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WORK TITLE: A Better Human
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
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CITY:
STATE: CA
COUNTRY: United States
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RESEARCHER NOTES: Quotes from book can be accessed at https://kisslibrary.com/book/611CE227018CA6BBBA2C?utm_source=new-1210-reuse-a-2&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=newtraf&search=A+Better+Human%3A+The+Stoic+Heart%2C+Mind%2C+and+Soul&x=6515127
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PERSONAL
Male.
EDUCATION:Rutgers University, B.S.; University of California, San Diego, M.B.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and engineering manager. Works at a digital advertising firm, San Diego, CA. Previously worked for companies such as Google and Macmillan Publisher; founded companies in educational technology.
AVOCATIONS:Traveling.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
An engineering manager working in advertising, George J. Bradley studied computer science as an undergraduate and went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration. Bradley, who practices the philosophy of Stoicism, is the author of A Better Human: The Stoic Heart, Mind, and Soul. The book focuses on a philosophy that Bradley believes can help people live a better life. Writing in the book’s introduction, Bradley writes that “most systems of thought aim only to teach people how to live well in this world as a by-product of a larger moralistic program.” Bradley goes on in his introduction to note the majority of religions and religious sects focus on being good because God says this is the way to live life.
Beyond religious beliefs, Bradley writes in his introduction that other beliefs and philosophies emphasize applying “enlightened rationale to our behavior.” He points out that neither belief system “teaches how to be better humans now, in this life, or how to be the best humans we can possibly be.” According to Bradley, the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism, founded by Xeno of Cilium in Athens in the early third century B.C., “did lay out a prescription for how to lead a life that produces success and enjoyment of life in the here and now.”
Bradley examines the philosophy of Stoicism in detail, examining the thoughts and lives of various Stoic philosophers, from Zeno to Seneca and Epictetus, Roman writers who spread the word about Stoicism. They are discussed in terms of their individual contributions to Stoicism and their actions reflecting their philosophical beliefs. He also discusses how these philosophers’ lives were impacted by their beliefs in a positive way that led to joy and success. Bradley also writes about how adopting the Stoic philosophy can help people in the modern world.
A Better Human is broken up into three parts titled “Heart,” “Mind,” and “Soul.” The “Heart” section discusses self-awareness and self-discipline. Bradley delves into what a virtuous life is like and the need to live life without fear but with a persevering attitude while taking stock of what a person can and cannot control. The second section, “Mind,” examines issues such as decision making and the need to face reality. In the final section, “Soul,” Bradley writes about the need to be authentic and use the past as a learning experience. Other chapters discuss the importance of sociability and a mindset of gratefulness. “These final pages are clearly and invitingly written, much like the rest of the book,” wrote a Kirkus Reviews contributor, adding that A Better Human is “a reinvigorated, modern approach to a reality-based philosophy.”
BIOCRIT
BOOKS
Bradley, George J., A Better Human: The Stoic Heart, Mind, and Soul, Bradley Publishing Inc. (New York, NY), 2017.
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2018, review of A Better Human: The Stoic Heart, Mind, and Soul.
George Bradley works as an engineering manager at a digital advertising firm in San Diego. He holds an MBA from University of California, San Diego and a BS in Computer Science from Rutgers University. In the past, George has worked for companies such as Google, Macmillan Publishers and founded companies in educational technology. When he’s not working or writing, George spends time traveling and practicing Stoicism in his daily life.
With the possible exception of certain schools of Buddhism, most systems of thought aim only to teach people how to live well in this world as a by-product of a larger moralistic program. We should be good to our neighbors, treat them as we would have them treat us. We should not kill. We should not steal. In more severe models, we should not eat certain foods or harm other creatures whenever possible. We should do these things because “god” or “God” or “gods” decreed it to be so. Or, if we don’t believe in God(s), we should apply enlightened rationale to our behavior and . . . none of this teaches how to be better humans now, in this life, or how to be the best humans we can possibly be.
But one group of thinkers did lay out a prescription for how to lead a life that produces success and enjoyment of life in the here and now.
Bradley, George J.: A BETTER HUMAN
Kirkus Reviews. (Jan. 15, 2018):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Bradley, George J. A BETTER HUMAN Bradley Publishing (Indie Nonfiction) $14.95 6, 8 ISBN: 978-0-692-90492-3
A new look at the ancient ideas of Stoicism.
Debut author Bradley maintains that Stoics have gotten "a bad rap" over the centuries, mainly for propounding a worldview that seeks acceptance, happiness, success, and even greatness in a framework that has nothing to do with gods or the supernatural--instead, it's firmly grounded in the limitations of the observable world. The author presents this philosophy, which was founded by Greek philosopher Zeno and propelled onto the larger world stage by Roman writers Seneca and Epictetus, by focusing on its "Heart, Mind, and Soul"--that is, the basics, refinements, and "deeper touchstones" of a way of thinking in which realism guides but never crushes optimism. The key to Stoicism, as the author presents it here, is to focus on things that one can directly manage: "Spend energy on those things you're able to affect so that you put yourself in position to succeed," Bradley writes. He goes on to instruct readers on the practical applications of such precepts, such as reimagining obstacles from a more helpful perspective or breaking problems up into smaller parts and attacking each one in turn. A crucial element--present in the writings of ancient Stoics but effectively given extra emphasis by Bradley--is the bravery to face reality head-on: "All the opportunity in the world could be present," he writes, "but without then attacking the problem in a fearless way, you might sense a creative possibility but never actually motivate yourself to create." However, this highly readable work isn't solely about facing one's problems; in its last and most intriguing section, the author discusses "the exploration of the soul" using Stoic ideas. These final pages are clearly and invitingly written, much like the rest of the book.
A reinvigorated, modern approach to a reality-based philosophy.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Bradley, George J.: A BETTER HUMAN." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Jan. 2018. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A522642877/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=e0b44c83. Accessed 17 May 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A522642877