What is 'the meaning of life'? This book aims to summarise and discuss 3,500 years of philosophy on the topic in order to make these ideas accessible to the layperson. It aims to cover the most important thinkers who addressed the meaning of and in life in their work, and from their ideas emerges a possible model of a 'Best Self'.
Every human wonders what the meaning of their life is. The billions of souls that have ever lived have struggled to understand and justify their existence. In the past 3,500 years, philosophers have grappled with this question and tried to make sense of it. No one has ever summarised and analysed the ideas, musings, views and solemn pronunciations of over 200 philosophers to search out answers to the question.
This book is written in plain language in order to illuminate a path for anyone else to follow and attempts to break down the traditional barriers into accessing the Buddha in India; Confucius in China; Kamija in Japan; Marx and Bakunin in Russia; Kant and Nietzsche in Europe; Al-Kindi Ibn Sina (Avicenna) in the Middle East; Equiano in Africa; Lame Deer in North America; Zambrano in Latin America; Aboriginal and Maori philosophy in Australasia; and many others.
By analysing these themes, a model emerges towards a 'Best Self'. But why seek to be a better version of you? This book explores the debt we owe to our ancestors and the urgent need for best selves in order to overcome the climate crisis and explore other worlds, so that we may preserve humanity for millennia to come.
