Summary of The Courage to be Disliked

The Courage to Be Disliked is a philosophical self-help book written by Japanese psychologists Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. It is based on the teachings of prominent 20th-century psychotherapist and philosopher Dr. Alfred Adler. The book explores the concept of psychological freedom and encourages readers to seek self-fulfillment and create their own path to happiness. It focuses on Adler's theory that we are all driven by our need for superiority—the desire to be better than or superior to others—and that insecurity, rather than low self-esteem, is the driving force behind our decisions and actions in life. The authors explain that this search for superiority leads to feelings of unease and discontentment and often fuels a cycle of suffering. The book's ultimate goal is to encourage readers to discover their true values and actualize them, breaking the cycle of suffering and embracing psychological freedom.