How ideas shape us

In 'The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain,' Annie Murphy Paul argues that our minds are not confined to the brain but extend into our bodies, surroundings, and social relationships. The book explores embodied, situated, and distributed cognition, providing practical advice on how to think better by utilizing 'extra-neural' resources such as bodily sensations, physical spaces, and the minds of others. Paul draws on research from neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and psychologists, as well as examples from artists, scientists, and leaders who have successfully used these mental extensions to solve problems and create new works[2][4][5].

In this essay, Berlin uses the metaphor of the hedgehog and the fox to distinguish between two types of thinkers: those who relate everything to a single central vision (hedgehogs) and those who pursue many ends, often unrelated and even contradictory (foxes). Berlin applies this distinction to Tolstoy, arguing that while Tolstoy's talents were those of a fox, his beliefs were those of a hedgehog, leading to a paradox that helps explain his philosophy of history. The essay provides profound insights into Tolstoy, historical understanding, and human psychology.

Published in 1973, 'Small Is Beautiful' critiques mainstream economics by advocating for sustainable development, small-scale technologies, and community-centered economic policies. The book is divided into four parts: 'The Modern World', 'Resources', 'The Third World', and 'Organization and Ownership'. Schumacher argues that economic growth must be balanced with the needs of communities and the environment, and he introduces the concept of 'Buddhist economics', which emphasizes human needs and limitations. The book has been highly influential, inspiring movements such as 'Buy Local' and 'Fair Trade', and was ranked among the 100 most influential books since World War II by 'The Times Literary Supplement'.