New Korean books explore philosophy, critical thinking, and personal narratives

A collection of new books offers diverse perspectives on philosophy, critical thinking, and personal narratives.

"A Night to Lean on Philosophy," by political philosopher Lee Jin-min, draws from thinkers like Lao Tzu and Simone Weil. The book aims to make philosophy accessible, presenting it as fundamentally about human life. It guides readers through reflections on anxiety, loss, love, perfectionism, and loneliness.

"Everyday Question Dictionary," edited by Jeon Seong-won, editor-in-chief of "Hwanghae Munhwa," encourages critical thinking for the age of AI. It examines everyday objects from unconventional viewpoints, offering phrases like "14 grams of joy that shatters human-centric arrogance" for Spam and "the desire of civilization that usurped the horizontal land vertically" for apartments. The book posits that the ability to ask questions is a human's key advantage.

"My Butch Mom" is an essay collection by director Hwang Hwui-jeon, whose documentary "Everyday Conversation" won international film festival awards. The book delves into the experiences of a 70-year-old lesbian mother, referred to as 'butch' for her role in a relationship, and her child, a survivor of incest. It explores family wounds and reconciliation, offering a lens into universal family struggles.

Other notable releases include "Outsourced Thinking," which critiques the tendency to seek quick answers from chatbots instead of engaging in deep thought, and "The Kim Cheol I Saw," a collection of essays commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of socialist Kim Cheol, examining his life and ideas.