The Reason of Things: Living with Philosophy

The Reason of Things: Living with Philosophy

by Prof A.C. Grayling (Author)

Synopsis

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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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Edition: 1st Edition
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Published: 08 Aug 2002

ISBN 10: 0297829351
ISBN 13: 9780297829355
Book Overview: THE MEANING OF THINGS has sold over 13,000 copies in hardcover. AC Grayling is establishing himself as the media's preferred philosopher. Rights sold in four territories.

Media Reviews
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
Author Bio
Anthony Grayling teaches philosophy at Birkbeck College, London and is a Fellow of St Anne's, Oxford. He reviews regularly in the Financial Times. He has a regular column in Prospect and the Guardian on Saturday.