The Art of Life

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book The Art of Life by Zygmunt Bauman, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Zygmunt Bauman ISBN: 9780745658513
Publisher: Wiley Publication: May 20, 2013
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Zygmunt Bauman
ISBN: 9780745658513
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: May 20, 2013
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

In our individualized society we are all artists of life – whether we know it or not, will it or not and like it or not, by decree of society if not by our own choice. In this society we are all expected, rightly or wrongly, to give our lives purpose and form by using our own skills and resources, even if we lack the tools and materials with which artists’ studios need to be equipped for the artist’s work to be conceived and executed. And we are praised or censured for the results – for what we have managed or failed to accomplish and for what we have achieved and lost.
In our liquid modern society we are also taught to believe that the purpose of the art of life should be and can be happiness – though it’s not clear what happiness is, the images of a happy state keep changing and the state of happiness remains most of the time something yet-to-be-reached.

This new book by Zygmunt Bauman – one of the most original and influential social thinkers writing today – is not a book of designs for the art of life nor a ‘how to’ book: the construction of a design for life and the way it is pursued is and cannot but be an individual responsibility and individual accomplishment. It is instead a brilliant account of conditions under which our designs-for-life are chosen, of the constraints that might be imposed on their choice and of the interplay of design, accident and character that shape their implementation. Last but not least, it is a study of the ways in which our society – the liquid modern, individualized society of consumers – influences (but does not determine) the way we construct and narrate our life trajectories.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In our individualized society we are all artists of life – whether we know it or not, will it or not and like it or not, by decree of society if not by our own choice. In this society we are all expected, rightly or wrongly, to give our lives purpose and form by using our own skills and resources, even if we lack the tools and materials with which artists’ studios need to be equipped for the artist’s work to be conceived and executed. And we are praised or censured for the results – for what we have managed or failed to accomplish and for what we have achieved and lost.
In our liquid modern society we are also taught to believe that the purpose of the art of life should be and can be happiness – though it’s not clear what happiness is, the images of a happy state keep changing and the state of happiness remains most of the time something yet-to-be-reached.

This new book by Zygmunt Bauman – one of the most original and influential social thinkers writing today – is not a book of designs for the art of life nor a ‘how to’ book: the construction of a design for life and the way it is pursued is and cannot but be an individual responsibility and individual accomplishment. It is instead a brilliant account of conditions under which our designs-for-life are chosen, of the constraints that might be imposed on their choice and of the interplay of design, accident and character that shape their implementation. Last but not least, it is a study of the ways in which our society – the liquid modern, individualized society of consumers – influences (but does not determine) the way we construct and narrate our life trajectories.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book Partnering for Recovery in Mental Health by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Innovation and Production Ecosystems by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Non-Destructive Evaluation of Corrosion and Corrosion-assisted Cracking by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Das Ende der Nacht by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Psychiatry by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Modernity and Ambivalence by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Catholic Theology by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Mauerwerk Kalender 2016 by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Risk Less and Prosper by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Sweet, Reinforced and Fortified Wines by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Wiley Series 10 Securities Licensing Exam Review 2019 + Test Bank by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Funding Your Retirement by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Biostatistics Decoded by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book Exercise Therapy in the Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders by Zygmunt Bauman
Cover of the book The Stress Test Every Business Needs by Zygmunt Bauman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy