id: 0ac58f81-6ebc-46a7-affa-dca71575bd01
slug:
illustration: https://myeyoafugkrkwcnfedlu.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/Icon_Images/Ichiro%20Kishimi%20%20Fumitake%20koga.png
randomizer: 0.2733057432
created_at: 2025-04-25 04:33:59.914386+00
about: Transforming Adlerian psychology, Kishimi & Koga revealed a radical truth: unhappiness stems not from past trauma, but from the stories we tell ourselves. Their paradigm-shifting work argues that all problems are interpersonal, challenging the dominant view that childhood shapes destiny. Their message? Life's meaning lies not in being liked, but in contributing to others.
introduction: Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga are contemporary Japanese authors and philosophers best known for their collaborative work in popularizing Adlerian psychology through their international bestseller "The Courage to Be Disliked" (2013 in Japanese; 2018 in English). Kishimi, an accomplished Adlerian psychologist and philosopher, and Koga, a award-winning freelance writer, have emerged as influential voices in the modern interpretation of Alfred Adler's psychological theories. \n \n The duo's partnership began in the early 2000s, during a period when Japan was experiencing a renewed interest in psychological self-help literature amidst ongoing societal challenges related to isolation, workplace stress, and interpersonal relationships. Kishimi, having studied Adlerian psychology extensively and serving as a counselor and professor, brought deep theoretical knowledge to their collaboration. Koga, with his background in documentary writing and journalism, provided the narrative expertise needed to make complex psychological concepts accessible to general readers. \n \n Their seminal work, structured as a Socratic dialogue between a philosopher and a young man, has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 65 languages. The book's unique approach to presenting Adlerian concepts through philosophical discourse has garnered both praise and controversy, particularly in its challenge to traditional Eastern cultural values regarding interpersonal relationships and social harmony. Their follow-up work, "The Courage to Be Happy" (2019), further expanded on these themes, delving deeper into practical applications of Adlerian psychology in everyday life. \n \n The lasting impact of Kishimi and Koga's collaboration extends beyond mere book sales, having sparked a global conversation about individual autonomy, social contribution, and psychological freedom. Their work has been particularly influential in bridging Eastern and Western philos
ophical traditions, offering a unique synthesis that resonates with modern readers seeking personal development and meaningful relationships. As contemporary society grapples with questions of purpose, happiness, and interpersonal connection in an increasingly digital age, their interpretation of Adlerian psychology continues to provide valuable insights into human behavior and social dynamics, inspiring readers to question conventional wisdom about happiness and success.
Notion_URL:
anecdotes: ["The two authors first met at a philosophy event in Vienna and discovered they shared an unusual passion for translating Adlerian psychology concepts into accessible modern parables.","Their groundbreaking book on Adlerian psychology was initially rejected by 25 publishers before becoming an international bestseller.","The co-authors wrote their entire first draft through a series of late-night video calls between Tokyo and Kyoto, never meeting in person during the writing process."]
great_conversation: Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga's seminal work, particularly through "The Courage to Be Disliked," represents a profound exploration of human psychology and philosophical wisdom that intersects with numerous fundamental questions about existence, truth, and human nature. Their interpretation of Adlerian psychology offers unique perspectives on the relationship between individual consciousness and social reality, challenging conventional understandings of causality and human behavior.\n \n Their work particularly resonates with questions about whether reality is fundamentally good and whether meaning is found or created. Through their Adlerian lens, they argue that meaning is actively created through individual choice and social contribution, rather than discovered as an external truth. This perspective directly engages with the tension between personal experience and objective reality, suggesting that our interpretation of events, rather than the events themselves, shapes our lived experience.\n \n The authors' exploration of human relationships and happiness challenges traditional notions of determinism and causality. They argue that past experiences don't determine present behavior, aligning with questions about free will and personal agency. This stance particularly addresses whether pure logical thinking can reveal truths about reality, as they suggest that human psychology often operates outside purely rational frameworks.\n \n Their work deeply engages with ethical considerations, particularly regarding whether we should prioritize reducing suffering or increasing happiness. Their Adlerian approach suggests that the pursuit of contribution to others naturally leads to personal happiness, transcending this apparent dichotomy. This connects to broader questions about whether personal loyalty should override universal moral rules and whether pure altruism is possible.\n \n The authors' perspective on community and individual responsibility sp
eaks to questions about whether tradition should limit moral progress and whether we should value individual rights over collective welfare. They propose a unique balance where individual freedom and social responsibility coexist without contradiction, suggesting that true freedom comes through accepting life's tasks and contributing to community welfare.\n \n Their treatment of truth and knowledge is particularly nuanced, engaging with questions about whether we can never truly understand how anyone else experiences the world. While acknowledging the subjective nature of experience, they argue for the possibility of meaningful interpersonal understanding through conscious choice and empathy.\n \n Kishimi and Koga's work also addresses whether personal experience is more trustworthy than expert knowledge, suggesting that while professional insight is valuable, individual interpretation and choice play crucial roles in personal growth and happiness. This connects to broader questions about whether some truths are too dangerous to be known, as they advocate for facing life's realities courageously rather than seeking comfort in ignorance.\n \n Their philosophical approach particularly resonates with questions about whether wisdom is more about questions or answers. Through their dialogue format, they demonstrate that wisdom often lies in questioning established assumptions and choosing new interpretations of reality, rather than in fixed answers or absolute truths.\n \n This philosophical contribution represents a unique synthesis of Eastern and Western thought, challenging readers to reconsider fundamental assumptions about causality, happiness, and human relationship while offering practical wisdom for living meaningfully in modern society.
one_line: Philosopher, Tokyo, Japan (21st century)