The Philosopher's Diet: How to Lose Weight and Change the World

By Christopher Forest

Rich food for thought—a philosopher’s guide to losing weight, and keeping it off, by embracing a whole new approach to life.

In this slim volume, a middle-aged philosopher takes on the weighty double challenge of comprehending an expanding universe while fighting an expanding waistline. Witty, thoughtful, and practical, this is a thinking person’s guide to the how—and why—of watching what you eat.

“I urge you to live at the peak of enjoyment of life,” Richard Watson writes. “Descartes said that the essence of the soul is self-consciousness. If you want to enjoy your life, pay attention to what you are doing. Control as much of your life as you can. Live in full consciousness. And don't stop thinking for yourself.”

Here’s an erudite and fascinating combination of common sense, Cartesian philosophy, and the presumption that understanding the mysteries of weight loss and the universe are somehow compatible, even sympathetic, ambitions. If Descartes had written a treatise on losing weight as a way to maintain discipline amidst life’s vicissitudes, it would have read much like this. Richard Watson wants you to lose weight, as he did, while gaining new wisdom about yourself—and what you eat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David R. Godine, Publisher
• Release date: Apr 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781567924534

Christopher Forest

Chris Forest has been an author for nearly 20 years. He has written numerous newspaper articles, educational workbooks, and nonfiction books for audiences of all ages.

Reviews for The Philosopher's Diet

[neurodrew · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Subtitled "how to lose weight and change the world", Watson writes about the discipline necessary to lose 20 lbs, but comes to the conclusion that eliminating raw sugar and processed foods is morally necessary, since these are foisted upon unsuspecting people by large corporations. I think this perspective is flawed; corporations are not in the business of forcing people to go against their tastes, but rather cater to them, and the taste for sugar and salt is inate. The need for fresh foods all the time, as Watson maintains is the best revenge, cannot be met without vast investments in transportation and packaging. These are apparently somehow better corporate practices than using salt for preservation. The book was brief, thought provoking but ultimately the author's viewpoint is all too predictable when one knows he is an academic philosopher, and not seriously in the world of work

[varielle_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are no menus, complicated calorie guidelines or other standard diet book formulas in this one. It's a very simple and short guide to making the decision to change your life. Get moving and keep it under 900 calories a day until you get down to where you want to be. Then figure out how much you can eat without destroying what you've just accomplished. I've started running again because of this book. Give it a try.

[nhcoffin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'd love to reread this book if someone would just give it back! I am no good at dieting, but, by making a diet a subversive way to counteract mass culture this title helps me in those small day to day decisions.