Books The Courage To Be Disliked) by Fumitake Koga (Author)

"The Courage to Be Disliked" by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi is an insightful philosophical dialogue between a skeptical young man and a wise philosopher, based on the ideas of Alfred Adler, a key figure in psychology. The book unfolds over five nights of conversation exploring themes such as identity, freedom, relationships, belonging, and purpose.

The core message is that happiness is a choice and that individuals can change their lives by freeing themselves from past traumas, societal expectations, and the need for approval from others. It encourages readers to:

Let go of the obsession with being liked by everyone.

Stop being controlled by past experiences or diagnoses; the meaning assigned to past events shapes one’s present and future.

Embrace freedom by taking responsibility for one’s life and choices.

Recognize that interpersonal problems arise from taking on others' "tasks" or responsibilities inappropriately.

Cultivate a sense of belonging through self-acceptance, trust, and contribution to the community.

See relationships as horizontal, based on equality rather than hierarchy.