Who Am I and If So How Many?: A Journey Through Your Mind

by Richard David Precht

Blurb

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.Who Am I? And If So, How Many? is a wonderfully accessible introduction to philosophy. The book is a kaleidoscope of philosophical problems, anecdotal information, neurological and biological science, and psychological research.The books is divided into three parts: 1) 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.2) 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. Discusses the morality of euthanasia, abortion, cloning, and other controversial topics.3) 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?

First Published

2007

Member Reviews Write your own review

SteffiRBerlin

Steffirberlin

Philosophie gedankenanregend, erfrischend und alltagsnah präsentiert. einige stellen etwas redundant und abstrakt, andere dafür amüsant und auf den punkt gebracht.

0 Responses posted in February
mandavi

Mandavi

Auch wenn der Anfang etwas schleppend verlief, der Mann überzeugt. Wer den Theorieteil zu Beginn meistert, kann die Früchte dieser Mühen ab dem zweiten Drittel genießen. Kein blah, blah, sondern anhand von Beispielen auch für den eine Freude des Erkennens, der mit Philosophie bisher nicht so viel Kontakt hatte. Erklärt wird das für und Wider von Abtreibung, Sterbehilfe, Vegetarismus, Klonen von Menschen und viele Dinge mehr. Meine Welt ist nun etwas weniger Schwarz/Weiß, einige Dinge nehme ich bestimmt nicht mehr ganz so ernst und es gibt gute Tipps für mehr Freude im Leben.

0 Responses posted in December
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