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What's it all about? : philosophy and the meaning of life / Julian Baggini

Author
Baggini, Julian
Published
Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2005.
Physical Description
1 online resource (204 pages)
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Contents
Looking for the blueprint -- Living life forwards -- More things in heaven and earth -- Here to help -- The greater good -- As long as you're happy -- Becoming a contender -- Carpe diem -- Lose your self -- The threat of meaninglessness -- Of which reason knows nothing.
Summary
What is the meaning of life? It is a question that has intrigued the great philosophers--and has been hilariously lampooned by Monty Python. Indeed, the whole idea strikes many of us as vaguely pompous, a little absurd. Is there one profound and mysterious meaning to life, a single ultimate purpose behind human existence? In What's It All About?, Julian Baggini says no, there is no single meaning. Instead, Baggini argues meaning can be found in a variety of ways, in this life. He succinctly breaks down six answers people commonly suggest when considering what life is all about--helping others, serving humanity, being happy, becoming successful, enjoying each day as if it were your last, and "freeing your mind." By reducing the vague, mysterious question of meaning to a series of more specific (if thoroughly unmysterious) questions about what gives life purpose and value, he shows that the quest for meaning can be personal, empowering, and uplifting. If the meaning of life is not a mystery, if leading meaningful lives is within the power of us all, then we can look around us and see the many ways in which life can have purpose. We can see the value of happiness while accepting it is not everything. We can see the value of success, without interpreting that too narrowly. We can see the value of seizing the day as well as helping others lead meaningful lives. We can recognize the value of love, as perhaps the most powerful motivator of all. Illustrating his argument with the thoughts of many of the great philosophers and examples drawn from everyday life, Baggini convincingly shows that the search for meaning is personal and within the power of each of us to find
Subject(s)
ISBN
9780198041023 (electronic bk.)
0198041020 (electronic bk.)
1280846100
9781280846106
0195300084 (Cloth)
9780195300086 (alk. paper)
Digital File Characteristics
data file
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-198) and index.
View MARC record | catkey: 43160211