Profile: The School Of Life Berlin

The School of Life was founded eight years ago in London by writer and philosopher Alain de Botton. He has since gathered a network of experts hailing from a number of different fields, including art, philosophy, architecture, literature, psychology, sociology, and theology. After sifting through thousands of years worth of cultural history for kernels of knowledge to inform a better life, they have managed to present this information in ways more accessible and relevant than ever before. The end result is a platform offering people from all walks of life the chance to improve their relationships, live more consciously in line with their values, and pursue more fulfilling vocations.

Furthermore, The School of Life offers a refreshing take on the advances made by thinkers past by introducing the topics in more useful and intriguing ways than those most associate with the dull pedagogy style of their school days, and the experts manage to transmit their knowledge without being dogmatic about it. It has published a number of books on subjects ranging from a summary of the most important takeaways from Nietzsche‘s life work to advice on becoming a well-rounded person in the digital age. Visitors of their YouTube channel can discover truths on a number of topics – like how to get over an ex or find more meaningful work – all while engrossed in accessible and engaging videos, complied from intriguing visuals and narrated in a gentle tone. Viewers can also unearth what was so important about the Hegelian dialectic in terms applicable to daily life.

The best part is, The School of Life continues to reach out to its followers in new and exciting ways and, to make things even more tangible, has a series of satellite locations in cities throughout the world, including one in Berlin, which opened in April 2016. Here, subject matters are discussed in both English and German in the form of seminars and other special events. People have a chance to meet with each other and the experts who present advice and instruction face-to-face, all within the cheerful venue in Prenzlauer Berg, just off Danziger Strasse.

Here, lots of exciting things are happening, and more expansion is on the way. The symposiums and special events offered cover many topics, from how to find a meaningful job to examining the old adage ‘We are what we eat.’ In addition to providing a chance to re-conceptualize important, albeit sometimes challenging aspects of life in constructive ways, the seminars also give like-minded, curious individuals the chance to mingle and connect with one another.

In the words of John Keating in Dead Poets Society, ‘And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for!’ Whether it’s through a computer screen or a close-knit seminar conducted in real time, The School of Life is here to provide that special something that’s been missing from conventional curricula: the chance to develop emotional intelligence.

You can stay updated on what’s happening at The School of Life Berlin by liking their Facebook Page.
📍 School of Life Berlin, Lychener Str. 7, Berlin, Germany, +49 30 91514311
📅 Monday to Saturday: 11AM – 6PM