The Meaning of Life: A Very Short Introduction

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Terry Eagleton (John Edward Taylor Professor of English at the University of Manchester)

The Meaning of Life

A Very Short Introduction

Terry Eagleton (John Edward Taylor Professor of English at the University of Manchester)

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English

Oxford University Press
24 July 2008

Literary theory; Literary studies: from c 1900 -; Philosophy; History of Western philosophy; Religion & beliefs; Cultural studies

Series: Very Short Introductions

"'Philosophers have an infuriating habit of analysing questions rather than answering them', writes Terry Eagleton, who, in these pages, asks the most important question any of us ever ask, and attempts to answer it.

So what is the meaning of life? In this witty, spirited, and stimulating inquiry, Eagleton shows how centuries of thinkers - from Shakespeare and Schopenhauer to Marx, Sartre and Beckett - have tackled the question. Refusing to settle for the bland and boring, Eagleton reveals with a mixture of humour and intellectual rigour how the question has become particularly problematic in modern times. Instead of addressing it head-on, we take refuge from the feelings of 'meaninglessness' in our lives by filling them with a multitude of different things: from football and sex, to New Age religions and fundamentalism.

'Many of the readers of this book are likely to be as sceptical of the phrase ""the meaning of life"" as they are of Santa Claus', he writes. But Eagleton contends that in a world where we need to find common meanings, it is important that we set about answering the question of all questions; and, in conclusion, he suggests his own answer.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable."

By: Terry Eagleton (John Edward Taylor Professor of English at the University of Manchester)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 174mm, Width: 111mm, Spine: 8mm
Weight: 122g
ISBN: 9780199532179
ISBN 10: 0199532176
Series: Very Short Introductions
Pages: 128
Publication Date: 24 July 2008
Audience: Adult education , General/trade , Tertiary & Higher Education , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface 1: Questions and Answers 2: The Problem of Meaning 3: The Eclipse of Meaning 4: Is Life What You Make It? Further reading

Reviews for The Meaning of Life: A Very Short Introduction

`Review from previous edition The book's a little gem.' Suzanne Harrington, Irish Examiner (Cork) `Light hearted but never flippant.' The Guardian. `Wonders never cease. This is popular philosophy by an amateur in the best sense of the word, a man who clearly loves the stuff and writes plain English...[Eagleton] makes his case well and with a light touch.' The Guardian (Review) `It is a stimulating and often entertaining, if at times rather breathless, Cook's tour around the chief monuments of western philosophy and literature...The Meaning of Life is unusual and refreshing.' John Gray, The Independent `[Eagleton] makes his case well and with a light touch... I stand convinced.' Simon Jenkins, Guardian Book of the Week `A lively starting point for late-night debate.' John Cornwell, Sunday Times `Warm intellectual pleasure...meticulous treatment of the subject...It looks like Eagleton got it right.' Mario Pisani, The Financial Times `The name Terry Eagleton...assures us of stimulation, style, sparkling, sometimes acerbic, wit, and wide-ranging erudition. In other words he is eminently readable...[a] commendably pocket-sized book.' Gordon Parsons, Morning Star `With sparkling effrontery, panache, and deft footwork, Eagleton moves from ironic flippancy and caustic demolition to resolute affirmation.' Marina Warner