The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions

By: Jay L. Garfield, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Jay L. Garfield

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.

©2011 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2011 The Great Courses

Wow

What a (mostly) comprehensive examination of many of the great thinkers and traditions of faith and philosophy, explained in an engaging way that makes complex ideas clear without underestimating his listeners. I truly enjoyed and learned from this, and would love to have given this 5 stars across the board, but for two items. First, this exploration is really more accurately an exploration of "How to live a meaningful life", not "What is the meaning of life" - those two concepts intertwine but are not identical, and most of this series explores the former more than the latter. And second, I am surprised that he included no Christian thinker or philosophy. He looks at Job from the Old Testament, but to leave out Jesus (and the radical philosophy he brought to the time), seems to be a significant omission. I would have liked to hear Garfield speak on that, and to set that thought tradition alongside that of Buddha, the Bhagavad-Gita, Gandhi, Tolstoy, Kant, and others.

A Gem

A well-presented overview of the great philosophical approaches to finding a meaning to life. Provoking.

one of the best

Extremely rewarding. Professor Garfield is an engaging and enthusiastic guide. Worth multiple listens. Requires some outside reading for maximum appreciation and enjoyment.

A great listen!

This lecture series is wonderfully educational and enjoyable. It does a great job of covering a very long history of philosophy concisely while keeping the listener engaged.

a must read

Would you consider the audio edition of The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions to be better than the print version?

Yes, because these are lectures with the intonations and pauses, etc. breathing life into the words and feelings

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions?

the summation was quite helpful

What does Professor Jay L. Garfield bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the power of the words

If you could give The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions a new subtitle, what would it be?

belief/values based on comparative knowledge

Any additional comments?

everyone should listen to these lectures. I continually rewound to better and more profoundly understand. I'll listen to these again in a year or two.

Excellent lecture

This audiobook has introduced me to different perspective in life and to excellent texts that great philosophers has written throughout time.
I would recommend this audiobook to whomever ponders on the great question "what is the meaning of life" on a daily basis. This course will definitely open new horizons for you.

The greatest of the great courses

I have purchased numerous audio versions of the great courses series and found this to be amongst the best. The depth of insight was beneficial and the energy of the delivery compelling . Very well done

Stellar!

Throughly enjoyed Professor Garfield’s course ! Thoughtful and deep . He clearly knows his subject and I learned a lot .

Perfect overview

Great narration. Enthusiasm and expertise. Highly recommended for people looking for an answer or an overview of existing ideas before creating their own ;). Nice one.

Best in it's class

I've read a 60 lecture great courses on philosophy and it didn't feel as clear. Focusing on meaning of life only and then going through the key philosophies feels much more smooth.

I almost made it 4 stars because the last few lectures I just couldn't get into. But it may be just that post modern philosophy doesn't flow well for me.