The Examined Life: Philosophical MeditationsOne of the twentieth century's most original and controversial philosophical thinkers, Robert Nozick brilliantly renews Socrates' quest to uncover the life that is worth living. In The Examined Life, Nozick meditates on the age-old subjects of death, sexuality, happiness, politics, God - the central questions of our existence- Through these philosophical essays, written in his trademark accessible and practical style, Nozick inspires personal reflection and poses compelling new questions about how we think about ourselves and the world around us. From the introduction, where Nozick states, "My concern in writing here is the whole of our being; I would like to speak to your whole being, and to write from mine," to the notorious essay "The Zigzag of Politics," where Nozick refutes his earlier claims of libertarianism, this book proves itself a modern masterpiece of philosophy. Convincing, insightful, challenging, The Examined Life is an enthralling journey into the self, and into one of the great philosophical minds of our time. |
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action activities actually alternative analog appropriate Aristotle aspects attention become belief better connection consciousness constitute continue created creative deepest reality depth desire dimensions of reality direction divine effects egoistic stance emotions evaluative dimensions everything evil existence experience machine external fact factors feel felt qualities focus focused further give goals greater reality happiness hence Holocaust human ideal limit identity important infinite integration intense involves Kabbalist kind Leibniz lives matrix meditation merely mode nature negative notion object one's organic unity ourselves particular perfect perhaps person philosophers pleasure pleasure principle polyhedron positive possible worlds problem of evil proportionality question reality principle realm relation response Robert Nozick romantic love self's sexual simply situation someone sometimes specify spiritual teachers Spock structure symbolic theory things tradition truth understanding universe valuable value and meaning W. V. Quine weight well-being wisdom Wladyslaw Tatarkiewicz