The question of how to lead a happy and meaningful life has been at the
heart of philosophical debate since time immemorial. Today, however,
these questions seem to be addressed not by philosophers but self-help
gurus, who frantically champion the individual's quest for
self-expression and self-realization; the desire to become authentic.
Against these new age sophistries, How to Stop Living and Start
Worrying tackles the question of 'how to live' by forcing us to explore
our troubling relationship with death. For Critchley, philosophy begins
with the question of finitude and with his understanding of a key
classical theme - that to philosophize is to learn how to die. Learning
how to accept both our own and others' mortality as a part of life also
raises the question of how to love. Critchley argues that the act of
love requires us to give up something of ourselves, to lose control so
as to be open to the demands of love. We will never be equal to this
demand and so we are brought face to face with our own limitations - one
form of which is what Critchley calls our 'originary inauthenticity'. By
scrutinizing the very nature of humour, Critchley explores what we need
to laugh at ourselves and presents the need to confront the inescapable
ridiculousness of life.
Reflecting on the work of over 20 years, this book provides a unique,
witty and erudite introduction to the thought of Simon Critchley. It
includes a revealing biographical conversation with Critchley and a
fascinating debate with the critically acclaimed novelist Tom McCarthy
about the nature of authenticity. Taken together the conversations give
an intimate portrait of one of the most lucid, provocative and engaging
philosophers writing today.
