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

By: Jay L. Garfield, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Jay L. Garfield

Length: 18 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Informative and thought provocative

I love this course. Instead of trying to convince you what is the meaning of life, the book takes you through all the philosophy writings about meaning of life, and let you decide yourself what is the meaning of life. The book is also a nice introduction to philosophy, if you are interested in philosophy but are intimidated by the complexity and vast number of philosophical literature, this book is a great start.

Grateful for the education!

I liked the whole story. I gave it four stars, only because of the waist of time at the ending and beginning of each chapter that unnecessarily repeated, “ Thank you for listening ..., I hope you will join me in the next chapter..., and clapping. Otherwise it’s a masterpiece that I would like listening to again!

If I can give only ONE recommendation, this is it.

If I can give only ONE recommendation, this is it. Prof. Garfield does an amazing job of leading us through a somewhat chronological journey of spiritual, religious and philosophical teachings that provide ANY listener with a more informed perspective. 1000% on my MUST READ list and also on my READ AGAIN AND AGAIN list (this is my 4th or 5th time). Enjoy!

Great overview of variety of philosophers

I really enjoyed this audio book, especially Jay Garfield’s extensive knowledge and passion about the subject. I learned a lot! I hope this professor will offer more audio books in the future!

The Best Great Course

Inspiring content, open-minded accessible approach, and excellent narration.

a fresh look at ancient-modern texts on the deepest questions of all.

Excellent Course Concept and Delivery

I would suggest renaming this course "How to Lead a Meaningful Life" as that is the essence of what Jay Garfield presents in this extremely diverse collection of writings from the past 2,500 years. Excellent choice of material very insightfully examined with a final wrap-up that connects the common themes that run throughout while pointing out the differences. I can easily say it is a course that when finished you not only know a lot more but it will keep you thinking and examining what is a truly meaningful way to live your life. The best part is answers are given.

a life worth living

People don't think about the discovering or creating meaning in this world like the people of the past had to. it no longer attracts the constantly reflection to grow as a human and find our place in this world. We lose ourselves in false idols like quick pleasure, temptations and stagnation.

This course helps cover major views of meaning from different cultures western, Eastern and indigenous. They do agree on conceptions of meaningless and the challenges of being human and conscious. finality, death, freedom, action, politics, obligations and harmony are few of the themes we must wrestle with. Many do converge to similar ends, but each show the complexity of meaning. A nonlinear account of morality recognizes a long academic discussion on how we find meaning.

Excel in goals, treat others well, embrace the unknown, follow duty without doubt, love nature, continuing learning, be an individual and recognize your place in society.

Perfect! Couldn’t “Put It Down”

Garfield reads each text charitably but discerningly. I learned so much. You should take this course! Yes, you!

Exceeded Expectations - Illuminating

Well presented and an excellent presenter, who you could tell enjoyed sharing these perspectives - much appreciated - thank you. KM

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.