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Life Is Hard
How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way
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Check link for latest rating. ( 1,907 ratings, 255 reviews)
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Description
An eloquent, moving, witty and above all useful demonstration of philosophy's power to help us weather the storms of being human β Oliver Burkeman
A NEW YORKER AND THE ECONOMIST BEST BOOK OF 2022
I adore this book . . . Setiya is a deeply astute and generous guide . . . a clear and consoling modern voice, for which I'm enormously grateful β Derren Brown
At last a philosopher tackles the meaning of life and comes up with useful answers β James McConnachie, Sunday Times
Pain, Loneliness, Grief, Injustice ... Hope?
For too long we've been told that positive thinking is the key to living a happy life. But from personal trauma to the injustice and absurdity of the world, sometimes simply going on can feel too much. Could there be solace β and even hope β in acknowledging the hardships of the human condition?
Might doing so free us from the tyranny of striving for our "best lives" and could it inspire in us the desire for a better world? In this profound and personal book, Kieran Setiya shows how philosophy can help us find our way. He shares his own experience with chronic pain and the consolation that comes from making sense of it, and asks what we can learn from loneliness and loss about the value of human life.
Drawing on ancient and modern philosophy, as well as fiction, comedy, social science, and personal essay, Life Is Hard shows how philosophy can ultimately help us to make the best of a bad lotβ the human condition.
Exceptionally rich and subtle β Jonathan Derbyshire, Financial Times
Life may be hard, but Kieran Setiya shows us better ways to think about it β Katherine May, author of Wintering
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Life Is Hard by Kieran Setiya is praised for offering consolation during difficult times, providing a humane and philosophical perspective on life's adversities. It is described as akin to having a thoughtful conversation with a friend who provides gentle companionship and insights without insisting on forced positivity. The book addresses the unavoidable challenges of life such as loneliness, failure, and grief, offering clarity and tools for growth, kindness, and wisdom.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781529156164
Publisher: Cornerstone
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 05 October 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin (Cornerstone)
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 15.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 173g
Pages: 240
About the Author
Kieran Setiya was born in Hull and now teaches philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is the author of Midlife- A Philosophical Guide, and is the host of a podcast, Five Questions, in which he asks contemporary philosophers five questions about themselves. His writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Times Literary Supplement, the London Review of Books, and The New York Times.
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