Who am I? And if so, how many?
Precht, Richard David, 1964-2011
Book
There are many books about philosophy, but "Who Am I? And If So How Many?" is different from the rest. Never before has anyone introduced readers so expertly and, at the same time, so light-heartedly and elegantly to the big philosophical questions. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, history, and even pop culture, Richard David Precht deftly elucidates the questions at the heart of human existence: What is truth? Does life have meaning? Why should I be good? And presents them in concise, witty, and engaging prose. The result is an exhilarating journey through the history of philosophy and a lucid introduction to current research on the brain. The book is divided into three parts: What Can I Know? focuses on the brain and the nature and scope of human knowledge, starting with questions posed by Kant, Descartes, Nietzsche, Freud, and others; What Should I Do? deals with human morals and ethics, using neurological and sociological research to explain why we empathize with others and are compelled to act morally, and discusses the morality of euthanasia, abortion, cloning, and other controversial topics; and, What Can I Hope For? centers around the most important questions in life: What is happiness and why do we fall in love? Is there a God and how can we prove God's existence? What is freedom? What is the purpose of life?
Main title:
Who am I? And if so, how many? / Richard David Precht ; translated by Shelley Frisch.
Imprint:
London : Constable, 2011, c2007.
Collation:
xviii, 332 p. ; 20 cm.
Notes:
Cover subtitle: A journey through your mind.First published as Wer bin ich, und wenn ja, wie viele. Munchen, Germany : Wilhelm Goldmann, c2007.Includes bibliographical references and index.Translated from the German.
ISBN:
9781849011020
Dewey class:
190
Language:
EnglishGerman
Subject:
BRN:
155720
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Syme Carlton | -Society | SOCIETY 190 PREC | Reservation delayed (Set: 06 Jul 2026) |