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Philosophy and Life: Exploring the Great Questions of How to Live
How should I live my life? What values shall I live by? What sort of person should I be? What shall I aim for?In this summation of a lifetime thinking and writing about these great questions, A. C. Grayling explores with clarity and depth the ideas that each of us must use in answering it for ourselves.Drawing on the lives, experiences and works of a fantastically eclectic range of thinkers - taking in not only philosophers such as Confucius, Seneca and Nietzsche, but also authors from Shakespeare to Ursula LeGuin, and modern thinkers such as Martha Nussbaum and Simon May - Philosophy and Life brings together wisdom from across eras and continents in a tour de force on the philosophy of how to live your life.
448 pages, Paperback
Published April 6, 2023
198 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
About the author
A.C. Grayling
95 books666 followersAnthony Clifford "A. C." Grayling is a British philosopher. In 2011 he founded and became the first Master of New College of the Humanities, an independent undergraduate college in London. Until June 2011, he was Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London, where he taught from 1991. He is also a supernumerary fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford.
He is a director and contributor at Prospect Magazine, as well as a Vice President of the British Humanist Association. His main academic interests lie in epistemology, metaphysics and philosophical logic. He has described himself as "a man of the left" and is associated in Britain with the new atheism movement, and is sometimes described as the 'Fifth Horseman of New Atheism'. He appears in the British media discussing philosophy.
He is a director and contributor at Prospect Magazine, as well as a Vice President of the British Humanist Association. His main academic interests lie in epistemology, metaphysics and philosophical logic. He has described himself as "a man of the left" and is associated in Britain with the new atheism movement, and is sometimes described as the 'Fifth Horseman of New Atheism'. He appears in the British media discussing philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 8, 2023
What an excellent introduction to some key philosophies. I have read a little of Grayling before and found myself struggling to catch on. This book is very clear except for the second last chapter where he waffles on a bit. The distinction between philosophy and religion was well handled as was his explanation of the difference between ethics and morals. I have always explained these terms as ethical principles and moral behaviour despite frequent encounters with people who think they have the same meaning.
August 31, 2024
The meaning of a meaningful life is what the person living it—this might be you, the reader of these words—honestly and authentically want[s] it to be, can make it to be, and can make a case for it to be in the face of sceptics who might challenge it on the grounds of how it affects others.
This book was not the crash course in philosophy that I hoped for, and while many of the messages probably flew right over my head, it was definitely an interesting cross-examination of different schools of thought and how they define the "meaning of life." The author ultimately concludes that the meaning is what you make of it. I can't argue with that, although I slightly regret spending my entire summer reading a book that culminated with a pretty straightforward revelation that I've already had. But alas, my own personal philosophy is to let go of that which you cannot change, including and especially the past.
September 14, 2025
The way this book is actually a six star read.
September 1, 2024
Philosophy and Life by A.C. Grayling is a comprehensive and thought-provoking read. Its length and depth required some time to fully appreciate, but the effort is well worth it. The book presents a fascinating collection of reflections on topics ranging from everyday concerns to profound existential questions. Grayling, a skilled philosopher, approaches human struggles with a stoic perspective, offering valuable insights into how we can navigate life's challenges*.
*(If you are looking for answers of how to live your life, this not the book. While it offers insights, it DOESN'T offer tips or a quick formulae)
However, it's important to note that the book leans heavily towards Stoic philosophy. Grayling’s strong humanist and secular viewpoints are consistently evident throughout, shaping his interpretations and conclusions. While these perspectives are well-articulated and valid, readers should be mindful that they influence the overall philosophical stance of the book.
Personally, I found the chapters on happiness, the pursuit of-, death, love, and duties to be particularly compelling. These sections offer rich material that I anticipate revisiting and rereading in the future.
In the chapter on love, Grayling presents and analyzes the story of Heloise and Abelard with both beauty and depth, exploring it from a philosophical perspective.
Overall, Philosophy and Life is a stimulating exploration of philosophical ideas and their application to everyday living, with certain chapters standing out as especially insightful.
*(If you are looking for answers of how to live your life, this not the book. While it offers insights, it DOESN'T offer tips or a quick formulae)
However, it's important to note that the book leans heavily towards Stoic philosophy. Grayling’s strong humanist and secular viewpoints are consistently evident throughout, shaping his interpretations and conclusions. While these perspectives are well-articulated and valid, readers should be mindful that they influence the overall philosophical stance of the book.
Personally, I found the chapters on happiness, the pursuit of-, death, love, and duties to be particularly compelling. These sections offer rich material that I anticipate revisiting and rereading in the future.
In the chapter on love, Grayling presents and analyzes the story of Heloise and Abelard with both beauty and depth, exploring it from a philosophical perspective.
Overall, Philosophy and Life is a stimulating exploration of philosophical ideas and their application to everyday living, with certain chapters standing out as especially insightful.
December 21, 2025
Philosophy and Life - Exploring the Great Questions of How to Live
by
A. C. Grayling
What is a good life? This is a question that has captured the minds of so many thinkers before us and probably will continue to captivate generations to come. In practical terms, the answers may vary, depending on the constraints of any given epoch. However, in more abstract terms, there may be some truth that could last through time.
More than anything, Grayling challenges the reader to think for themselves, to not simply be accepting of tradition for the sake of it and to not be unquestioning in the basic premises of our worldview. With, perhaps obvious, exceptions, most anything could be considered a good life, if chosen after careful consideration.
In this book, Grayling begins with an introduction of different schools of thought from various times in history. In part II, Grayling discusses each of the aforementioned philosophical traditions, their theoretical implications and compares and contrasts them with one another. The point is not to say that one is inherently superior to another. Rather, the author wishes to lead the reader in a discussion that sparks interest and self-reflection.
Consider picking up a copy during this festive season; maybe for a loved one; maybe even for yourself.
by
A. C. Grayling
What is a good life? This is a question that has captured the minds of so many thinkers before us and probably will continue to captivate generations to come. In practical terms, the answers may vary, depending on the constraints of any given epoch. However, in more abstract terms, there may be some truth that could last through time.
More than anything, Grayling challenges the reader to think for themselves, to not simply be accepting of tradition for the sake of it and to not be unquestioning in the basic premises of our worldview. With, perhaps obvious, exceptions, most anything could be considered a good life, if chosen after careful consideration.
In this book, Grayling begins with an introduction of different schools of thought from various times in history. In part II, Grayling discusses each of the aforementioned philosophical traditions, their theoretical implications and compares and contrasts them with one another. The point is not to say that one is inherently superior to another. Rather, the author wishes to lead the reader in a discussion that sparks interest and self-reflection.
Consider picking up a copy during this festive season; maybe for a loved one; maybe even for yourself.
October 16, 2025
Acestă carte mi-a plăcut în mod deosebit deoarece expune un mod de viață, un mod de a trăi existența care îți este dată prin intermediul unor idei filosofice. Persoanele care se întreabă "Care este sensul vieții"? sau "Care este scopul meu în viață/țelul meu principal?" pot găsi aici răspunsuri revelatoare menite -bineînțeles - a fi puse în practică.
Cartea trece prin virtuțile pe care iubirea de înțelepciune le-a expus cu patru secole înainte ca creștinismul să apară: de la practicarea sofismului pentru a ajunge la epistemologie, până la practicarea iubirii ca formă sublimă de existență și până la descrierea existențialismului ca formă de practică, nu doar ca un curent filosofic.
În opinia autorului, pentru a ajunge la adevărata fericire, la adevărata împlinire este necesar să treci prin toate etapele vieții: prin rațiune, cunoaștere, iubire, comuniune, păreri religioase (metafizice), etc.
Cartea se citește destul de ușor și o recomand tutror acelora care vor să pășească în domeniul filosofiei.
Cartea trece prin virtuțile pe care iubirea de înțelepciune le-a expus cu patru secole înainte ca creștinismul să apară: de la practicarea sofismului pentru a ajunge la epistemologie, până la practicarea iubirii ca formă sublimă de existență și până la descrierea existențialismului ca formă de practică, nu doar ca un curent filosofic.
În opinia autorului, pentru a ajunge la adevărata fericire, la adevărata împlinire este necesar să treci prin toate etapele vieții: prin rațiune, cunoaștere, iubire, comuniune, păreri religioase (metafizice), etc.
Cartea se citește destul de ușor și o recomand tutror acelora care vor să pășească în domeniul filosofiei.
January 15, 2024
At times, enlivening and at other times stuffy and frustratingly impenetrable as is wont for philosophers to write.
The end was great, summarising the themes of the book and explaining applications of Stoic, Epicurian, Cynic and Aristotelian philosophies to everyday life.
The middle part drones on a bit with what feels to be a very intellectual and philosophically informed opinion on lifes 'great concepts'; death, luck, love, duties etc.
The section on Victor Frankl and Paulo Levi had me on the edge of my seat as he drew insights from both Holocaust survivors, their written works providing a window into the darkest days of the 20th century and the capabilities for humans to overcome the insurmountable.
Overall a good read and a 'pop' philosopher that continues to engender my interest on the subject.
The end was great, summarising the themes of the book and explaining applications of Stoic, Epicurian, Cynic and Aristotelian philosophies to everyday life.
The middle part drones on a bit with what feels to be a very intellectual and philosophically informed opinion on lifes 'great concepts'; death, luck, love, duties etc.
The section on Victor Frankl and Paulo Levi had me on the edge of my seat as he drew insights from both Holocaust survivors, their written works providing a window into the darkest days of the 20th century and the capabilities for humans to overcome the insurmountable.
Overall a good read and a 'pop' philosopher that continues to engender my interest on the subject.
August 24, 2023
‘The message derived from discussions of Socrates’ question has been carried like candles across those floods, to provide illumination for anyone who wish to see. It is the simple but deep insistence that the philosophy by which one lives has to be individually and consciously chosen, for to repeat: everyone lives a philosophy, yet the vast majority live a philosophy they are unaware of, which they did not choose for themselves, which was in sensibly instilled in them by those they live among and the time and circumstances they live in - an unconscious philosophy which is in control of them than the other way around.’
June 18, 2024
4.5*
Very informative book on how philosophy can help us consider our direction and values in life. This very much focuses on the main Ancient Greek philosophers and schools, such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, though it touches on existentialism, Daoism and Buddhist philosophy. The weight of the book suited my taste - not like a textbook, but not super chatty. Note that Grayling is (not without reason) very anti-religion, arguing that it makes a virtue of not questioning, but instead blindly accepting dogma and a 'one-size-fits-all' set of guidelines.
Note to editors: the Pinyin is 'renao', not 'rinao' (p.xvii). And it's 'ziran', not 'ziren' (p.77)
Very informative book on how philosophy can help us consider our direction and values in life. This very much focuses on the main Ancient Greek philosophers and schools, such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, though it touches on existentialism, Daoism and Buddhist philosophy. The weight of the book suited my taste - not like a textbook, but not super chatty. Note that Grayling is (not without reason) very anti-religion, arguing that it makes a virtue of not questioning, but instead blindly accepting dogma and a 'one-size-fits-all' set of guidelines.
Note to editors: the Pinyin is 'renao', not 'rinao' (p.xvii). And it's 'ziran', not 'ziren' (p.77)
September 21, 2025
A sometimes verbose, but always interesting look at how to answer the question "How should I live?".
I particularly liked the way the book drew from literature and the recent history of the holocaust as well as philosophical writings from across the world and history to illuminate the problems, possible solutions and limitations we have when trying to answer the question.
The comparison between the ancient schools and the activism apparently demanded by our present situation felt important and while noted was barely touched on and I would have liked more exploration in to how practical and applicable those philosophies are now.
I particularly liked the way the book drew from literature and the recent history of the holocaust as well as philosophical writings from across the world and history to illuminate the problems, possible solutions and limitations we have when trying to answer the question.
The comparison between the ancient schools and the activism apparently demanded by our present situation felt important and while noted was barely touched on and I would have liked more exploration in to how practical and applicable those philosophies are now.
December 7, 2025
“What’s the best book you’ve read?” became a mirror rather than a question—because some books don’t seek to be ranked, they quietly rearrange the way you see everything else.
Finishing this book felt like stepping out of a long conversation with existence itself, where clarity arrives not as answers, but as a deeper, sharper form of wonder, and now I can decidedly answer that question by saying yes, this is the best book I've ever read.
Every page unfolded like a slow awakening, teaching that living thoughtfully is the greatest act of courage.
Its depth didn’t weigh the mind down—it lifted it, showing that the most powerful philosophy is simply learning how to look at life without filters.
Finishing this book felt like stepping out of a long conversation with existence itself, where clarity arrives not as answers, but as a deeper, sharper form of wonder, and now I can decidedly answer that question by saying yes, this is the best book I've ever read.
Every page unfolded like a slow awakening, teaching that living thoughtfully is the greatest act of courage.
Its depth didn’t weigh the mind down—it lifted it, showing that the most powerful philosophy is simply learning how to look at life without filters.
January 21, 2024
I feel very grateful and fortunate to have met Anthony, and his latest book did not disappoint. I would recommend it to any of my friends that want to get a bit of a better understanding on how to critically think and why doing so.
June 17, 2025
Engaging and thought provoking as I had hoped. Philosophy fascinates me
June 21, 2025
didnt finish
July 4, 2025
Quite a good book! Starts well and ends well, but the middle is a quite mundane and felt unremarkable, quite common sense in fact.
July 13, 2025
A more technical learning of philosophy that makes for more concentrated living. I really enjoy the author's personal thoughts and summary at the conclusion of the book
September 2, 2025
Didn’t get it
January 24, 2024
The first three-quarters of the book is a useful introduction to using philosophy in a practical way, i.e. to add meaning and value to one's life. Its focus is on the ways of living taught by the classical Greek philosophical schools, though it does direct a few respectful paragraphs toward Indian and Chinese philosophy. There are chapters that introduce ways of thinking about death, love, duty, luck and evil, which are straightforwardly and simply written.
In the book's last quarter the author loses his way to the point of indulging in a self-aggrandising autobiography, which while it displays his impressive credentials, adds little to the purpose of the book.
The author makes no bones about the fact that he is an atheist, using every opportunity to attack religion and how it indoctrinates people to believe things that he considers untrue only to then present his own unfounded beliefs with all the certainty of a religious zealot. This rather undermines his authority in directing the reader toward the benefits of philosophy, since his bias causes him to pass up undertaking an apposite discussion on faith, whether in gods, science, materialism, or one's favourite influencers. He also displays the usual atheistic blinkeredness of assuming that all spirituality is perforce tied to a religious institution. I think the writer of any introduction needs to at least try to be non-partisan.
But it's an easy enough read and there are good insights scattered through it, so anyone looking for a way into philosophy could do worse.
In the book's last quarter the author loses his way to the point of indulging in a self-aggrandising autobiography, which while it displays his impressive credentials, adds little to the purpose of the book.
The author makes no bones about the fact that he is an atheist, using every opportunity to attack religion and how it indoctrinates people to believe things that he considers untrue only to then present his own unfounded beliefs with all the certainty of a religious zealot. This rather undermines his authority in directing the reader toward the benefits of philosophy, since his bias causes him to pass up undertaking an apposite discussion on faith, whether in gods, science, materialism, or one's favourite influencers. He also displays the usual atheistic blinkeredness of assuming that all spirituality is perforce tied to a religious institution. I think the writer of any introduction needs to at least try to be non-partisan.
But it's an easy enough read and there are good insights scattered through it, so anyone looking for a way into philosophy could do worse.
October 18, 2024
Leído en el verano de 2023.
La filosofía puede ayudarnos a sobrellevar lo peor de la vida, a manejar con prudencia los momentos de disfrute y a añadir a nuestro mero existir todo el color y profundidad que adivina en las cosas el arte de la reflexión.
De entre aquellos filósofos que escriben con la vista puesta en el público general, no hay nadie como A. C. Grayling para hacerte de guía. Philosophy and Life es su mejor obra divulgativa, y la recomiendo encarecidamente como entrada e invitación a la práctica de una vida filosófica.
La filosofía puede ayudarnos a sobrellevar lo peor de la vida, a manejar con prudencia los momentos de disfrute y a añadir a nuestro mero existir todo el color y profundidad que adivina en las cosas el arte de la reflexión.
De entre aquellos filósofos que escriben con la vista puesta en el público general, no hay nadie como A. C. Grayling para hacerte de guía. Philosophy and Life es su mejor obra divulgativa, y la recomiendo encarecidamente como entrada e invitación a la práctica de una vida filosófica.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews