Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World

by Iddo Landau

Does life have meaning? Is it possible for life to be meaningful when the world is filled with suffering and when so much depends merely upon chance? Even if there is meaning, is there enough to justify living?

These questions are difficult to resolve. There are times in which we face the mundane, the illogically cruel, and the tragic, which leave us to question the value of our lives. However, Iddo Landau argues, our lives often are, or could be made, meaningfulwe've just been setting the bar too high for evaluating what meaning there is.

When it comes to meaning in life, Landau explains, we have let perfect become the enemy of the good. We have failed to find life perfectly meaningful, and therefore have failed to see any meaning in our lives. We must attune ourselves to enhancing and appreciating the meaning in our lives, and Landau shows us how to do that.

In this warmly written book, rich with examples from the author's life, film, literature, and history, Landau offers new theories and practical advice that awaken us to the meaning already present in our lives and demonstrates how we can enhance it. He confronts prevailing nihilist ideas that undermine our existence, and the questions that dog us no matter what we believe. While exposing the weaknesses of ideas that lead many to despair, he builds a strong case for maintaining more hope. Along the way, he faces provocative questions: Would we choose to live forever if we could? Does death render life meaningless? If we examine it in the context of the immensity of the whole universe, can we consider life meaningful? If we feel empty once we achieve our goals, and the pursuit of these goals is what gives us a sense of meaning, then what can we do? Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World is likely to alter the way you understand your life.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Spirituality, Personal Development

312 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2020

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a classic of philosophical work in the best sense. The author identifies and defines the topic (People CAN indeed find meaning, even in an imperfect world), then presents and criticizes arguments against this claim. The first two-thirds of the book consist of the above-described arguments, but the last third includes practical suggestions as to how one can find/create meaning in ones life. The presentation, arguments and criticisms are all well articulated and relatively easy to read and understand. This is an excellent book on the concept of meaning and is hereby recommended to anyone looking for a thorough but practical and readable treatment of the same.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. An interesting book that discusses how to find meaning in one's everyday life, and why it can be so difficult for people to do so, with critiques on some of the main existentialist philosophies. While some of the points do seem like common sense, it helped me form an actual coherent thought process for some of my quarantine shower thoughts and overthinking and early 20s experiences. Solid read!

[Dr. Tobias Christian Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess the book helps to set course and navigate through storms. It’s a great book for everybody and one key message is: Losing meaning doesn’t make life meaningless.

#blinkist

[Mohammad Sadegh Rasooli · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://delsharm.blog.ir/1400/08/20/fm
«یافتن معنا در دنیای ناقص» را انتشارات آکسفورد سال ۲۰۱۷ منتشر کرده است. نویسندهٔ این کتاب، ایدو لاندو (۱۹۵۸-)، استاد فلسفهٔ دانشگاه حیفا است و تمام زیست علمی خود را وقف پژوهش در مورد معنای زندگی کرده است. ظاهراً کتاب با همین عنوان از نشر ترانه به فارسی ترجمه شده است. این کتاب در حوزهٔ فلسفه می‌گنجد اما نویسنده تمام تلاش خودش را کرده که کتاب برای عموم کتاب‌خوان‌ها آسان‌خوان باشد ولی در عین حال در پانویس‌ها ارجاع به منابع دقیق‌تر در هر موضوعی که بدان اشاره کرده داده است. به نظرم از این جهت نویسنده خیلی موفق بوده است. این کتاب در ۱۹ فصل بخش‌بندی شده است که ۱۰ فصل میانی در پاسخ به شبهات مختلف در مورد بی‌معنایی زندگی است و پنج فصل نهایی بیشتر حالت پیشنهاد و تا حدی جمع‌بندی دارد.

در فصل نخست، هدف آن است که اثبات شود آنچه که عموم از «معنا»ی زندگی مراد می‌کنند «ارزش» است. او حتی به بی‌معناپنداران (مانند نوشته‌های پایان عمر تولستوی)‌ ارجاع می‌دهد تا حرفش را دوباره به اثبات برساند.



«بحث‌هایی که با افراد قائل به بی‌معنای زندگی‌شان یا کسانی که در جستجوی معنادار کردن زندگی هستند داشتم همه گواه بر این مطلب است که بیشترشان درگیر مبحث ارزش یا بهای زندگی‌شان هستند.» (ص ۹، نسخهٔ انگلیسی)



او حتی یک قدم جلوتر می‌رود و این بی‌معنایی را در معناپنداری کمال‌طلبانه خلاصه می‌کند:

«زیست‌شناسی جاه‌طلب را می‌شناسم که اعتراف کرد او به این خاطر زندگی خود را بی‌معنا می‌دانست چون نتوانسته بود بعد از تلاش‌های بسیار به رأس قلهٔ موفقیت حرفه‌ای برسد. آن چیزی که برای او ارزش زیادی داشت شناخته شدن بود. وقتی متوجه شد به آن نمی‌تواند برسد، حس کرد زندگی‌اش بی‌معناست.» (ص ۹)



یکی از نمونه‌های دیگری که می‌آورد مهاجران به کشورهای دیگر است:

«گاهی برای افرادی که به فرهنگ دیگر یا خرده‌فرهنگ‌های دیگر مهاجرت می‌کنند رخ می‌دهد. به همین خاطر است که مهاجرت با خودش نحوی از بی‌معنایی به دنبال دارد: چیزی که در فرهنگ مبدأ ارزش قلمداد می‌شد اکنون ارزش ندارد و حالا آن‌ها از این که چه چیزی ارزشمند است دچار تردید شده‌اند.» (ص ۱۳)



خب؛ برای منی که بخش زیادی از عمرم را صرف رسیدن به قلهٔ موفقیت در حرفه‌ام کردم (و آن قله چه دور و چه ناپایدار است؛ در رشتهٔ هوش مصنوعی خیلی زور بزنی چند صباحی در قله می‌مانی بعد یکی می‌آید با کاری جدیدتر تو را از قله پرت می‌کند پایین) و یک دهه از عمرم را مهاجر بوده‌ام، حرف‌های این کتاب در فصل مقدمه عین واقعیت است. همین شد که به خواندن ادامه دادم.



به همین خاطر است که او در پایان فصل اول می‌گوید:

«اعتراض‌هایی که در مورد بی‌معنایی زندگی می‌شود، بیشتر ناظر به کم‌ارزشی یا ناکافی بودن ارزش در زندگی است.» (ص ۱۵)



در فصل دوم نویسنده نخست بر این نکته تأکید دارد که ارزش‌یابی زندگی و معنایابی به دقتی که در علوم دقیقه وجود دارد نیست (ص ۱۷). او معتقد است که معنادار بودن طیفی است که بالا و پایین می‌رود ولی هیچ وقت صفر یا صد می‌شود:

«حتی وقتی که درجهٔ معنا در زندگی‌مان را زیر حد تحمل می‌بینیم و به همین خاطر زندگی را بی‌معنا درمی‌یابیم، باز هم در نقطه‌ای از این طیف هستیم: زندگی‌مان دارای درجهٔ ناکافی از معناست اما بی‌معنا نیست.» (ص ۲۱)



نویسنده با دقتی فلسفی «ارزش در زندگی» و «معنا در زندگی» را متفاوت از «ارزشِ زندگی» و «معنایِ زندگی» می‌داند.

«در واقع، یکی از تلاش‌های این کتاب آن است که مخالف این دیدگاه باشد که باید حتماً چیزی اسرارآمیز در معنا وجود داشته باشد… معنا وجهه‌ای عادی از زندگی است.» (ص ۲۹)



فصل سوم کتاب جایی است که دلیل خواندن من بوده است. مدت‌ها برای عدم توفیق‌های زندگی‌ام دنبال روش‌های احیا از شکست بودم اما بعد از خواندن بخشی از کتاب «از حال بد به حال خوب» نوشتهٔ «دیوید برنز» (که هنوز بعد از چند ماه در حال خواندنش به صورت صفحه‌چکانی هستم) متوجه موضوعی مهم‌تر از شکست شدم: کمال‌طلبی. برخلاف آنچه که در دنیای متجدد تلقی می‌شود، نه تنها کمال‌طلبی خصیصه‌ای خوب نیست، بلکه خصیصه‌ای مسموم و افسرده‌کننده است. نویسندهٔ کتاب حاضر هم تمام حرفش را در مبارزه با کمال‌طلبی با دیدگاه نقد فلسفی خلاصه کرده است.



«آن چه که کمال‌طلبی تلقی می‌شود آن است که کمال‌طلب‌ها نمی‌توانند ارزش ماهوی موجود در چیزهای ناقص را دریابند. به همین خاطر کلاً آن چیز ناقص را مردود اعلام می‌کنند.» (ص ۳۵)

«کسی که هیچ چیز خوبی در چیزهای ناقص نمی‌بیند، از هیچ چیزی رضایت ندارد.» (ص ۳۶)



او نوع دیگری از کمال‌طلبی را شرح می‌دهد که بیشتر دامن‌گیر افراد است. آن هم آن است که در مورد دیگران خیلی مشفقانه ضعف‌هایشان را می‌پذیرند، با آن‌ها با راحتی طرف می‌شوند اما وقتی سراغ ضعف‌های شخصی خودشان می‌روند، خیلی منتقدانه خود را به باد سرزنش می‌گیرند.

«اگر بگویند کتابم را در یک جمله خلاصه کنم می‌گویم: نسبت به خودتان بی‌رحم نباشید.» (ص ۴۱)



او برای مبارزه با این حالت درونی پیشنهادی کاربردی دارد: به زعم نویسنده، با وجود شتاب و رقابت شدید موجود در دنیای مدرن، بسیاری از افراد مخصوصاً کسانی که در دنیای حرفه‌ای مانند دنیای فناوری یا فضای دانشگاه زیست می‌کنند، ناخودآگاه همه چیز را از عینک رقابت می‌بینند و به همین خاطر فقط بالا بودن است که آن‌ها را از زندگی راضی می‌کند. چنین چیزی فقط برای عدهٔ خیلی کمی آن هم به صورت خیلی موقت شدنی است (مثلاً در هوش مصنوعی که زمینهٔ تخصصی خودم است، کسانی که نوابغ عصر خود در آغاز دورهٔ دکترای من حساب می‌شدند و هنوز برخی‌شان سن‌شان به پنجاه هم نرسیده است، از سوی نسل جدید دانشجوهای دکتری هوش مصنوعی شناخته نمی‌شوند.) راه او روی آوردن به عادت‌های غیررقابتی و بدون صرفهٔ اقتصادی است. روی آوردن به هنر، کار عام‌المنفعه، رسیدگی به امور دیگران، و همهٔ این‌ها راه‌های مبارزه با این کمال‌طلبی مسموم است. جایی خوانده بودم که چقدر تمرین موسیقی می‌تواند به مبارزه با این کمال‌طلبی کمک کند (مقاله‌ای از نیویورکر بود به گمانم). برای خود من، همین خلاصه‌نگاری از کتب ادبی، حوزه‌ای که نه تخصصی در آن دارم نه تمنایی برای پیشرفت ملموس، خیلی کمک کرده است که بفهمم نیاز نیست آدم برای هر کاری تمنای بالا رفتن به اوج قلهٔ موفقیت داشته باشد. این فضای مسموم در نسل‌ بچه‌های المپیادی و رتبه‌های بالای کنکور، دانشجوهای دانشگاه‌های شناخته‌شده و پژوهشگران حوزهٔ تخصصی خیلی دیده می‌شود. به همین خاطر برای کسانی که در این وادی نیستند، عجیب است که چطوری می‌شود استاد دانشگاه مثلاً رتبهٔ زیر دهِ دنیا اینقدر افسرده باشد! به قول یکی از همکارانم در فیس‌بوک می‌گفت یک بار به روان‌شناس مراجعه کرد و روان‌شناس پرسید: قصه چیست که این همه مراجع از فیس‌بوک و ایسنتاگرام دارم حال آن که این شرکت هم از موفق‌ترین شرکت‌هاست و هم در مقایسه با بقیهٔ جاها بیشتر به کارمندانش حقوق و مزایا می‌دهد.



در فصل چهارم کتاب او به عواقب کمال‌طلبی می‌پردازد:

«تمناهای مطلق‌گرایانه از داشتن دانش در نهایت منجر به هیچ‌انگاری (نیهیلیسم) می‌شود: از آنجایی که ما هیچ گاه به قطعیت مطلق برسیم، پس هیچ نمی‌دانیم.» (صص ۵۱-۵۲)



او از این جهت یکی از خوبی‌های مذهب را مفهوم عبادت و دانستن این مفهوم که مطلق فقط خداست و همه ناقص هستند می‌داند. همین امر که بدانیم که موجوداتی ناقص هستیم به ما آرامشی عمیق می‌دهد. او از این جهت به ادبیات و خصوصاً شعر بها می‌دهد که به انسان در مورد زیبایی‌های ظاهراً‌ دم‌دستی هشدار می‌دهند مانند شعری که در مورد زیبایی غنچه‌ای اشاره می‌کند که گاه هر روز از کنارش رد می‌شویم بدون آن بدان توجهی داشته باشیم.



«شما اگر با رویکرد درست این کار را انجام دهید، حتی در ماهیگیری نیز معنا می‌یابید. در زیبایی و سکوتی که در فضا هنگام ماهیگیری است.» (ص ۵۸)



از فصل پنجم به بعد به شبهات در مورد بی‌معنایی می‌پردازد. شبهاتی مانند مرگ و نیستی، کوچکی انسان در مقابل تمام کائنات، اصل موجبیت، نسبی‌گرایی و بدبینی، هدف زندگی، تناقض انتها، تألم، و خباثت انسانی. او برای هر کدام از این شبهات توضیحات بلندبالایی می‌آورد که در این نوشته نمی‌گنجد. تنها جایی که شبهه را وارد می‌داند نیستی حاصل از مرگ در صورت عدم اعتقاد به زندگی بعد از مرگ است. اینجاست که او دوباره اشاره به کمال‌طلبی می‌کند و می‌گوید همین دمی که زنده هستیم معناهای زیادی قابل دریافت است که با آن‌ها می‌شود به زندگی ارزش بخشید. با آن که نویسنده در هیچ کجای کتاب اشاره به متدین بودن یا نبودن خود نمی‌کند و شاید از این جهت وفاداری خودش به بحث فلسفی را حفظ می‌کند، اما جاهایی به شکل مضمونی زندگی عرفای متدین را دارای معنایی ازلی و ابدی و پررنگ‌تر از بی‌اعتقادان می‌بیند. اما با این وجود او در فصل‌های نهایی کتاب به افرادی می‌تازد که با دیدن بدی‌های دنیا و ذره‌بین گذاشتن روی بدی‌ها سعی در بی‌معناپنداری جهان دارند. از این جهت شاید این حرف او مرا یاد شهید مطهری می‌اندازد. نمی‌دانم در کدام کتاب یا سخنرانی بود که شهید مطهری نیز به تاریخ می‌تازد که تاریخ ماهیتاً در مورد روایت ظلم و جور و جابجایی پادشاهان و جنگ بین ملل و درون ملل است اما زندگی مردم در این میانه با مودت و رواداری در جریان بوده است. نویسندهٔ این کتاب از این جهت حتی اخبار را نیز از جهت استدلالی بی‌جهت می‌داند: «اگر سگی مردی را گاز بگیرد خبر نیست اما اگر مردی سگی را گاز بگیرد خبر است.» در انتهای کتاب او به فلاسفهٔ اگزیستانسیالیست مانند نیچه، کیرکیگارد، هایدگر، سارتر و آلبر کامو (ناظر به کتاب افسانهٔ سیزیف) انتقاد می‌کند که کمال‌طلبی انتزاعی موجود در استدلال‌های آنها (مانند ابرمرد نیچه) و پیوست دادن زیست اصیل به غم (ناظر به کتاب هستی و زمان هایدگر) اول آن که خیلی غیرواقعی است و ثانیاً بیش از اندازه نخبه‌مدارانه است حال آن که مردم عادی نیازی به این جور استدلال‌های پیچیده برای یافتن معنا ندارند.



نویسنده در نهایت همه را دعوت به این می‌کند که برای شادتر بودن انتظارات خود را از زندگی واقعی‌تر کنند. او پنج راهکارش را این طوری خلاصه می‌کند: ۱. برای فرار از کمال‌طلبی با این فکر که اگر چیزی کمال و تمام به آن نرسیم پس بی‌خیال رسیدن مبارزه کنیم. مثلاً چون نمی‌توانم در حد کنسرت ویلون یاد بگیرم، پس اصلاً یاد نمی‌گیرم. ۲. همان طور که نسبت به اشتباهات دیگران با آن‌ها مشفقانه رفتار می‌کنید، با خودتان مهربان باشید و این قدر به خاطر نرسیدن‌ها خودتان را ملامت نکنید. ۳. گذشته و آینده با حال در ارتباطند و این حرف که فقط حال را دریاب غلط است اما این هم غلط است که معنای زندگی را مطلقاً پیوست به امری کنیم که قرار است در آینده به آن برسیم. ۴. نسبت به خود بی‌رحم نباشید. ۵. برای بسیاری معنای زندگی در کار و فعالیت نهفته است. پس کار کنید.



خیلی بیشتر از این‌ها از این کتاب یادداشت برداشته بودم اما فرصت نوشتن فراهم نیست. با وجود این که با برخی از استدلال‌های کتاب نمی‌توانم به راحتی کنار بیایم، اما این کتاب را مخصوصاً در مقایسه با استدلال‌های روان‌شناسانه خیلی رضایت‌بخش می‌بینیم. کتاب برای کسانی مانند من که به حرف‌های مثبت‌اندیشانهٔ روان‌شناسان با میزان زیادی از تردید می‌نگرند، خوب است. این کتاب از دریچهٔ منطق به معنا جهان می‌نگرد و به همین خاطر برای افرادی که بیشتر دوست دارند با مسائل حتی عاطفی جهان با وجهی از منطق روبرو شوند کاربردی خواهد بود.

[Kamila · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me 2 years to finish this book, not because it’s long, but because life happened, and the chapters are best read and then digested. Persevere if you think parts are plodding; there are terrific gems of perspective here that will genuinely change how you view your life.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.
It's hard to rate a non-fiction book; containing various subjective points.

Philosophical and enlightening. Convoluted at times, but overall a decent read that contains not only some good 'advice,' but analogies. I found myself skimming some sections, and only by going back to read them thoroughly, I gained a better understanding. (Still not a COMPLETE understanding, but nevertheless, some adolescent-level grasp of the concepts.)

The chapters are more like sections, not completely connected nor based on one another. Certain chapters resonated with me more than others.

My personal takeaways:

1. AVOID PERFECTIONISM.
Ah, perfectionism. A recurring topic that's plagued me my whole life thus far.

2. BALANCE/MODERATION.
There isn't one single answer or formulation to the meaning of life. Rather, it is having/achieving the balance between several elements of meaning: altruism, egoism, individualism, sociability, physicality, and spirituality.

As well, a feeling of meaninglessness comes from a disconnect/gap between expectation and reality.

"Many people who feel that their lives are meaningless have a degree of meaning in their lives that is just below a threshold of sufficient meaning; all they need is to increase that meaning a little bit so that it can pass that threshold. And to make that happen, what they often need is merely to correct the imbalance between the different aspects of meaning in their lives. Their lives are not meaningful enough not because everything they do is wrong but because they do too much of some things or not enough of others. To fix the problem, they have to balance the elements better; they need to diminish some elements or increase others rather than obliterate completely what there is and create something wholly new."

3. INVEST (constant) WORK.
Meaningfulness in life takes conscious, continuous effort. Realize, reevaluate regularly.

"Yet some people find it hard to accept that they need to invest work in order to enhance or maintain the meaning of their lives. This is surprising, since most people accept that improving or maintaining their health, happiness, love, artistic abilities, knowledge, or even more concrete and immediate things such as their financial situation or the cleanliness of their home requires work. It is odd, then, that when it comes to living a meaningful life, they adopt a passive attitude, as if they expect that it will happen by itself, complain bitterly when it does not, and invest no real effort in making their lives meaningful. They find distasteful the notion that meaning has to be worked for. They would prefer it just to show up."


EXCERPTS:

- Against Perfectionism:
"We can appreciate those we do not idolize; we can respect those we criticize. While perfectionists, disgusted with those whom they cannot idolize, hold that no meaning can be found in this world, nonperfectionists hold that the less-than-perfect can have meaningful lives if there is enough that is valuable in them. Moreover, the less-than-perfect can have extremely meaningful lives if there is a high degree of value alongside the flaws."

- Death and Annihilation:
"The analogy to floor sweeping, which aims to show how death or annihilation renders life meaningless, seems to me to substantiate the opposite claim: that death and annihilation, although diminishing the meaning of life, need not demolish it. Suppose, again, that immediately after we finish sweeping the floor someone steps on the part of the floor we have cleaned and dirties it, so that we have to do it all over again. This of course gives us the feeling that we are working in vain and that our effort is pointless-we may as well not bother at all. However, we do not normally feel this way when the floor we have cleaned becomes dirty after a couple of days. We enjoy the cleanliness of the floor for several days; it has worth for us. Perhaps we would have liked it even better had the floor remained clean for a few days longer or even for weeks, months, or forever. But we accept that we have to s floor every few days and, enjoying its cleanliness for those days, do sweep the not think that our work and activity were meaningless because their consequence was not eternal. The example of the swept floor, then, does not support the view that death destroys all meaning in life but, on the contrary, shows that, although death and annihilation diminish worth, they do not destroy it completely. What is transient is not of perfect value. But it is of some value, and that may well be very much. What is true for floor sweeping is also true for most of our other activities. We do not think that eating, washing dishes, sleeping, and making our bed in the morning are meaningless activities, although their results are not eternal and we have to do them over again periodically. If we thought that, we would not bother eating or washing dishes. Much of what we find to be worthwhile is transient, and this transience does not make it worthless."

- Conclusions:
"...we should opt not for the most meaningful life possible but for the most meaningful life possible FOR US. And when we look back at our lives thus far, we should ask ourselves not whether we have lived in the best possible way but whether we have lived in the best possible way given our abilities and limitations, including our fears, inhibitions, and insecurities, our capacity to endure pain, uncertainty, and loneliness, and our gifts or lack thereof. (True, some of these conditions can, under certain circumstances, be changed to some degree.) It is also important, of course, not to yield too quickly, and to investigate thoroughly whether we might after all be capable in the area that interests us, and whether obstacles may be surmountable. We should expect early failures and difficulties, and should not see them as proof that a certain direction is wrong for us. Moreover, sometimes the efforts themselves are worthwhile, even if they do not bear fruit.

Because of differences in temperament and inclination, abilities and circumstances, it is only to be expected that different people will identify and choose different things as meaningful. Just as different people require different medications on the basis of their specific conditions, strengths, or ailments, different people also have to choose for themselves what is most suitable for them according to their strengths, weaknesses, and the specific circumstances of their lives. If our decisions are genuine, they may well differ from other people's genuine decisions. Hence, although we may well learn from other people's experiences when trying to increase meaning in life, we cannot just copy what others do. We have to decide for ourselves. This is also why it is usually not fruitful to ask the general question that people most commonly ask: 'So what is the meaning of life?'"

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a real slog; it's taken me almost a year to get through this. There were definitely lots of nuggets of wisdom in here, and it's something I will refer back to if/when I fall back into a depressive state, but like most philosophy texts I've read it's just so dry (despite the interesting subject matter!).

I would recommend reading a summary of this book (if it exists) to anyone who is prone to existential crises. Definitely would not recommend reading the entire book.

[Erick Lima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World is a laid back philosophy book aimed towards the people instead of other academics. It is offers life improvement through philosophical discussion as the Greeks of Old once did. The topic of discussion is whether or not our lives are meaningful and if they are how much meaning could they possible have? This is done through a two pronged approach of first dispelling the common presumptions that people have about their own life as well as encouraging readers to develop their own mastery and mindfulness. It is a book that has broad appeal and helps the reader along many logical fallacies. What this book does right is inspire the audience to approach their lives with many different ways to create and cherish their own value.

[Illanaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very clearly written book that deconstructs arguments for the meaninglessness of life and provides strategies for finding meaning in an imperfect world. As an older person, much of the book seems like common-sense comments on issues that I've dealt with at earlier stages of my life. Also, no where does the author clearly state what makes life meaningful; the take-away is that you can choose to find meaning in whatever part of your life makes you want to wake up in the morning. Nevertheless, most of us occasionally find ourselves doubting that our lives have sufficient meaning, and this book is a helpful corrective.

[Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wordy and repetitive. The counterarguments to others' arguments are often vague appeals to the author's sense of what's true or typical (e.g., "Author says X, but many people find that's not true if they think about it.") As a result, the first chapter and the last few paragraphs were the most valuable, covering a definition of "the meaning of life" (or "meaning in life") and the author's views on how to avoid pitfalls in thinking about the meaning of life.

[Anomilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a lot of points for thought. My most valuable quote from this book is the following: " "I have no general goal or purpose to my life, I just live a life the includes a sufficient number of aspects of sufficient value" can be a good reply to questions such as "what do you live for?" Or "what is the goal of your life?" "

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually describe philosophy books as warm, but that’s exactly how I felt while reading this. The book is written in a way that you can read it lying down (which is also uncommon for a philosophy book…). I like how Prof. Landau writes short chapters and separates his points into fragments, making everything what he says organized, clear, and less intimidating 😅. Obliquely this book also gave me more language to articulate the things I do find meaningful in my life so far (which is empowering!!).

My hot take is that I actually think everyone who gives this book a chance would love it.

My favourite chapters:
- Ch2: Implications
- Ch3: Against Perfectionism
- Ch4: Anticipations of Non-Perfectionism
- Ch10: The Goal of Life
- Ch11: Paradox of the End
- Ch12: Human Evil
- Ch14: Why We Are Blind to Goodness
- Ch15: Identifying (I)

[Filip Klaučo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some arguments for the meaning of life are interesting; however, overall, I assume that I won’t remember any of them for long. I acknowledge the author’s reasoning that life has meaning but that only works within a binary system. However, if we look at it from the perspective that everything exists on a spectrum, then the meaning of life lies very close to the part of the spectrum that borders on meaninglessness. Therefore, I don’t draw much more comfort from the idea that my life is almost meaningless than I would if it were entirely meaningless.

Moreover, if from now on we start attributing importance to things that lie on the margins of the spectrum, it will also have other practical implications in real life. In such a world, we could never hurt a NPC in a video game, because doing so would be morally wrong even if only to an absolutely minimal degree.

[Thao Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially nice for teenagers I think. Tackle common jumps in logic regarding the meaning in/of life. Written like a paper, with clear structure and typical parts like defining terms, literature review. Personally wish I read it 2 years ago during a period of constant existential crisis. Some of the strategies I learned to adopt comes up in the book, but it was quite time-consuming and painful to learn them the hard way.

I don't agree with everything the author believes. But it's fine, he makes it clear where it is a logical conclusion from facts and where it is a grounded opinion, and where that opinion comes from.

Some parts are a bit boring.

[Mark Matzeder · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a lot of words to say "Each of us finds our own Meaning." Also "lower your expectations."
Author Iddo Landau has something to say, but I'm not necessarily his target audience. My brother gave me the book--bedecked with black ribbon--as a wry gift last Christmas, summed entirely by the book's title, I didn't even need to read it to get the joke.
Landau makes some good points but transferring the question of Meaning from the realm of the Objective to that of the Subjective doesn't really answer the philosophic question.

[Yameen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very profound book that captures much insight & wisdom into finding meaningfulness in life through various avenues. Its definitely a book i would recommend that opens up the mind & changes perspectives on life. Its ironic that the author argues against spiritual/religious meanings in life yet much of his insights are spiritual in nature.

[reDEEmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely not a light or quick read. The book is more people-oriented rather than scholarly or academic. In a nutshell, it seems to convey that one can actually find meaning even when circumstances appear meaningless.

[Eduardus Leeuwenhoofd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the first part engaging to look for meaning, and the argument against perfectionism enlightening as well as practical. But the second part of the book I found quite repetitive and also kind of wordy considering the substance.

[Christopher Cagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life does not have meaning it is just life. We bring meaning or give meaning to our lives.

Not the most eloquent writer, but thorough arguments throughout. I would probably love to be a student in his classroom, more than a reader of his sometimes dry prose. That said, I really like this book.

[Scott Constantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not light reading. It’s more philosophical treatise than pop-psychology. But if that’s your thing, there’s a lot of good in this book.

[Kristina Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. I CANNOT recommend it’s highly enough and hope more people find it and absorb the principles. It’s exceptional.

[Manish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oliver Burkeman recommended this work in a recent Five Books Interview. The work was insightful and showcased some novel ways of understanding the Meaning of Life.

[Tejas Ramdas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry but very thorough. Valuable read overall.

[Sam Sajjad Serajzadeh]

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[subzero · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably the best "how to think about your life" book i've ever read

[Colton Downs · Rating 3 out of 5]

first half was really good, got somewhat dull and repetitive by the end

[Georgina Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is valuable in and of itself. We may struggle at times to find its meaning but that doesn't mean it's not there or that it is purposeless. This is a philosophical digression on the meaning of life meainly directed to sceptics or cynics. I am not one of those but appreciated the breath of ideas it touches.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will leave the rating at 4 stars until I deliberate it more.

I had mixed feelings about this book, generally enjoyed it for the most part, reading certain sections with interest and enjoyment. There was a lot in this book to think about, the arguments presented by Iddo were written in a way that the common reader could understand, with the use of metaphors and simplistic language. I liked the topic of the meaning of life, it was something that interested and that I have thought about before. I could tell that Iddo was educated to discuss the topic at hand, but also came down to our level for us to understand it. His knowledge of philosophy applied to this book showed that he did both a lot of thinking about the topic and research on it. This book adds a ton to the discussion on the philosophical meaning of life.

But overall, I couldn't wait to finish this book and move onto the next one. There were days where I just couldn't find the interest or will to want to sit down and continue this book. Days where I struggled through even a couple of pages. Some of the content I read, even with the simplistic language, honestly went over my head and I had to read certain parts more than once. Even then, some of the content never made its way into my head and I had to move on. Some of what he was saying started to be a little repetitive, feeling like it was said too much. It maybe could've been a book that was shortened.

For the most part, I did enjoy this book and got into it, but it is not a book that I was in love with or engrossed in for the majority of my read. It was a book that got into my head and was not afraid to mess with it.

[Brian Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally excellent (although sometimes too much detail for me) writing. Two pages devoted specifically to finding meaning.
Author starts by suggesting that the term "meaning of life" essentially is about what one values for their own life. Most of the book explores philosophical arguments about whether or not life can be meaningful. A recurrent perspective is that perfectionism can be a major roadblock along the path to finding meaning for yourself.
The 13 chapters of various philosophies about meaning of life were a bit of a slog. I chose to continue through them because I rarely read philosophy and thought it good to broaden my awareness. The last 5 chapters provide a good wrap up along with a shorter descriptions of some other philosophical topics. There were a few kindly summary statements sprinkled amongst the philosophy expositions. The last two pages appeared to be what a kindly professor might offer students who made it to the end of term in his/her class. Landau called them "practical guidelines".

[Raul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book: Landau spends 2/3 of the book exposing and discussing what other thinkers and philosophers along the history have had to say about the meaning of life. The last part of the book is intended to help you make your self-assessment of the meaning present in your life and to learn to better identify it.

In chapter 15, Identifying I, you have a checklist which I found a fun exercise to apply to myself. I think it's even advisable to do it before reading the book (just my take of course), as you will start reading with your own questions and opinions about meaning in mind and will help you to take part in the discussions exposed in the first 14 chapters.

Many useful references to expand your reading and research in this field.