PSYCHOLOGY

Self-Confidence: A Philosophy

by Charles Pépin
Other Pr. Jan. 2020. 176p. from French by Willard Wood. ISBN 9781590510933. $25.989. PSYCH
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Presenting a more nuanced understanding of self-confidence, philosopher and novelist Pépin (Philosophers on the Couch) asserts that to achieve it we must trust the process of our interaction with other people and life itself; that only through our experiences with one another and being in awe of our tiny place in the great cosmos do we truly develop a stronger sense of self. Love from others, engaging in tasks we wish to find improvement in, and admiration for those who have gone before and lived life on their own terms are some of the ideas touched on in this slim book. Though Pépin refrains from offering an explicit manual for boosting one’s self-esteem, many tips may be gleaned, as he centers discussions on three main components: confidence in relationships, trust in oneself, and trust in our very existence.
VERDICT A thoughtful read for anyone seeking the philosophical underpinnings of self-confidence, while wishing to avoid psychological exercises that feel either too simplistic or too overwhelming to implement.
Reviewed by Jennifer M. Schlau, Elgin Community Coll., IL , Jan 10, 2020
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