Philosopher, Author, Founder of The School of Life

Alain de Botton

Swiss-British author and philosopher known for making philosophy accessible to general audiences. Founder of The School of Life, a digital platform and physical spaces dedicated to teaching emotional intelligence and meaningful living. His work bridges classical philosophy with contemporary psychology and design.

Known For

Making philosophy practical and accessibleExploring the relationship between architecture and psychologyExamining status anxiety and modern unhappinessSecular approaches to meaning and ritual

Canon

Humans Crave Status and Respect More Than Wealth Itself

Canon

Focus Only on What You Can Control

Canon

Books

■The Architecture of Happiness(2006)

■Status Anxiety(2004)

■The Course of Love(2016)

■The Consolations of Philosophy(2000)

Episodes

##483 — The Knots We Tie Ourselves IntoJul 1, 2026