Solve the quiz, win the exclusive chapter!
Today is the publication day of my first book. I love quizzes, so, to celebrate publication day, I've decided to give away some free content, in the form of a whole extra chapter of the book, a hidden chapter, like a secret level on Super Mario Bros, just for those who can answer the quiz questions below. All you have to do is send me the answers to jules dot evans at mac dot com. If they're correct, I'll send you back a copy of the secret chapter that was too hot to publish!
Here we go!
1) The introduction talks about how I was helped to recover from depression by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and discovered it was directly inspired by ancient Greek philosophy. But what's the name of the two American psychologists who invented CBT, both of whom I interview in the book?
2) In the chapter on Epictetus, we meet Brigadier-General Rhonda Cornum, and hear how she coped with being shot down and captured in the first Gulf War. She went on to run the US Army's new resilience training programme, which uses techniques taken from Epictetus' philosophy of resilience. What is the official name of the programme?
3) In the chapter on Musonius Rufus, we look at the idea of mental and physical training in ancient philosophy, including looking at how the Scouting movement was inspired by the example of the warlike city-state of Sparta. Who was the famously tough king of Sparta who died with the 300 at Thermopylae?
4) In the chapter on Seneca, we meet Major Thomas Jarrett, who ran a course on Stoic warrior training in Baghdad in the second Iraq war, and also meet his students Jesse Caban, a sheriff who uses Stoicism to cope with anger management issues, and Chris Brennan, a gritty fireman who uses the memento mori technique to face death. We hear how Seneca taught people to prepare for the worst - but which Roman emperor ordered Seneca's execution?
5) The lesson on Epicurus tells the story of how philosopher Havi Carel used Epicurean philosophy to focus on the present moment, after she was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness at 44. We also hear how famous academic Stephen Greenblatt managed to get over his fear of death after reading Lucretius' wonderful poem, On The Nature of Things. Greenblatt's book on Lucretius just won the Pulitzer Prize (well done Stephen!) - what is his book called?
6) In the chapter on Heraclitus, we consider the ancients' attitude to the cosmos, and how astrophysics and the contemplation of the stars was a form of therapy for them. We meet Edgar Mitchell, the seventh man to walk on the moon, and hear how he had a spiritual epiphany in the space shuttle on the way home. What was the name of the space shuttle?
7) In the chapter on Pythagoras, we hear about the philosophical technique of memorisation, and how the young fighter pilot James Stockdale managed to survive seven years of imprisonment and torture in the Vietnam War, partly thanks to his memorisation of insights from ancient philosophy. Stockdale went on to become a vice-admiral in the US Navy, and a vice-presidential candidate in the 1992 presidential election. Who was he running mate for?
8 ) Next up in the book is the Sceptics. We go to a gathering of the modern Skeptics in Las Vegas, and go on a weekend course with the Landmark Forum, a strange life-coaching organisation committed to a radical Sceptic approach to self-development. What is the name of the Skeptics gathering that takes place every year in Las Vegas, attracting thousands of Skeptics from around the world?
9) In the chapter on the Cynics, we meet Kalle Lasn, an elderly radical who came up with the idea of Occupy Wall Street. Kalle also set up an anti-consumerist magazine, dedicated to 'defacing the currency' of capitalism just as Diogenes the Cynic tried to deface the currency of conventional morality. What is the name of Kalle's magazine?
10) In the chapter on Plato, we meet Alexander, a young Texan who went to Yemen looking for spiritual fulfilment, and came back a committed Platonist. We also meet the School of Economic Science, a Platonic sect whose adverts for philosophy courses you may have seen on Facebook or on the London Underground. Who was the founder of the School of Economic Science, way back in 1937?
11) In the Plutarch lesson, we meet Louis Ferrante, a former Mafioso who was inspired to change his ways after reading Plutarch's Lives in Lewisburg high security prison. We also meet the English adventurer and politician, Rory Stewart, and hear how he was inspired by tales of ancient heroes. We hear, for example, that as a young boy he had a toy horse named after the horse of Alexander the Great - what is the name of that horse?? (The questions are getting trickier now! To help out - Rory gives the answer in this video).
12) Finally, in the Aristotle lesson, we hear how many policy-makers today are inspired by Aristotle's idea that it is the duty of governments to try and cultivate the well-being, or 'eudaimonia', of their citizens. Countries all over the world are now measuring 'national well-being', which I suggest is a return to a modern version of the Christian Aristotelianism that once united Europe. I also go on a walk across Spain, to follow the Camino de Santiago, and talk about my adventures on that walk. What is the symbol of the Camino?
That's all - if you can get them all correct, let me know and you'll get an exclusive hidden chapter of the book!
Please spread the word about the book to your friends - lend it, recommend it, give it away, exhort others to buy it. It's all about word of mouth.
Thanks for your help and support, you're the best!
Jules