In 'This Life', Martin Hägglund challenges the foundations of our beliefs about meaning and value. He explores the concept of time, arguing that our finite existence makes life profoundly meaningful. Through a blend of philosophy and personal reflection, Hägglund reveals how embracing our mortality can lead to a deeper appreciation of life and our relationships. He critiques the forces that distract us from living authentically and passionately. This thought-provoking work prompts readers to reconsider what it truly means to live a fulfilling life.
By Martin Hägglund
Published: 2020
"To truly live is to embrace the uncertainty of existence, to find meaning in the moments we share, and to recognize that life is a fragile gift we must cherish and honor."
Winner of the René Wellek Prize Named a Best Book of the Year by The Guardian, The Millions, and The Sydney Morning Herald This Life offers a profoundly inspiring basis for transforming our lives, demonstrating that our commitment to freedom and democracy should lead us beyond both religion and capitalism. Philosopher Martin Hägglund argues that we need to cultivate not a religious faith in eternity but a secular faith devoted to our finite life together. He shows that all spiritual questions of freedom are inseparable from economic and material conditions: what matters is how we treat one another in this life and what we do with our time. Engaging with great philosophers from Aristotle to Hegel and Marx, literary writers from Dante to Proust and Knausgaard, political economists from Mill to Keynes and Hayek, and religious thinkers from Augustine to Kierkegaard and Martin Luther King, Jr., Hägglund points the way to an emancipated life.
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“To truly live is to embrace the uncertainty of existence, to find meaning in the moments we share, and to recognize that life is a fragile gift we must cherish and honor.”
This Life
By Martin Hägglund
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Martin Hägglund is a renowned Swedish philosopher and author, best known for his influential works exploring themes of time, mortality, and the significance of secular humanism. His notable books include 'This Life: Secular Faith and Spiritual Freedom,' which argues for the importance of living a meaningful life within the temporal limits of our existence, and 'Critique of Sovereignty,' in which he examines the relationship between freedom and authority. Hägglund's writing is characterized by its profound philosophical insights, clarity, and a compelling blend of theoretical depth and practical relevance. He is widely recognized for his ability to engage with complex ideas while making them accessible to a broader audience.
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