Nicholas J Pappas: 12 books

Philosopher Nick Pappas invites us to join the conversation as a few wise friends explore what it takes to live a meaningful life, to produce meaningful art, and to support others in their own efforts to fulfill their potential.How do we make the most of our lives? Is there a meaning, a goal, a purpose?...

In a warm and enjoyable dialogue the meaning of "health," in its fullest sense, becomes a philosophical issue as much as a biological. For isn't the essence of health a general sense of well-being?  Health can be seen as reflecting satisfaction with our quality of life; but how do...

‘Do you believe we can know the truth about all things, or are there things we simply can never know the truth about?’ This quote from On Life captures the spirit of the book. In it, four friends — Director, Friend, Artist, and Scientist — pursue, in short dialogues, the truth about such topics...

What does it mean to live well? Every day we choose how to act, what to believe, and where to place our focus. This thoughtful book draws us into an engaging conversation about topics that we often leave unspoken but which wise people think through as a fundamental part of living. The mystery is really not so great: it is within reach all the time.

In a style emulating that of the Platonic dialogue, the author approaches serious moral questions in a conversational manner that will appeal to both the general and the specialized reader.The first dialogue, “Controvert, Or on the Lie,” examines the nature of lies and telling “the truth” and...

The reader of this book is invited to enjoy a tasty feast of bite-sized philosophical dialogues. One reader might choose to enjoy a single dialogue at a time. Other readers might prefer to try a few at a time, in a “dim sum” approach to thoughtful inquiry. Either way, the reader will find a great variety...

The notion of 'freedom' is essential to America's view of itself as a democratic and individual-based society. In this philosophical dialogue, characters assess the many facets, implications and apparent contradictions inherent in this deceptively complex idea. Seventy-nine short segments provide food...

Exploring elements that contribute to personal strength, the author engages us in conversation to tease out the complexities.What does character have to do with strength? What about truth?How do heart and soul figure into things? What about mind and gut? Can you be strong while you are...

"Aristocrat” and “The Community” are dialogues that take place among friends through the course of a night. “Aristocrat” is concerned with what it means to want to rule, with the comparison of aristocracy to democracy, and with duty. The friends begin by touching upon excellence, aristocracy’s...

The multifaceted topic of love is examined from all angles in an ongoing conversation between two characters, Director and Handsome.  Over coffee, over wine, over a certain stretch of time, they explore together the apparent and not-so-apparent nuances of friendship, attraction, respect and romance,...

Americans believe in education. Education allows you to make something of yourself. Education plays a special role in that it simultaneously provides a way out and a way in. But a way out of what? And a way into what? That’s not always clear. Three characters with different skills and outlooks...

Join the discussion among friends as they take a fresh look at two concepts whose meaning and definitions we may all too often take for granted. Belief. The dialogues in this section deal with both the positives and negatives of belief. How do you know what to believe? How do you know what to stop believing?...