The most important question we can ask ourselves is: what kind of life is the best? This is the same as asking: How does one give meaning to one's life? How can one justify one's existence and make it worthwhile? How does one make experience valuable, and keep growing and learning in the process - and through this learning acquire a degree of understanding of oneself and the world? A civilised society is one which never ceases debating with itself aboutwhat human life should best be. Some would, with justice, say that if wewant ours to be such a society we must all contribute to that discussion. This book is, with appropriate diffidence, such a contribution. It consists of a collection of Grayling's regular 'Last Word' columns in the Guardian.This time topics include Suicide, Deceit, Luxury, Profit, Marriage, Meat-eating, Liberty, Slavery, Protest, Guns and War.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Did you catch AC Grayling talking on the BBC Radio 4's The Today programme last week! With this published in August and the paperback of the very successful The Meaning of Things out in July, AC Grayling is keeping very busy. The last couple of weeks has seen him being interviewed both on BBC Radio 4's Today programme and giving a talk at the ICA, as well as another in Cardiff. Anthony will also be going to a number of festivals including Ikley, Dartington,Cheltenham and Edinburgh - this week! - as well as a Cafe Philo at the French Institute in September. A recent meeting with the editor of the Guardian has confirmed that they are keen to continue his Last Words column and also to continue to ask him to write regular features for their new Saturday Review magazine, so the future for both book-based and ongoing-profile publicity looks couldn't be better. I've also arranged a reader off with New Statesman. We're expecting widespread reviews in the national press for this title - the Guardian and the Financial Times are already confirmed - and our first reviews are just coming in... "The Meaning of Things is personal - Grayling says thathe can only give us a roadmap for our own exploring." The Times "The summer's leading philosophy title.... The aim of these discussions is to enable the reader to increase understanding of one's self and of the wider world, without losing touch with reality - never an easy circle to square." New Statesman "No one could read this collection of vivid, thought-provoking essays withoutbecoming a wiser and better person." Literary Review "It's a study in modernday ethics, a flight manual." Arena Anthony is away for a well-earned break,and we're hoping to whizz round some bookshops for a marathon signing session
From the Inside Flap
The most important question we can ask ourselves is: what kind of life is the best? This is the same as asking: How does one give meaning to one's life? How can one justify one's existence and make it worthwhile? How does one make experience valuable, and keep growing and learning in the process - and through this learning acquire a degree of understanding of oneself and the world?
A civilised society is one which never ceases debating with itself about what human life should best be. Some would, with justice, say that if we want ours to be such a society we must all contribute to that discussion. This book is, with appropriate diffidence, such a contribution.
According to A. C. Grayling, a fulfilled life is best achieved through art, love and the pursuit of knowledge. As in his bestselling The Meaning of Things, these short informal essays on aspects of ethics, ideas and culture, inspire us to begin the quest.
£12.99 in UK only Dr A. C. Grayling is Reader in Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is the author of numerous philosophical books and the acclaimed biography of William Hazlitt, and is also a distinguished literary journalist and broadcaster. He writes a regular column in the Guardian, and is a Contributing Editor of Prospect magazine.
Weidenfeld & Nicolson Orion House 5 Upper Saint Martin's Lane London, WC2H 9EA
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Relevant reflections on a much-changed world,
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This review is from: Reason of Things (Hardcover)
This collection of essays is extraordinary and very thought provoking. Some of them are more interesting than others but in general, they make the reader think about a vast set of idea without trying to change his or her opinion. It is written with a lot of skill. As far as the criticism in other reviews regarding "attacks on God" and "calling people that believe in God uneducated", reader beware! The author is not directly attacking God nor doubting his existence but rather pinpoints institutionalized religion, which in my opinion IS one of the roots of evil in the world right now. Al-Qaeda? Extreme Islam? Child molesting by Catholic priests? Jews and Palestines killing each other mercilessly? Bush's conservative and discriminatory Christian-right agenda? Need I say more???I could go on and on about all the thoughts and ideas this book provokes. Without a doubt, the essay on MEAT is the most powerful one. It presents many ugly realities that we choose not to see. Read this book and let yourself be compelled to think alternatively about life's issues.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another Very Enjoyable Read,
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This review is from: Reason of Things (Hardcover)
I moved directly to reading this book having enjoyed reading Graylings previous book, The Meaning of Things, and I wasn't disappointed.Given the brevity of the articles, sure they can't give you an in-depth discussion on the topic, but its just deep enough to get one thinking about the topics. I'm sure any reader of this book will take away some favourite sections. For me, the entries on Religion & Evil were particularly thought-provoking (no connection intended). I think this would be an excellent 'pocket-book' to dip into for anyone in their late teens trying to come to terms with the world. Only disappointment - no Bibliography, so when Grayling frequently quotes other Authors / Philosophers, I don't know where to go to for further reading; so now I'm trying to find a work by Midas Dekkers (from the entry on Decay). Grayling doesn't profess to be a Philosopher (contrary to what someone else wrote about him on the flyleaf) - but says that (a) he teaches Philosophy and (b) he studies Philosophy. He writes very well.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grayling's Gray Matter,
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This review is from: Reason of Things (Paperback)
I won't deny I'm somewhat biased, but Grayling is an excellent writer and these essays are stunningly stimulating food for thought. Though I might suggest it be read in bed, after reading it you may just wish to get up and walk off the meal.
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