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Alain de Botton

Swiss-born British philosopher and writer · Switzerland · Academics · Born 1969 · age 56

Alain de Botton is read about 712 times a day, in 32 languages.

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Alain de Botton is a Swiss-born British author and public speaker. His books discuss various contemporary subjects and themes, emphasizing philosophy's relevance to everyday life. He published Essays in Love (1993), which went on to sell two million copies.

A life in dates

2011Fellow of the Royal Society of LiteratureAward2009“Alcohol-inspired fights … are a reminder of the price we pay for our daily submission at the altars of prudence and order.”In their wordspp. 45-46.

“I passed by a corner office in which an employee was typing up a document relating to brand performance.”In their wordspp. 83-84.

“To look at the paper is to raise a seashell to one’s ear and to be overwhelmed by the roar of humanity.”In their wordsp. 237.

“The start of work means the end to freedom, but also to doubt, intensity and wayward desires.”In their wordsp. 238.

“These inventors were elevating the formulation of entrepreneurial ideas to the status of a visionary activity.”In their wordsp. 281.

“Death is hard to keep in mind when there is work to be done. … Work does not by its nature permit us to do anything other than take it too seriously.”In their wordsp. 324.

2003Prix Européen de l'Essai Charles VeillonAward1969Born20 December 1969

Also in Deutsch

Photos 1

In their own words 10

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Alain de Botton
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10 statements, newest first

  1. Alcohol-inspired fights … are a reminder of the price we pay for our daily submission at the altars of prudence and order.

    2009, pp. 45-46., Own words

  2. The unremitting division of labour resulted in admirable levels of productivity.

    2009, The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work (2009), Own words

  3. I passed by a corner office in which an employee was typing up a document relating to brand performance.

    2009, pp. 83-84., Own words

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Awards

Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature2011
Prix Européen de l'Essai Charles Veillon2003

Family

Alain de Botton
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About this person

Alain de Botton is a Swiss-born British author and public speaker. His books discuss various contemporary subjects and themes, emphasizing philosophy's relevance to everyday life. He published Essays in Love (1993), which went on to sell two million copies. Other bestsellers include How Proust Can Change Your Life (1997), Status Anxiety (2004), and The Architecture of Happiness (2006).

Country
Switzerland
Category
Academics
Type
Academic
Status
living
Dates
Born 1969 · age 56

In common with Alain

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