The Courage to Be Disliked Book Summary - The Courage to Be Disliked Book explained in key points
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The Courage to Be Disliked summary

Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

How to Free Yourself, Change Your Life, and Achieve Real Happiness

4.2 (678 ratings)
20 mins

Brief summary

The Courage To Be Disliked is a thought-provoking dialogue that explores the power of embracing one's true self and rejecting external validation.
Table of Contents

    The Courage to Be Disliked
    summarized in 8 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 8

    We tend to believe our past determines the future, but, in reality, we are always able to change.

    If you heard that a recluse lived in the building across the street and spent the whole time shut off from the world in his apartment, you’d no doubt come to some pretty hasty conclusions.

    You might well assume not just that the individual had been traumatized, but that the experience had shaped the person’s life; they might well remain in that state forever.

    Such assumptions are born from the fact that we tend to believe as a matter of course that past experience heavily impacts upon future behavior.

    We make such suppositions based upon the popular conception of human psychology. We imagine that it’s all rooted in trauma.

    The classic example would be the bullied child who transfers trauma from home or the schoolyard to social situations she might face as an adult. It works the other way too: we tend to imagine that a spoilt child will be ill-equipped to deal with the realities of the grown-up world.

    That’s all to say that, to the vast majority of us, psychological problems appear to have some root cause in the past.

    In reality, of course, this type of deterministic thinking is for the birds. We’re actually free to do whatever we want. This was the view of twentieth-century Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler: we don’t have to be defined by trauma.

    After all, children who have suffered abuse have not all become social outcasts as adults. This suggests that there must be another explanation.

    The recluse who’s locked himself away may have chosen to do so because he doesn't want to leave. He might have just developed the anxiety as an excuse to stay indoors.

    In other words, the condition is not fixed. Reasons for action can be changed and the freedom to transform is always available.

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    What is The Courage to Be Disliked about?

    The Courage to Be Disliked (2018) takes a look at the psychology of Alfred Adler, the famous twentieth-century Austrian psychologist. Adler argued that we should care less about what other people think and the authors show how Adler’s philosophy can continue to benefit us today.

    The Courage to Be Disliked Review

    The Courage To Be Disliked (2013) by Keisuke Nagi and Ichiro Kishimi is a compelling exploration of self-acceptance and personal freedom. Here's why you should read it:

    • The book's unique dialogue format makes complex psychological concepts accessible and engaging.
    • It presents a fresh perspective on happiness, success, and interpersonal relationships based on Alfred Adler's theories.
    • The insights provided can transform your mindset and help you live a more authentic life.

    Embrace your true self and find happiness with The Courage To Be Disliked.

    Best quote from The Courage to Be Disliked

    No experience is in itself a cause of our success or failure.

    —Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
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    Who should read The Courage to Be Disliked?

    • Psychologists
    • Quiet souls with low self-esteem who want to find their place in the world
    • Mental health professionals

    About the Author

    Ichiro Kishimi lives in his hometown of Kyoto where he has been examining and practicing Adlerian psychology since 1989. He is a psychiatric counselor for troubled young adults in Kyoto and has translated several books by Alfred Adler into Japanese. He has also published Introduction to Adlerian Psychology.

    Fumitake Koga has written a number of bestselling books on business management. After becoming an enthusiast of the Adlerian psychology in the early 2000s, he started visiting Ichiro Kishimi, taking the notes which eventually became The Courage to Be Disliked.

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    The Courage to Be Disliked FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Courage To Be Disliked?

    The Courage To Be Disliked encourages readers to embrace their true selves and reject external validation for personal freedom and happiness.

    How long does it take to read The Courage To Be Disliked?

    The estimated reading time for The Courage To Be Disliked is a few hours. The Blinkist summary takes about 15 minutes to read.

    Is The Courage To Be Disliked a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Courage To Be Disliked is a valuable read, offering profound insights on self-acceptance and personal freedom.

    Who is the author of The Courage To Be Disliked?

    The authors of The Courage To Be Disliked are Keisuke Nagi and Ichiro Kishimi.

    How many chapters are in The Courage To Be Disliked?

    The Courage To Be Disliked by Keisuke Nagi and Ichiro Kishimi consists of five chapters, each representing a night of philosophical dialogue.

    How many pages are in The Courage To Be Disliked?

    The Courage To Be Disliked has 288 pages.

    When was The Courage To Be Disliked published?

    The Courage To Be Disliked was published in 2013.