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Philosophy and Life

Exploring the Great Questions of How to Live

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Brought to you by Penguin.

From the eminent philosopher, an authoritative exploration of the great questions of how to live

'There is a question everyone has to ask and answer - in fact, has to keep on asking and keep on answering. It is, 'How should I live my life?' meaning, 'What values shall I live by? 'What sort of person should I be? What shall I aim for?' The great majority of people do not ask this question, they merely answer it unthinkingly, by adopting conventional views of life and what matters in it...'

From Stoics to existentialists, in philosophy and literature, discussion of the philosophy of life -- of love and death, of courage, fortitude and wisdom -- challenges us all to think about what kinds of life are truly worth living. In this summation of a lifetime thinking and writing about this great question, A. C. Grayling explores with clarity and depth the ideas that each of us must use in answering it for ourselves.

Drawing on the lives, experiences and works of a fantastically eclectic range of thinkers -- taking in not only philosophers such as Confucius, Seneca and Nietzsche, but also authors from Shakespeare to Ursula LeGuin, and modern thinkers such as Martha Nussbaum and Simon May - Philosophy and Life brings together wisdom from across eras and continents in a tour de force on the philosophy of being human in a complicated world.

'Grayling brings satisfying order to daunting subjects' Steven Pinker

'An enthusiastic thinker who embraces humour, common sense and lucidity' Independent

© A.C Grayling 2023 (P) Penguin Audio 2023

 Ethics & Morality Movements Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Society Stoicism Morality

Critic reviews

Vivid . . . a panoramic, sweeping affair, in which Grayling draws upon Lebensphilosophie in all its forms, from the ancient Greeks to Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre to contemporary thinkers such as Martha Nussbaum, as well as poets, artists and scientists
An enthusiastic thinker who embraces humour, common sense and lucidity
Anthony Grayling's intimate and vital dialogue with many of the greatest thinkers since antiquity will inspire each of us to discover the best life we are capable of living (Professor Simon May)
All stars
Most relevant
It is a survey of the history of the—mostly western—philosophical inquiries into living life, and living it well. Grayling is a wise wizard sage, and this book departs some of the wisdom. It prompts us to live life philosophically and for life to be all the better for it. This book provides an invaluable aid for such practice. I will go buy a hard copy, so I can poor over this again in more detail. The last chapters which function as an autobiography of Graylings approach to living life philosophically was particularly magical. Thanks you Anthony!

Authentic philosophical survey of the big question

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I found the whole thing a delight to listen to. Thanks! I found some of his assumptions about faith unconvincing! I would have preferred a more robust challenge to my own faith! Having said that, the challenge to think and expect everyone to think was a good one! The tour of the philosophers was wonderfully helpful. (If I am honest the hope that very many people will think when the they are distracted from distraction by distraction is hope far greater than mine in miracles and life beyond the grave etc🤣) But as I said, I loved this book and will return to it again and again. Thank you 😊

An excellent reminder to think for yourself

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Really enjoyed the journey, do much so that I have listened to the recording twice and purchased the hard back to aid my further exploration of this wonderful subject. 'What is Life' and what part do I choose to play'
An easy stimulating listen well narrated.
Thank you.

A great help in finding the answer to the question

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He explains philosophy in ways that can be applied to life with examples. I first read Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, but I did not agree with everything and it doesn't cover a lot of what goes on in life. This book has been great to learn from. I might buy the actual book as well to help highlighting areas.

Great explanations to a lot of big questions.

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Starting with the Socratic question of what makes a meaningful life and how to navigate the wisdom and knowledge of philosophers from East and West to make choices in our own lives from moment to moment made this book very interesting and important for me. The author’s invitation to think for oneself and create a meaningful life

The clarity of how to use philosophy in one’s own life

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