The Search for Meaning

by Thomas H. Naylor, William H. Willimon, Magdalena R. Naylor

Examines our lives intellectually, spiritually, and socially to address the "why" of our existence.

221 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Founder of the Internationally not recognized Second Vermont Republic and Professor Emeritus of Economics at Duke University.

Naylor believes in personal freedoms and liberties and has spoken out against consumerism.

Naylor is seeking to secede from the United States of America with his Second Vermont Republic.

Reviews

[Tristan Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, this book shines both conceptually in its general argument and in its interweaving of some very different outlooks on the world. Where it fails a bit is in the more individual pieces strung together in service of this: the Having and Workplace chapters which feel more like a rant you'd hear on the subway than a carefully composed and reflectively endorsed chapter in a book on meaning, the lack of references for most claims throughout, the outdated references to "personal computers" that make one cringe a bit when reading in the 21st century. I think it had many nuggets of wisdom, and would gladly reread the Being, Personal Search, and Soul Crafting chapters as I feel there is certainly more to grasp there than I got on the first pass. But the book largely felt like I was mining, sifting through some straightforwardly useless bits, and some other neutral bits, in a more wisdom nugget rich environment than your average book, but still with much dirt.

[Melissa]

I was recently at a financial planning conference, and one of the presenters recommended this book. Professors in economy, religion and psychology from Duke started a class called Search for Meaning, and that is what the book is based off of. They examine several states of being: meaninglessness, alienation, having and being. They also give advice on how to search for meaning (soul crafting) and finding meaning in work. I think it is a worthwhile read.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definately the most deliberate self-help book I've ever enjoyed reading. Enjoy reading is probably an understatement. I needed guidance and found it in this book. I won't say answers, but certainly clarification of where/how to go about getting them. I like that it's not philisophically heavy-handed. It sort of reads like a philisophical/spiritual workbook, which is great because one can draw guidance through it from oneself. You should read/do it.

[Covenant Presbyterian Springfield Ohio]

Call Number: 150 NAY

Available.