The Death of God and the Meaning of Life

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Religious
Cover of the book The Death of God and the Meaning of Life by Julian Young, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Julian Young ISBN: 9781135020897
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 16, 2014
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Julian Young
ISBN: 9781135020897
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 16, 2014
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

What is the meaning of life? In today's secular, post-religious scientific world, this question has become a serious preoccupation. But it also has a long history: many major philosophers have thought deeply about it, as Julian Young so vividly illustrates in this thought-provoking second edition of The Death of God and the Meaning of Life.

Three new chapters explore Søren Kierkegaard’s attempts to preserve a Christian answer to the question of the meaning of life, Karl Marx's attempt to translate this answer into naturalistic and atheistic terms, and Sigmund Freud’s deep pessimism about the possibility of any version of such an answer. Part 1 presents an historical overview of philosophers from Plato to Marx who have believed in a meaning of life, either in some supposed ‘other’ world or in the future of this world. Part 2 assesses what happened when the traditional structures that give life meaning began to erode. With nothing to take their place, these structures gave way to the threat of nihilism, to the appearance that life is meaningless. Young looks at the responses to this threat in chapters on Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, Foucault and Derrida.

Fully revised and updated throughout, this highly engaging exploration of fundamental issues will captivate anyone who’s ever asked themselves where life’s meaning (if there is one) really lies. It also makes a perfect historical introduction to philosophy, particularly to the continental tradition.

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

What is the meaning of life? In today's secular, post-religious scientific world, this question has become a serious preoccupation. But it also has a long history: many major philosophers have thought deeply about it, as Julian Young so vividly illustrates in this thought-provoking second edition of The Death of God and the Meaning of Life.

Three new chapters explore Søren Kierkegaard’s attempts to preserve a Christian answer to the question of the meaning of life, Karl Marx's attempt to translate this answer into naturalistic and atheistic terms, and Sigmund Freud’s deep pessimism about the possibility of any version of such an answer. Part 1 presents an historical overview of philosophers from Plato to Marx who have believed in a meaning of life, either in some supposed ‘other’ world or in the future of this world. Part 2 assesses what happened when the traditional structures that give life meaning began to erode. With nothing to take their place, these structures gave way to the threat of nihilism, to the appearance that life is meaningless. Young looks at the responses to this threat in chapters on Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, Foucault and Derrida.

Fully revised and updated throughout, this highly engaging exploration of fundamental issues will captivate anyone who’s ever asked themselves where life’s meaning (if there is one) really lies. It also makes a perfect historical introduction to philosophy, particularly to the continental tradition.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Bringing Ethics Alive by Julian Young
Cover of the book Feminism Seduced by Julian Young
Cover of the book Approaches to the Qur'an by Julian Young
Cover of the book The Collapse of China's Later Han Dynasty, 25-220 CE by Julian Young
Cover of the book Migrant Marginality by Julian Young
Cover of the book Solution-Focused Brief Therapy by Julian Young
Cover of the book Open and Distance Learning Today by Julian Young
Cover of the book Prime Time Animation by Julian Young
Cover of the book Changing Gay Male Identities by Julian Young
Cover of the book The European Union Decoded by Julian Young
Cover of the book Mentalizing in Arts Therapies by Julian Young
Cover of the book Volume 12, Tome III: Kierkegaard's Influence on Literature, Criticism and Art by Julian Young
Cover of the book Ship Building, Sale and Finance by Julian Young
Cover of the book Gerontological Social Work in Home Health Care by Julian Young
Cover of the book Affective Self-Esteem by Julian Young
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