
The Meaning of Life: A Very Short Introduction - Very Short Introductions (Paperback)
Terry Eagleton (author)
£8.99
Paperback
128 Pages
Published: 24/04/2008
Published: 24/04/2008
'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.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199532179
Number of pages: 128
Weight: 122 g
Dimensions: 174 x 111 x 8 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
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 *
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 *
You may also be interested in...
Please sign in to write a review
Sign In / Register
Not registered? CREATE AN ACCOUNTCREATE A plus ACCOUNT
Sign In
Download the Waterstones App
Would you like to proceed to the App store to download the Waterstones App?
Click & Collect
Reserve online, pay on collection
Thank you for your reservation
Your order is now being processed and we have sent a confirmation email to you at
When will my order be ready to collect?
Following the initial email, you will be contacted by the shop to confirm that your item is available for collection.
Call us on or send us an email at
Unfortunately there has been a problem with your order
Please try again or alternatively you can contact your chosen shop on or send us an email at