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Steven Colborne
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The Philosophy of a Mad Man Paperback – August 4, 2019

by Steven Colborne (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
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The Philosophy of a Mad Man is an autobiographical work documenting the life story and key insights of philosopher Steven Colborne.

The paradoxical title of the book reflects the background of the author, who is both an accomplished academic and a diagnosed schizophrenic. The book is divided into two distinct parts, entitled 'My Journey' (Part 1) and 'My Philosophy' (Part 2).

Part 1 includes a vivid and detailed account of the author’s visit to the home of the spiritual guru Mooji, who entered the media spotlight following his appearance on the Russell Brand ‘Under the Skin’ podcast in August 2020. Among a host of other spiritual adventures, Colborne describes a spiritual retreat experience with Indian shaking meditation teacher Ratu Bagus, whose retreats in Bali are known for being both gruelling and spiritually transformative. Colborne also explains in detail what it's like to experience an episode of psychosis, and his portrayal of his spiritual journey is gripping and evocative, containing humour, sadness, and enlightenment.

In Part 2, Colborne tackles a range of important philosophical topics related to spirituality, including the nature of God, free will, consciousness, and the meaning of life. The author argues that a God exists who is not merely a deeper a level of consciousness (which is the way some Eastern religions describe God), but is a personal being with whom we can develop a relationship and who is intimately involved in every detail of our lives.

The first edition of The Philosophy of a Mad Man was published by SilverWood Books in 2012. With newly refreshed cover art, this second edition of the book (published in 2019) includes an updated introduction and afterword. The book offers a highly stimulating read to anyone on a journey to understand spiritual enlightenment and anyone wishing to engage with the big philosophical questions surrounding our existence.
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  1. Print length
    156 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 4, 2019
  4. Dimensions
    5 x 0.36 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1999369386
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1999369385
  7. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beautifully honest with a universal truth" (Emily, Amazon reviews)

"Well-written and easy to read" (Debra, DnS Media)

"A fascinating story of one man's battle with his mind" (Sarah, Amazon reviews)

"Original and thought-provoking philosophy" (Alan, Happy Mind)

"Disturbing, warming, and full of empathy" (Mark, Amazon reviews)

"A simple, articulate and moving manifesto" (Debbie Young, author)

About the Author

Steven Colborne is a British philosopher and author living in London, England. He has written extensively on the divine sovereignty versus human free will problem, as well as a wide range of other philosophical and theological subjects.

Colborne is a first-class graduate of the University of Westminster and holds a PG Cert in Philosophy and Religion from the University of London. He has spent much of his adult life immersing himself in the spiritual practices of a diverse range of faith groups, from Hinduism and Buddhism to the New Age movement, as well as various denominations of Christianity.

Some of Colborne's most popular books include the spiritual memoir The Philosophy of a Mad Man, the groundbreaking work of interfaith theology Christianity, Islam, and the One True God, and his chief philosophical work God's Grand Game: Divine Sovereignty and the Cosmic Playground.

Colborne is also known for running the popular and award-winning philosophy blog Perfect Chaos, which has a readership of over 7000 subscribers from more than 200 different countries. Colborne's books have been read over 15,000 times and he is considered by many to be a leading thinker in the field of contemporary philosophical theology.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tealight Books (August 4, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 156 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1999369386
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1999369385
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.36 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

About the author

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Steven Colborne

Steven Colborne

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Steven Colborne is the author of many books in the philosophical theology genre. His work offers deep insights into all of the big problems of philosophy and theology, with a focus on the divine sovereignty versus human free will predicament, especially as it relates to the Christian, Islamic, and Hindu worldviews.

Steven is a first-class BA (Hons) graduate of the University of Westminster and holds a postgraduate certificate in Philosophy and Religion from Heythrop College, University of London. He was born in Cambridgeshire, grew up in Abingdon in Oxfordshire, and currently lives in London, England. The son of an English father and a Dutch mother, Steven has had a remarkable spiritual journey which has involved immersive explorations of both Eastern and Western spirituality, as well as several spells in psychiatric hospital. He currently works full-time as a Personal Independent Counsellor in London.

Among other books, Steven’s catalogue of releases includes a groundbreaking work of interfaith theology (Christianity, Islam, and the One True God), a compilation of academic essays (A Collection of Essays by Steven Colborne), and a systematic presentation of his philosophical perspective (God’s Grand Game: Divine Sovereignty and the Cosmic Playground). As well as being a prolific author, Steven also runs the popular philosophy blog Perfect Chaos.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
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Mr. Richard S. Gill
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, Satisfying, Uplifting.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
I was Steve's housemate from about 2005-2007 and was involved in one of his "episodes" he talks about in this book. The recent heightened awareness of mental health made me think of Steve - I looked him up and found his website and was interested to read what he'd been up to. I then discovered these books, so I delved into this one. It's just candid and insighful....such an amazing read and provides some great explanations on what he was actually going through during the time we lived under the same roof. I had very little appreciation of it then but, 13 years on am now beginning to understand what he was going through and why and what he was searching for.

I am so pleased he's doing well and found solace in a subject he is so clearly passionate about.....well done, Steve and thanks for the book which explains so much I didn't appreciate back then....all the very best.
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Leo Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, intriguing, enlightening, and far from 'mad'
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2012
Verified Purchase
To me this is quite an exceptional book. It moves from an extremely personal narrative of highly emotional and occasionally harrowing life experiences in part 1, to a universal philosophy of enormous scope in part 2.

The book is written in very accessible prose which allows for the power of its content to really communicate deeply to the reader in an understated way - it is not delivered in an oppressive or intrusive manner that one might associate with the subject matter. In fact you get the impression that, despite the author's troubled times, here is a man who somehow seems to be at peace with himself and the world. This seems to be a person you would like to spend time with and discuss his experiences and philosophy - far from the (perhaps ironic?) 'Mad Man' of the book's title!

While I wouldn't expect anyone to be converted wholesale to the philosophy expounded here (that doesn't seem to be the author's intention in any case), the ideas communicated are refreshing and thought provoking.

Though the book is easily digestible in one sitting, it is both cogent and cohesive, and is more than worthy of a revisit or three. I for one hope there is more to come from this author.
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Debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars A simple, articulate and moving manifesto
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2013
Verified Purchase
I was unsure what to expect from this intriguingly titled book but I was quickly engaged by the author's simple,candid style and his clear intention to help others gain from his challenging personal experiences, which include losing his mother and one of his best friends to cancer and developing mental health problems that were sufficient to have him sectioned.

Having always been somewhat in awe of philosophers, I really liked his attitude: the democratisation of philosophy. "I would hate the idea that you would consider yourself to be any less of a philosopher than Aristotle or Plato,than Kant or Descartes, or any of the other philosophers studied throughout the world." When he expounds his own philosophy, he makes it both accessible and acceptable. It was a privilege to share his thoughts and I really appreciate the courage and conviction that it must have taken him to do this.

Without aggressively preaching, but rather by reasoned, very sane argument, he persuaded me to reconsider my self-professed atheist status. I'd now think twice before choosing that tag rather than agnostic. It's that powerful a book.
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