Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World: Landau, Iddo: 9780190657666: Amazon.com: Books

List Price: $28.95 Details

Save: $6.37 (22%)

No Import Fees Deposit & $16.26 Shipping to Finland Details

Delivery Monday, July 31. Order within 22 hrs 2 mins

Or fastest delivery July 13 - 27

Deliver to Finland

Only 1 left in stock - order soon

[{"displayPrice":"$22.58","priceAmount":22.58,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"22","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"58","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"pi4Lz1oU0NUH2Ww5MbMqVMmhsAM0jjjRLiE0t3BlK2Gzvo%2Fjdx%2FF9iUVCfW5Ds60xcSm5JkfMtVeZ9zUK8t%2FQD0cDGZ0rE2Ee%2BTO56nkxq965F9O0ZFGndxSGW%2FJ3INmrJFkSZmESngDTNVuB2qwjqOwCBHphxJZBVPt6Mlb7BegeKSXxvFpX4fje2v4EEWe","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0},{"displayPrice":"$8.77","priceAmount":8.77,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"77","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"pi4Lz1oU0NUH2Ww5MbMqVMmhsAM0jjjRJK3wtepa6rBMTChHxyYpqbCYutcKej%2Bq%2FaV1hc2tPTQ4Nsa7M2UmkDlML8c8PfwKN5h0g0i40f6HaIcfCMI4eM5oLuZRAxuBaKGT1ViyCk0f9Xyo0FFBGKxDkm8pY%2Bqp2x9Fol%2B6sVzsm1uHL2WcsQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]

$$22.58 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Payment

Secure transaction

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

Collectiblecounty

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Details

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Ships from

Amazon

Sold by

Collectiblecounty

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Delivery Tuesday, August 1

Or fastest delivery Monday, July 24. Order within 23 hrs 2 mins

Deliver to Finland

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Florida Dealz 4 u

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Added to

Unable to add item to List. Please try again.

Have one to sell?

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$22.58
+ $16.27 shipping

Sold by: Collectiblecounty

Added

Not added

$24.10
+ $16.27 shipping

Sold by: Amazon.com

Flip to back Flip to front

Follow the Author

Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World Hardcover – August 1, 2017

by Iddo Landau (Author)

4.2 87 ratings

See all formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

"Please retry"

—

—

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$22.58

$15.98

$4.82

"Please retry"

$16.11

$5.04

Kindle
$9.99 Read with Our Free App
Hardcover
$22.58

16 Used from $4.82 26 New from $15.98
Paperback
$18.95

7 Used from $5.04 20 New from $16.11

Purchase options and add-ons

Does life have meaning? Is it possible for life to be meaningful when the world is filled with suffering and when so much depends merely upon chance? Even if there is meaning, is there enough to justify living?

These questions are difficult to resolve. There are times in which we face the mundane, the illogically cruel, and the tragic, which leave us to question the value of our lives. However, Iddo Landau argues, our lives often are, or could be made, meaningful―we've just been setting the bar too high for evaluating what meaning there is.

When it comes to meaning in life, Landau explains, we have let perfect become the enemy of the good. We have failed to find life perfectly meaningful, and therefore have failed to see any meaning in our lives. We must attune ourselves to enhancing and appreciating the meaning in our lives, and Landau shows us how to do that.

In this warmly written book, rich with examples from the author's life, film, literature, and history, Landau offers new theories and practical advice that awaken us to the meaning already present in our lives and demonstrates how we can enhance it. He confronts prevailing nihilist ideas that undermine our existence, and the questions that dog us no matter what we believe. While exposing the weaknesses of ideas that lead many to despair, he builds a strong case for maintaining more hope. Along the way, he faces provocative questions: Would we choose to live forever if we could? Does death render life meaningless? If we examine it in the context of the immensity of the whole universe, can we consider life meaningful? If we feel empty once we achieve our goals, and the pursuit of these goals is what gives us a sense of meaning, then what can we do? Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World is likely to alter the way you understand your life.

Print length

312 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

August 1, 2017
Dimensions

8.5 x 1 x 5.6 inches
ISBN-10

0190657669
ISBN-13

978-0190657666
See all details

Frequently bought together

Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World

$22.58

Get it as soon as Monday, Jul 31

Only 1 left in stock - order soon.

Sold by Collectiblecounty and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.

+

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

$16.99

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Added to Cart

One of these items ships sooner than the other.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

Most purchased | Highest ratedin this set of products
Rick Rubin
2,613
Hardcover
in Creativity
$19.49
$16.90 shipping
Lowest Pricein this set of products
Thomas Hurka
48
Paperback
$10.83
$15.22 shipping
This item:
Iddo Landau
87
Hardcover
$22.58
Get it as soon as Monday, Jul 31
$16.27 shipping
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Oliver Burkeman
7,680
Paperback
$13.99
$15.51 shipping
Susan Wolf
70
Paperback
$22.95
$15.36 shipping
Harry G. Frankfurt
76
Paperback
$15.95
$14.88 shipping
Jennifer M. Morton
81
Paperback
$17.95
$15.36 shipping
Only 2 left in stock (more on the way).
Catherine Price
568
Hardcover
$17.44
$16.38 shipping

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a book about the meaning of life, and what it's meaningful to spend your life doing...Landau has this wonderfully down-to-earth, imperfectionist approach, which is based on criticising certain unspoken assumptions that we make about what it means to spend life meaningfully. One of the recurring themes through this book is that having a definition of meaning that most humans can't achieve is a sort of weird, unnecessary cruelty to yourself. We are tiny little individuals on a globe of billions, tiny pinpricks of consciousness in aeons of cosmic time―so if you think you've got to affect that picture, to change the cosmos in some way in order for yours to count as a meaningful life, then basically none of us ever could. But it doesn't actually need to follow that if, in 100 years' time, nobody has any notion that I ever did anything, or even existed, then my life has been meaningless as a result." -- Five Books

"this well-written book of Landau should not be missed by academic or non-academic readers who are generally interested in the topic of the MoL. To borrow the author's phrase, the overall discussion of this book "ought not remain on the theoretical level, but be seen as guidelines for improving the meaning of life" (p. 228). Even if one does not bear any practical agenda, reading through the book brings great intellectual enjoyment, in particular, decent training of philosophizing. Moreover, for those who would like to expand their philosophical curriculum, this book provides an excellent reference." -- Xiao Ouyang, School of Philosophy, Wuhan University, The Journal of Value Inquiry

"Landau's wisdom shines through, offering sound advice for making one's life feel more meaningful and worthwhile." -- Gavin Vance, Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Evolutionary Psychological Science

"...it may very well be the best one on the market. It is accessible to a wide audience, including non-academics. As such, this book could be a good recommended read to persons struggling with finding meaning or work in their lives." -- Caitlin Maples, The Journal of Value Inquiry

"[This] book impressively achieves its main goal: Landau improves both academics' and non-academics' thinking about this important topic, and helps us making and considering our lives more meaningful... I hope that similar books will soon further exemplify contemporary analytic philosophy's great potential to inform cognitive therapy or self-help." -- The Philosophical Quarterly

"While most of the recent philosophical work on meaning in life is very theoretical, Landau's book is engaging, accessible, and pitched toward those who have genuine concerns about the value or worth of their lives ... This book would work very well in undergraduate courses dealing with meaning in life or well-being. That the book's working account of the meaningful life leaves room for further specification could function as a basis for productive and fun uses in the classroom ... On the whole, Iddo Landau's book is a wonderful contribution. It is a delightful read and should prove a helpful resource for teachers and for researchers who work on the meaning of life. And, perhaps most importantly, this book offers people hope and guidance for living a meaningful life in our all too imperfect world."--Stephen M. Campbell, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"This book is rare in being thoroughly versed in many philosophical discussions of the meaning of life, yet full of practical wisdom. Completely accessible to anyone who finds the question of meaning urgent, it sets a standard few discussions of the topic manage to reach." --Simon Blackburn, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Research Professor at UNC Chapel Hill, and Professor at the New College of the Humanities

"A deep exploration of the main questions and answers in the meaning of life literature. A pleasure to read." --Owen Flanagan, James B. Duke Professor of Philosophy at Duke University

"Written for the generally educated reader, but of interest to the professional philosopher, Iddo Landau's book is a guide to making life meaningful under less than ideal conditions. Landau is a careful, informed navigator, showing the reader how to reach a meaningful life despite obstacles such as suffering, death, evil, randomness, and a lack of free will. Making insightful philosophical points without jargon, referring to literature and the arts to illustrate, and also plumbing people's psychologies to identify mental blocks, Landau's book is practically wise and theoretically profound." --Thaddeus Metz, Distinguished Research Professor, University of Johannesburg

About the Author

Iddo Landau is Professor of Philosophy at Haifa University, Israel. He has published extensively on the meaning of life.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (August 1, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0190657669
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0190657666
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 1 x 5.6 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,142,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #593 in Humanist Philosophy
- #2,836 in Spiritualism

Customer Reviews:
4.2 87 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Iddo Landau

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

87 global ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all customer images

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Addresses the Roots of Many Sources of Existential Angst

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

Landau's book was transformative for me with respect to several things that have long caused me existential angst. His insights regarding perfectionism were illuminative. Historically, I would never have used the word "perfectionist" to describe myself. Landau disabused me of that error in my thinking. Unknowingly, I set unattainably high standards for myself in nearly all aspects of my life and, because they were so high, I inevitably and routinely failed to meet them. To an outsider looking at my life, that would be very hard for them to understand – I'm more fortunate in what I have in all aspects of my life than, probably, 99.9% of all humans who have ever lived.

Existentially, the fact of my having lived today will have no impact in the not-too-distant future has bothered me. Soon after my death, it will be as though I had never existed. In a mere 1,000 years, there will be no residual evidence of my life – certainly none that could be found without a close examination with an electron microscope! That has bothered me in the sense of: "If my life has no lasting meaning, what's the point?" What I now understand is that I was applying a perfectionist standard to myself – I was applying the standard that would apply to an immortal God to a human being (me). What Landau argues, in part, is that meaning is not a binary concept: The choice isn't between perfect meaning and no meaning at all (using that perfectionist standard, no human would have any meaning). Instead, the more relevant comparison is between *some* meaning and no meaning at all and that having some meaning is better than having no meaning. When one applies that standard, almost everyone will find *some* meaning in their lives. If you are kind to someone and help relieve some burden or pain that they are suffering, that is good and therefore meaningful. It's more meaningful than never having done anything – therefore your life has meaning. It is not a life of ultimate and perfect meaning as a result of that act of kindness but it has more meaning than no meaning at all.

Other chapters had a similar impact on my thinking.

The one chapter where Landau fell short was the chapter regarding free will. I was not convinced by his arguments there. But, I have since started looking at other writers and thinkers about that subject and I am examining that issue separately. But, that was just a minor "defect" in the book for me. Overall, it's brilliantly insightful and well-written.

23 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 25, 2018

Verified Purchase

This author is great at taking your mind on a philosophical trip. Many new ideas and viewpoints regarding life, meaning, and the afterlife which I'd never considered before. I will warn this book is tailored for atheists and agnostics. Ironically, I'm back to exploring religion, which is by no means because of reading from this book (its goal seems to be to comfort those without faith through rationality and not spirituality) but I don't regret being able to see things from such interesting points of view. I recommend this to atheist acquaintances who are done with religion but want something to hold on to.

5 people found this helpful

... book is a classic of philosophical work in the best sense. The author identifies and defines the topic ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 30, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book is a classic of philosophical work in the best sense. The author identifies and defines the topic (People CAN indeed find meaning, even in an imperfect world), then presents and criticizes arguments against this claim. The first two-thirds of the book consist of the above-described arguments, but the last third includes practical suggestions as to how one can find/create meaning in ones life. The presentation, arguments and criticisms are all well articulated and relatively easy to read and understand. This is an excellent book on the concept of meaning and is hereby recommended to anyone looking for a thorough but practical and readable treatment of the same.

15 people found this helpful

Clear, level headed book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

Clear and concise, with a practical approach through and through that manages to remove obstacles to good thinking on the topic of the meaning of life without getting bogged down in endless arguments about arguments.

One person found this helpful

gingblack@aol.com

Best book I read this year

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

Finding meaning is a difficult subject. There are dozens of self help books on the subject. This is not a self help book but a philosophical book. What stands out to me is how clear and logical the writing and analysis is. The book teaches and invites introspection. Great book.

3 people found this helpful

The End is in fact the Means.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 1, 2018

Verified Purchase

Bought the kindle electronic version on Dec 31 at 9PM. Read until 12AM.
Woke up on Jan 1st 2018 feeling different. Mr Landau delineated the concept of 'Means and an End' in a way I was needing to hear.
Greatly written book...

Customer image

7 people found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 21, 2018

Verified Purchase

quite repetitive and wordy, yet some good advice

One person found this helpful

Andrew Atkinson

The best book, against philosophical pessimism, on the market.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 12, 2017

I have read thousands of books and hundreds of philosophy books. The issues surrounding the value and meaning of life, are of especially great interest to me. I have endeavored to read most anything of importance; concerning the complicated debates surrounding the value of life. I am presently agnostic on where I stand. I must admit though, that I lean towards the pessimistic side of things. Dr. Landau, makes many important arguments against many of the central pessimistic arguments. I think many, if not most of his arguments are correct. At the very least, his arguments are worth serious consideration. Of course there are other grounds for pessimism, then the ones he covers. That being said, he makes many great correctives(in my view) concerning many popular pessimistic ways of thinking. Any book that corrects sloppy thinking; especially concerning issues of momentous importance; should be applauded. This is the best book, arguing against pessimism that I have been able to find. It is also very enjoyable to read and you don't need a background in philosophy to understand it. I give it, my highest recommendation. I suggest reading this alongside great pessimistic books: such as Dr. Benatars, book "The Human Predicament", and Colin Felthams book "Depressive Realism".

36 people found this helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Rob Holland

Textbook

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 11, 2021

Verified Purchase

I read many reviews before buying a book. Don't often comment enough on the good and not so good ones. This book read like a dry textbook. I found it repetitive with few real world examples.

anonymous

Swiftly dispatched

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

Nothing to dislike!

See all reviews

Get to Know Us

Make Money with Us

Amazon Payment Products

Let Us Help You

English $USD - U.S. Dollar United States

© 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates