The philosopher argues that as a culture, we'd be happier and saner if we re-examined our view of love, because our romantic notions can actually work against the relationships we want most. (R)

Alain De Botton's novel from 2016 called The Course of Love challenges many assumptions about falling in love and what comes next.

Alain first tackled the subject when he wrote Essays of Love in his early 20s.

The episode of Conversations was first broadcast in 2016

The producer was Michelle Ransom-Hughes and the Executive Producer was Pam O'Brien.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.