationship between effortlessness, goal-setting, and human fulfillment.

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  9. A Guide to the Good Life

    William B. Irvine

    Citation

    Referenced in discussions on modern applications of Stoic philosophy and negative visualization.

    Medium relevanceExplore

  10. The Magic of Thinking Big

    David J. Schwartz

    Citation

    Critiqued as an example of relentless positive thinking that often backfires on individuals.

    Medium relevanceExplore

Recommendations

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    Barbara Ehrenreich

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    Aligns with Burkeman's critique of mandatory optimism and the toxic positivity culture.

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  • Four Thousand Weeks

    Oliver Burkeman

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    Burkeman's later work expanding on finitude, acceptance, and rejecting toxic productivity culture.

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  • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

    Mark Manson

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    Shares a popular, accessible thesis on accepting negative experiences to live a better life.

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  • Stumbling on Happiness

    Daniel Gilbert

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    Examines psychological research showing how poor humans are at predicting what will make them happy.

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  • Against Happiness

    Eric G. Wilson

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    A thematic exploration of the value of melancholy and rejecting forced cheerfulness.

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  • Radical Acceptance

    Tara Brach

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    Offers a Buddhist-based psychological approach to embracing imperfection and difficult feelings.

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