In 'Love and Will', Rollo May delves into the complexities of love and will, arguing that these two forces are interdependent and essential for meaningful human relationships. The book critiques modern society's separation of love and sex, proposing that true love involves a deep psychological connection and care. May also discusses various types of love, including eros, philia, agape, libido, and manic love, emphasizing the importance of will in forging strong bonds.
In this book, M. Scott Peck uses his experience as a psychiatrist to guide readers through the challenges of life. He argues that life is inherently difficult and that spiritual growth and self-awareness can only be achieved by confronting and overcoming these difficulties. The book is divided into four parts, focusing on discipline, love, spiritual growth, and the concept of grace. Peck emphasizes the importance of discipline in delaying gratification, accepting responsibility, dedicating oneself to truth, and balancing conflicting factors. He also discusses the myths and realities of love and how it supports spiritual evolution. The book highlights that avoiding problems leads to decreased growth and increased suffering, while facing them can lead to greater self-knowledge and inner peace[1][2][5].
In 'Four Thousand Weeks', Oliver Burkeman offers a contrarian approach to time management by focusing on the finite nature of human life. Assuming an average lifespan of 80 years, the book calculates that we have approximately 4,000 weeks to live. Burkeman argues against the modern fixation on productivity and efficiency, instead advocating for embracing the limits of time and prioritizing what truly matters. The book draws on insights from ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers to help readers construct a more meaningful life by accepting and working within the constraints of time. It addresses issues such as the efficiency trap, the pitfalls of convenience culture, and the importance of living in the present while acknowledging the unpredictability of the future[3][4][5].
In this episode, I talk to bestselling author Oliver Burkeman about his latest book Four Thousand Weeks. On the surface, it’s easy to mistake it for another self-help book on time management. But instead of enthusing about productivity hacks, Oliver challenges his readers to confront the finite nature of humanity. By doing so, he argues we can live fuller lives—without having to always carry the fear of missing out. We also touch on the topics of procrastination, positive psychology, flow, realism, deep time, and patience.
Bio
Oliver Burkeman is a journalist for The Guardian. From 2006 to 2020, he wrote the popular weekly column on psychology called “This Column Will Change Your Life”. He is the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking and Help! How to Become Slightly Happier and Get a Bit More Done. In 2015, he won the Foreign Press Association’s Young Journalist of the Year award, and has been short-listed for the Orwell Prize. His most recent book is Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.
Website: www.oliverburkeman.com
Twitter: @oliverburkeman
Topics
00:02:03 The efficiency trap
00:05:34 Accepting human limitations
00:08:35 Why we handicap ourselves
00:13:07 How to be a better procrastinator
00:18:32 Each activity is paid for with your life
00:20:55 The joy of missing out
00:23:55 Harness more deep time
00:27:57 The common theme of Oliver’s books
00:32:02 Realism and doing the impossible
00:37:29 Productivity and self-worth
00:40:53 Embracing boredom instead of acceleration
00:46:14 Developing a taste for problems
00:50:21 Radical incrementalism
00:57:30 “Originality lies on the far side of unoriginality”
01:01:06 How time management distracts us from wonder
01:03:50 Oliver’s approach to new year resolutions
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Psychology Podcast 
