Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change It: Wisdom of the Great Philosophers on How to Live - Softcover

Klein, Daniel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1780749880 ISBN 13: 9781780749884

Publisher: Oneworld Publications, 2015

Synopsis

“Every time I find the meaning of life, they change it.” The words of Reinhold Niebuhr provide the title and set the tone for what is a wryly humorous look at some of the great philosophical pronouncements on how life ought to be lived.

Fifty years ago Daniel Klein embarked on the study of philosophy at Harvard, where he began gathering wise words from the world's greatest thinkers. Now in his seventies, he revisits these pronouncements with characteristic warmth, charm and wonderfully dry sense of humour. Distilling the wonders of our greatest thinkers, from Epicurus and Nietzsche, all the way to Samuel Beckett, Klein is enlightening and never dull. This is a pithy and eminently readable meditation on one of the most profound subjects there is.

About this title

Review

‘A refreshingly spontaneous plunge into deep thought.’

(Booklist)

‘A delightful book that is easily applicable to any stage of life. Even when explaining the underlying theories behind a quote, the author’s writing is understandable for readers who have no prior philosophy background. Yet, philosophy students will also enjoy seeing the discipline applied to everyday life.’

(Library Journal)

'Klein offers new views on some of the most famous philosophical pronouncements published, with plenty of Pithies for everyone'.

(Press Association)

‘Wise, witty and entertaining. With his latest book Daniel Klein has given a fascinating spin to the ideas of the great philosophers and made them relevant – even necessary – for the dilemmas and possibilities of everyday living today.’

(Roman Krznaric, author of Empathy and The Wonderbox)

‘Daniel Klein’s relaxed and humorous style is deceptive. You will enjoy his wit and then realise that you have been treated to his wisdom. It is a superb introduction to philosophy, showing how its problems are not only intriguing and challenging but also of the utmost relevance to our lives.’

(Raymond Tallis, author of The Kingdom of Infinite Space)

From the Back Cover

A philosophical trip through life filled with warmth, humour and wise words – and including a new postscript written exclusively for this edition

What is the art of living well? Do you ever feel like Reinhold Niebuhr when he wrote the words “Every time I find the meaning of life, they change it”? Well you’ve come to the right place, because Daniel Klein once did too.

Fifty years ago, Klein began filling a notebook with short quotations from the world’s greatest thinkers – from Epicurus and Emerson to Camus and Beckett. Now he revisits the wisdom he so relished in his youth, bringing with him the wealth of rich experiences that eight decades of life have bestowed upon him. With his inimitable charm and insight, Klein gives us a delightful meditation on existence and all its possible meanings, making philosophy resonate with our everyday lives as only he can.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1780749880
• ISBN 13: 9781780749884
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 224