In this engaging and informative six-part series, popular English philosopher Alain de Botton looks at six great European thinkers and how their messages can be applied to the problems of everyday life.Socrates on Self-Confidence Alain shows how the ancient Athenian philosopher Socrates (470-399BC) can help us acquire all the self-confidence we need to sort out what we really believe.Epicurus on Happiness Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-270BC) advocated "friends, freedom and thought" as the path to happiness. Is this still relevant today?Seneca on Anger A practical guide to adopting the principles of the Roman philosopher Lucious Annaeus Seneca (4BC-65AD) who found ways to accommodate the stresses and dangers of his era, even when ordered to commit suicide!Montaigne on Self-Esteem Alain discusses the issue of low self-esteem from the perspective of French thinker Michel de Montaigne (16th Century) and the philosopher's practical solutions for overcoming it.Schopenhauer on Love A survey of the 19th Century German thinker Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) who believed that love was the most important thing in life because of its powerful impulse towards 'the will-to-life'.Nietzsche on Hardship Alain explores Friedrich Nietzsche's (1844-1900) dictum that any worthwhile achievements in life come from the experience of overcoming hardship.