The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions
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The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions
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Narrated by:
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Jay L. Garfield
About this listen
What is the meaning of life?
It's a question every thoughtful person has pondered at one time or another. Indeed, it may be the biggest question of all - at once profound and universal, but also deeply personal.
We want to understand the world in which we live, but we also want to understand how to make our own lives as meaningful as possible; to know not only why we're living, but that we're doing it with intention, purpose, and ethical commitment. But how, exactly, do we find that meaning, and develop that commitment? How can we grasp why we are here? Or how we should proceed? And to whom, exactly, we should listen as we shape the path we will walk? This comprehensive 36-lecture series from a much-honored scholar is an invigorating way to begin or continue your pursuit of these questions, and it requires no previous background in philosophical or religious thought.
It offers a rigorous and wide-ranging exploration of what various spiritual, religious, and philosophical traditions from both the East and West have contributed to this profound line of questioning, sharing insights from sources that include ancient Indian texts, such as:
- The Bhagavad-Gita
- Foundational Chinese texts like the Daodejing and the Chuang Tzu
- Classical Western texts, such as Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics and Marcus Aurelius's Meditations
- Modern philosophers and writers like David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Leo Tolstoy
- The unique perspectives offered by Native Americans, in this case, the Lakota Sioux medicine man and writer, John Lame Deer
- More recent and contemporary philosophers, such as Mohandas Gandhi and the Dalai Lama
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
What listeners say about The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 07-04-2022
Grateful
What a wonderful gift this man has given. I found these lectures easy to understand and inspiring. Definitely recommend to anyone interested in philosophy. I feel like I've developed a solid foundation for my learnings on these various traditions. THANK YOU!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Alex Norton
- 25-11-2023
Extremely Eye Opening
Spoken with true enthusiasm by Dr Garfield, this is an incredible journey through the cultures of history, and the deep philosophy within. Well worth the listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 26-07-2022
Life Changing
Jay is an amazing presenter. I hope I get to meet him one day. The content puts everything in perspective.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Justin Barker
- 06-08-2022
Clear, concise and profound
Jay presents an incredibly clear account of different perspectives on what constitutes a meaningful life. I will revisit these lectures again. It has actually changed the way I see life. I am so grateful for this work.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 11-12-2020
would recommend
I listen to a lot of audiobooks. this one I would always recommend, to anyone, at any stage of life.
Engaging teacher who makes communicating difficult ideas sound so easy.
Helped me in a blue period of my life, too
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Howie Drinkwater
- 18-02-2019
Helpful for finding meaning
Such wonderful summaries of many of history's great thinkers' insights into human existence. Compassionately presented and, imho, well structured and ordered with references to previously introduced philosophies to assist the "climb" to greater understanding of and deeper meaning for my life and the lives of those whom I encounter.
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- Annalie
- 17-11-2017
Brilliant, highly recommended
Prof Garfield is an excellent lecturer, passionate about his subject, and inspiring, bringing philosophies of different ancient cultures to life, and showig the relevance of those teachings to our present time. His brilliant interpretations of those teachings gave me a wider perspective on life, a highly recommended listen!
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