How to Be More Human

How to be More Human is a short book by a Scottish author about being human. Its main theme is that we are all alone with ourselves, that our sense of identity is a construct and that it is our relationships with other people that define us. There are some good ideas in How to be More Human including aspects on developing a strong sense of self, empathy for others and responsibility for our own actions. It also has some interesting concepts on courage and depression.

One main theme of the book is that we should not cling to the past. While past events are just that – history and that which happened in the distant past, what we think of as the important part of human existence is what we do today. We often focus on the negative things in life such as pain and suffering, making faulty decisions and neglecting our own needs. These actions can then pile up and become a burden to the present and future. However, it is important to remember that the past can be a part of the greater whole and if we learn from our mistakes and the bad examples set by others, we can move forward and not let the past define who we are.

How to be More Human is an excellent little book with some excellent advice and strategies. Although its message is somewhat depressing, it is important to remember that even though we may be alone with ourselves, there is still another person out there with whom we have a bond. And, importantly, that we each have the power and potential to make the best of ourselves. This book teaches that we can do this.