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On Being Me

A Personal Invitation to Philosophy
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( 81 ratings, 12 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
On Being Me by J. David Velleman delves into the philosophical and psychological exploration of individual identity. Velleman takes readers on a journey through concepts of self-awareness and personal identity, questioning the nature of what it means to be oneself. The book seamlessly intertwines philosophical theories with psychological insights, offering a thought-provoking examination of the complexities of human consciousness.
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Format: Hardback
$2999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are intrigued by discussions exploring identity, selfhood, and what it truly means to be an individual. It's perfect for those who appreciate philosophical and psychological insights into the human experience, seeking to deepen their understanding of personal existence.

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A moral philosopher's meditations on some of life's most important questions

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A moral philosopher's meditations on some of life's most important questions

We've all had to puzzle over such profound matters as birth, death, regret, free will, agency, and love. How might philosophy help us think through these vital concerns? In On Being Me, renowned moral philosopher J. David Velleman presents a concise, accessible, and intimate exploration into subjects that we care deeply about, offering compelling insights into what it means to be human.

Each of Velleman's short, personal chapters begins with a theme: 'Being Glad I Was Born,' 'Wanting to Go On,' 'Fearing the End,' 'Regretting What Might Have Been,' 'Aspiring to Authorship,' 'Making Things Happen,' and 'Wanting to Be Loved.' Reflecting on how daily life presents us with thorny riddles that need working out, Velleman arrives at unexpected conclusions about survival and personal identity, the self and its future, time and morality, the rationality of regret, free will and personal efficacy, and goodness and love. He shows that we can rely on our own powers of thought to arrive at a better understanding of the most fundamental parts of ourselves - and that the methods of philosophy can help get us there.

Beautifully illustrated by New Yorker contributing artist Emily Bernstein, On Being Me invites us to approach life philosophically.

'A pithy guide to eternal questions, by a specialist in ethics and moral psychology.' - Sarah Lyall, New York Times Book Review

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?

J. David Velleman's On Being Me is praised as a concise exploration of philosophical themes, with an engaging style that avoids technical jargon. The book is accompanied by charming illustrations and offers a personal meditation on timeless questions. It introduces various topics like the self and free will, maintaining relevance to everyday life without delving into overly professional discourse.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691200958

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 14 April 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 15 b/w illus.

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Emily Bernstein

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 178.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 112

About the Author

J. David Velleman is professor of philosophy and bioethics at New York University (retiring in 2020) and the Miller Research Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University. His books include How We Get Along and Self to Self. He is a founding editor of the open-access journal Philosophers' Imprint. He lives in New York City. Emily C. Bernstein is a visual artist and animator who lives in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has been published in the New Yorker and on Vice.com.

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