This book is aimed at the reader who is serious about confronting the big issues in life but is turned-off by books which deal with them through religion, spirituality or 'psycho-babble'. It is for people who want an honest, intelligent discussion which doesn't hide from the difficulties or make undeliverable promises. It aims to help the reader to understand the overlooked issues behind the obvious questions and shows how philosophy does not so much answer them as help provide us with the resources to answer them for ourselves.
What's It All About?: Philosophy and the Meaning of Life
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‘A practical but charming exploration… It’s witty, it’s engaging and it’s easy to pack: perfect beach reading for the disaffected’ -- The Observer
‘Baggini makes philosophy not only mind- stretching but also entertaining’ -- Publishing News
‘Baggini makes philosophy not only mind- stretching but also entertaining’ -- Publishing News
About the Author
Julian Baggini is the editor and co-founder of The Philosophers' Magazine. He writes regularly for the Guardian, Independent and Independent on Sunday, Prospect and the TES, and has appeared on Nightwaves and In Our Time. He is the author of Making Sense: Philosophy Behind the Headlines (OUP) and Atheism: A Very Short Introduction (OUP).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Bill
Format:Hardcover
What a powerful book. Baggini dissects all the thoughts and ideas we might hold about what life means to us: "Seize the Day!", religious belief, transcendence through meditation. Each idea is thoroughly examined with great clarity and dispensed with as being the meaning of life.
I won't ruin the conclusion of the book for you but it is both human and convincing, placing greater responsibility on you.
If you like the style of Alain de Botton's popular philosophy books (e.g. Status Anxiety) this is similarly clear and readable but far more persuasive and tightly argued.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
With this book Julian Baggini continues to qualify himself as a contemporary successor of Bertrand Russell. In a clear and entertaining prose he shows us the contribution philosophy and philosophers can make, if we look for the meaning of (our personal) life. Baggini blows metaphysical fog away but doesn't oversimplify. Let me mention especially chapter 4 "Here to help", where he discusses the proper place altruism may have in a meaningful life. "If the meaning of life is to help others, then only those doing the helping can lead meaningful lifes. The people being helped are thus mere instruments to the end of giving purpose to the altruists." (p. 65) Baggini doesn't deny the importance of altruism but emphasizes that altruism makes sense in defending values which go beyond itself. "Becoming a contender" (chapter 7) is an extraordinary good read too. Here Baggini follows more or less the old bumper sticker saying "Life's a mountain not a beach" but pleads for not choosing a mountain of exaggerated height in relation to your personal capacities. "To raise a happy family, or live your life pursuing your passion, no matter which recognition you get, should be seen as a success." (p. 123) That's a good example for the overall line of differentiated common sense the book follows. In criticizing the promises of ideological and religious beliefs (see especially chapter 9 "Lose your self") there is also a strong democratic and egalitarian commitment in the book: you don't need (or even more: beware of) any guru or esoteric knowledge to find the meaning of your life - just look and struggle yourself.
39 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Baggini has written a small book on a huge subject.I dread to think how much money I have spent over the years on books about "the meaning of life" that have turned out to be new agey/semi-religious wiffle waffle - leaving me confused and anxious.This book is easily understood, precise and comforting, offering ideas about life that are balanced and practical. Baggini recognises our differences and imperfections and without judgement uses philosophy to help us out. I recommend that everyone buys a copy. Immediately. Thankyou Mr Baggini.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Meaning of Life ........explained??
Very happy with this purchase....went through the process of explaining subjects where people find meaning....and then giving the pros and cons. Read more
Published 9 months ago by S. Sherwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works for me
I think the negative reviewers are being harsh. Of course the author doesn't come to a neat conclusion - hardly likely given the subject. Read more
Published on 4 April 2011 by Mr. R. Horberry
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and thought provoking philosophy
According to Jean-Paul Sartre: ''Purpose and meaning are not built in to human life, we ourselves are responsible for fashioning our own purposes. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2011 by Simon Laub
5.0 out of 5 stars
Accessible introduction to philosophy
Intelligent writing with a light-hearted, entertaining approach. Each chapter discusses a so-called answer to the meaning of life e.g. Read more
Published on 20 April 2010 by Kats
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well then
The book is okay. I like the candid style and language style - not to bogged down in jargon- but felt there was something lacking in the book as it didn't hold my interest.
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by Lee K. Freeman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Apparantly, its all about dead ends
The author writes very well and dumbs down some complex ideas, but at the end of the day you are none the wiser. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by asp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
So what's it all about? Think you know the answer? Well if you do or if you fancy a philosophical approach to this intriguing question this is the book for you. Read more
Published on 16 Sep 2008 by Alex Ireland
3.0 out of 5 stars
An invitation
Talking about big questions, searching for the meaning of life is no picnic. Of course, Baggini has not written this cute little book to actually provide THE answer - he is merely... Read more
Published on 19 Dec 2006 by Renée Janssen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compact grand tour of the subject
A small volume that provides food for thought about the big issues. One small gripe would be that, like most philosophers, Baggini tends at times to think that knowledge can be... Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2006 by Alan Urdaibay
5.0 out of 5 stars
What's it all about? Your on your way to finding out after finishing...
Excellent. The question to what is the meaning of life, as Julian Baggini states, involves not just one question but many. Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2006 by Sean Gainford
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