"This book examines the longstanding debate between philosophical optimism and pessimism in the history of philosophy, focusing on Aristotle, Maimonides, Spinoza, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Camus. Philosophical optimists maintain that the world is optimally arranged and is accordingly valuable, and that the existence of human beings is preferable over their nonexistence. Philosophical pessimists, by contrast, hold that the world is in a woeful condition and ultimately valueless, and that human nonexistence would have been preferable over our existence. Schopenhauer criticizes the optimism he locates in the Hebrew Bible and in Spinoza for being unable to square the presumed perfection of the world and its parts, including human life, with the suffering and misfortunes observable in them, and for leading to egoism and thereby to cruelty. Nietzsche, in turn, criticizes Schopenhauer's overtly pessimistic view, inter alia, for furtively positing a perfect state for one to aspire to, thus being latently optimistic. Similarly, Camus charges Nietzsche, who announces his rejection of both optimism and pessimism, with deifying the world and oneself, thereby reverting to optimism. Interestingly, Aristotle countenances an optimistic theory, later adopted and developed by Maimonides, that is arguably capable of facing Schopenhauer's challenge. Aristotelian optimism accounts for the perfection of the world in terms of a hierarchy of value between its parts, with human beings ranked relatively low, and recommends an attitude congruent with that ranking"--

"This book examines the longstanding debate between philosophical optimism and pessimism in the history of philosophy, focusing on Aristotle, Maimonides, Spinoza, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Camus. Philosophical optimists maintain that the world is optimally arranged and is accordingly valuable, and that the existence of human beings is preferable over their nonexistence. Philosophical pessimists, by contrast, hold that the world is in a woeful condition and ultimately valueless, and that human nonexistence would have been preferable over our existence. Schopenhauer criticizes the optimism he locates in the Hebrew Bible and in Spinoza for being unable to square the presumed perfection of the world and its parts, including human life, with the suffering and misfortunes observable in them, and for leading to egoism and thereby to cruelty. Nietzsche, in turn, criticizes Schopenhauer's overtly pessimistic view, inter alia, for furtively positing a perfect state for one to aspire to, thus being latently optimistic. Similarly, Camus charges Nietzsche, who announces his rejection of both optimism and pessimism, with deifying the world and oneself, thereby reverting to optimism. Interestingly, Aristotle countenances an optimistic theory, later adopted and developed by Maimonides, that is arguably capable of facing Schopenhauer's challenge. Aristotelian optimism accounts for the perfection of the world in terms of a hierarchy of value between its parts, with human beings ranked relatively low, and recommends an attitude congruent with that ranking"--

Does life have meaning? Is it possible for life to be meaningful when the world is filled with suffering and when so much depends merely upon chance? Even if there is meaning, is there enough to justify living? These questions are difficult to resolve. There are times in which we face the mundane, the illogically cruel, and the tragic, which leave us to question the value of our lives. However, Iddo Landau argues, our lives often are, or could be made, meaningfulwe've just been setting the bar too high for evaluating what meaning there is. When it comes to meaning in life, Landau explains, we have let perfect become the enemy of the good. We have failed to find life perfectly meaningful, and therefore have failed to see any meaning in our lives. We must attune ourselves to enhancing and appreciating the meaning in our lives, and Landau shows us how to do that. In this warmly written book, rich with examples from the author's life, film, literature, and history, Landau offers new theories and practical advice that awaken us to the meaning already present in our lives and demonstrates how we can enhance it. He confronts prevailing nihilist ideas that undermine our existence, and the questions that dog us no matter what we believe. While exposing the weaknesses of ideas that lead many to despair, he builds a strong case for maintaining more hope. Along the way, he faces provocative questions: Would we choose to live forever if we could? Does death render life meaningless? If we examine it in the context of the immensity of the whole universe, can we consider life meaningful? If we feel empty once we achieve our goals, and the pursuit of these goals is what gives us a sense of meaning, then what can we do? Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World is likely to alter the way you understand your life.

"This book examines the longstanding debate between philosophical optimism and pessimism in the history of philosophy, focusing on Aristotle, Maimonides, Spinoza, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Camus. Philosophical optimists maintain that the world is optimally arranged and is accordingly valuable, and that the existence of human beings is preferable over their nonexistence. Philosophical pessimists, by contrast, hold that the world is in a woeful condition and ultimately valueless, and that human nonexistence would have been preferable over our existence. Schopenhauer criticizes the optimism he locates in the Hebrew Bible and in Spinoza for being unable to square the presumed perfection of the world and its parts, including human life, with the suffering and misfortunes observable in them, and for leading to egoism and thereby to cruelty. Nietzsche, in turn, criticizes Schopenhauer's overtly pessimistic view, inter alia, for furtively positing a perfect state for one to aspire to, thus being latently optimistic. Similarly, Camus charges Nietzsche, who announces his rejection of both optimism and pessimism, with deifying the world and oneself, thereby reverting to optimism. Interestingly, Aristotle countenances an optimistic theory, later adopted and developed by Maimonides, that is arguably capable of facing Schopenhauer's challenge. Aristotelian optimism accounts for the perfection of the world in terms of a hierarchy of value between its parts, with human beings ranked relatively low, and recommends an attitude congruent with that ranking"--

A bold, urgent argument on the misplacement of value in financial markets and how we can and need to maximize value for the many, not few. As an economist and former banker, Mark Carney has spent his life in various financial roles, in both the public and private sector. VALUE(S) is a meditation on his experiences that examines the short-comings and challenges of the market in the past decade which he argues has led to rampant, public distrust and the need for radical change. Focusing on four major crises-the Global Financial Crisis, the Global Health Crisis, Climate Change and the 4th Industrial Revolution-- Carney proposes responses to each. His solutions are tangible action plans for leaders, companies and countries to transform the value of the market back into the value of humanity.

In a world obsessed with building self-esteem, our sense of well-being hinges on performance, the whims of good luck and positive outcomes. But when we don't measure up to our own tough standards, things don't go our way or life falls apart, we are called to access a deeper source of resilience, that of self-worth.

“This book makes an immediate connection with the way I have tried to live my life. The messages can be read again and again to recenter, rebalance, and deepen my understanding. It is definitely something to keep near and to be consulted often.” Helen S. Cooke – PMI Fellow To those who are seeking and believing in the whole person care, balanced life, the natural order, Wu Wei, nurturing, inner peace, happiness, humility, simplicity, adaptability, inspiration, meditation, letting go, detachment, kindness, reflection, enlightenment, self-discovery, being yourself, rejuvenation, spiritual connection, and healing. Immerse yourself in the wisdom of ancient China through the timeless 'Tao Te Ching.' Authored by the legendary philosopher Laozi, this profound exploration transcends the boundaries of time, offering invaluable insights into existence, inner peace, and wisdom. Comprising 81 chapters, the 'Tao Te Ching' covers a spectrum of topics, from the universe and virtue to politics and ethics. Laozi's philosophy, rooted in the concept of the Tao, advocates for a return to simplicity and alignment with the universal source, steering away from the complexities of power and desire. Its influence extends beyond Taoism, shaping major philosophical schools in China. This book provides a contemporary interpretation of Laozi's teachings alongside the original verses, facilitating practical application in daily life. By embracing key concepts, readers can foster well-being, meaningful relationships, and self-discovery. "Moments of Reflection for Inspiration, Enlightenment, and Healing" invites you to revel in the meditative repetition of Laozi's wisdom. Whether pursuing happiness, purpose, or a deeper understanding of existence, this book serves as a gateway to timeless insights that have shaped Chinese culture for centuries. Join the journey toward self-discovery and enlightenment through the profound wisdom of the Tao.

Value Full Life is a framework of eleven core values encouraging us to come together and work toward the growth and development of possibilities and aspirations. These values combine respect for oneself and one’s world, encompassing the development of esteem and honor for our unique individuality and all that surrounds us. Value Full Life is a concise expression of philosophies for living, along with core values that have been relevant to the success of the United States of America. Value Full Life emphasizes a blend of natural science, human history and behavior, and clinical competencies that are relevant from a personal and social system perspective. The author incorporates a historic legacy of wisdom from spiritual traditions, Native Americans, the Founding Fathers, and other American leaders to define a value system that can help bring us together and secure a stronger foundation for future endeavors. The United States, and we as individual citizens, are at an intersection with history. Value Full Life takes into account the many factors that contribute to the urgency of our times including the challenges facing the world today, the political divide in the United States, pace and scope of change, volume of exposure to information, and unprecedented complexity of our modern world. The values emphasized in Value Full Life are stepping stones and belief systems that can inspire healthy perspectives and life competencies.

Social and personality psychologists traditionally have focused their attention on the most basic building blocks of human thought and behavior, while existential psychologists pursued broader, more abstract questions regarding the nature of existence and the meaning of life. This volume bridges this longstanding divide by demonstrating how rigorous experimental methods can be applied to understanding key existential concerns, including death, uncertainty, identity, meaning, morality, isolation, determinism, and freedom. Bringing together leading scholars and investigators, the Handbook presents the influential theories and research findings that collectively are helping to define the emerging field of experimental existential psychology.

The place of religion in society has changed profoundly in the last few centuries, particularly in the West. In what will be a defining book for our time, Taylor takes up the question of what these changes mean, and what, precisely, happens when a society becomes one in which faith is only one human possibility among others.