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. |
Contents
Introduction | 11 |
CONTENTS | 14 |
Dying | 20 |
Parents and Children | 28 |
Creating | 34 |
The Nature of God the Nature of Faith | 46 |
The Holiness of Everyday Life | 55 |
Sexuality | 61 |
Value and Meaning | 162 |
Importance and Weight | 170 |
The Matrix of Reality | 182 |
Darkness and Light | 205 |
Theological Explanations | 217 |
The Holocaust | 236 |
Enlightenment | 243 |
Giving Everything Its Due | 253 |
Loves Bond | 68 |
Emotions | 87 |
Happiness | 99 |
Focus | 118 |
Being More Real | 128 |
Selflessness | 141 |
Stances | 151 |
What Is Wisdom and Why Do Philosophers Love It So? | 267 |
The Ideal and the Actual | 279 |
The Zigzag of Politics | 286 |
Philosophys Life | 297 |
A Portrait of the Philosopher as a Young Man | 303 |
305 | |
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