"First published in Japan as Kirawarreru Yuki by Diamond Inc., Tokyo in 2013". -- Title page verso

"Reading this book could change your life. Is happiness something you choose for yourself? The Courage to be Disliked presents a simple and straightforward answer. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of twentieth century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, this book follows an illuminating dialogue between a philosopher and a young man. Over the course of five conversation, the philosopher helps his student to understand how each of us is able to determine the direction of our own life, free from the shackles of past traumas and the expectations of others. Rich in wisdom, The Courage to Be Disliked will guide you through the concepts of self-forgiveness, self-care, and mind decluttering. It is a deeply liberating way of thinking, allowing you to develop the courage to change and ignore the limitations that you might be placing on yourself. This plainspoken and profoundly moving book unlocks the power within you to find lasting happiness and be the person you truly want to be. Millions have already benefited from its teachings; now you can too."--Page [2] of cover

Introduction -- The first night: Deny trauma -- The second night: All problems are interpersonal relationship problems -- The third night: Discard other people's tasks -- The fourth night: Where the center of the world is -- The fifth night: To live in earnest in the here and now -- Afterword

Is happiness something you choose for yourself? Using the theories of Alfred Adler, Kishima and Koga follow a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man over the course of five conversations. As the philosopher helps his student to understand how each of us is able to determine the direction of our own life, readers will be guided through the concepts of self-forgiveness, self-care, and mind decluttering. -- adapted from jacket

In English, translated from the Japanese

The first night: deny trauma. Unknown third giant -- Why people can change -- Trauma does not exist -- People fabricate anger -- How to live without being controlled by the past -- Socrates and Adler -- Are you okay just as you are? -- Unhappiness is something you choose for yourself -- People always choose not to change -- Your life is decided here and now -- The second night: All problems are interpersonal relationship problems. Why you dislike yourself -- All problems are interpersonal relationship problems -- Feelings of inferiority are subjective assumptions -- An inferiority complex is an excuse -- Braggarts have feelings of inferiority -- Life is not a competition -- You're the only one worrying about your appearance -- From power struggle to revenge -- Admitting fault is not defeat -- Overcoming the tasks that face you in life -- Red string and rigid chains -- Don't fall for the "life-lie" -- From the psychology of possession to the psychology of practice -- The third night: Discard other people's tasks. Deny the desire for recognition -- Do not live to satisfy the expectations of others -- How to separate tasks -- Discard other people's tasks -- How to rid yourself of interpersonal relationship problems -- Cut the Gordian knot -- Desire for recognition makes you unfree -- What real freedom is -- You hold the cards to interpersonal relationships -- The fourth night: Where the center of the world is. Individual psychology and holism -- Goal of interpersonal relationships is a feeling of community -- Why am I only interested in myself? -- You are not the center of the world -- Listen to the voice of a larger community -- Do not rebuke or praise -- Encouragement approach -- How to feel you have value -- Exist in the present -- People cannot make proper use of self -- The fifth night: To live in earnest in the here and now. Excessive self-consciousness stifles the self -- Not self-affirmation, self acceptance -- Difference between trust and confidence -- Essence of work is a contribution to the common good -- Young people walk ahead of adults -- Workaholism is a life-lie -- You can be happy now -- Two paths traveled by those wanting to be "special beings" -- Courage to be normal -- Life is a series of moments -- Life like you're dancing -- Shine a light on the here and now -- Greatest life-lie -- Give meaning to seemingly meaningless life