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

The Biggest Question in Life Explored Brilliantly

Jay L. Garfield is a wise and thoughtful guide to the philosophical exploration of the greatest question in life. Just what is the meaning of life?

He discusses the meaning of the question in the first place and then goes on to discuss a broad range of philosophers and traditions as he helps us understand the different approaches. I was impressed with the course right from the beginning and that positive impression only grew as I listened to the entire course.

Jay Garfield is passionate, humble, and respectful in his teaching. He covers a broad range of thinkers and links them nicely. He paints a broad landscape of the majesty of philosophy when it helps us explore the meaning of our individual and social human experience.

The course was not short and it covered a lot of material, but the pace was excellent. I learned a great deal, but would be happy to hear a lot more of Jay Garfield. A great Audible program for anyone interested in the big picture of human life - highly recommended. Jay Garfield is a brilliant teacher who shares his passion as much as his knowledge.

This would be a great course for anyone wanting to dip their toe into philosophy. I expect that it would encourage many to plunge in after that first dip.

Covers East and West in thorough review

This course is quite exceptional for several reasons. First, it doesn't just go down the familiar path of Western Civilization philosophy. It does an excellent job of covering Eastern philosophy as well, as comparing and contrasting to Western philosophy throughout. Secondly, it is a course that non-philosophy students can benefit from. It never sways too far away for the title, The Meaning of Life, which means it can benefit anyone who has asked this question. Thirdly, I found the finally section of post-modern philosophy to be particularly meaningful. From Nietzsche to Gandhi to Lame Deer, I found his account riveting. I had no idea that Gandhi had such a profound philosophy, and the philosopher of Lakota tribe holy man John Lame Deer was chilling. I have read a lot of philosophy and listened to many of the Great Courses on philosophy, but this section really made me think about my own life in new ways. I wish there was a section on Hegel, as I believe he had much to say on the subject, but I won't hold it against this great course. My highest recommendation.

Very worthwhile

If you're thinking about it getting it, then it is the right choice. I highly recommend it not that should influence you

Does not give a straight answer...

...but instead offers many different views from a variety of great thinkers like Ghandhi, Dalai Lama and Aristoteles. Definitely helps one to find their meaning. 👍

Profound Lectures on Eastern Philosophy

After searching for material on Eastern philosophy I was introduced to this course by a colleague and I was extremely impressed with Prof. JL Garfield’s lectures. The course also provides comparisons between western and eastern philosophy. Prof. Garfield has produced a life changing set of lectures and presents a number of views on the meaning of life, all of which are thought provoking and enlightening.

Depths of Insight with relatively few words

Would you listen to The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions again? Why?

Absolutely! Although professor Garfield deals with complex philosophies with great lucidity, he also packs in the information about individual thinkers and the nuances of their philosophy; most lectures I listen to twice or more and each time I pick up new fascinating ideas.

What other book might you compare The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions to and why?

Great Minds of the Eastern Intellectual Tradition -- professor Hardy also has a great talent to take complex ideas and make them accessible without "dumbing them down."

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

His own town of voice, emphases, and passion for the subjects. Although most parts of his presentation felt read, he kept a conversational style that was not at all like being read a book.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The Stoics had a rich philosophy, John Fire Lame Deer has an amazing concept of the symbolic nature of the organic network of reality, and a whole lot is going on in the Book of Job that I hadn't noticed before.

Any additional comments?

As a professor myself, I try to re-convey to my own World Religions and Humanities students much of what I learn from Jay Garfield.

Wonderful

Professor Garfield did a great job in delivery this course. I've learnt so much and will look for an opportunity to revisit this lecture in the near future

Best Professor I have heard from TGC.

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?

Need the audio to get the best understanding....can't read this in my opinion.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Had a great sense of peace. Many have it wrong, many have right all have some element of truth. Helps each being to see that we all face the same questions and we likely know some the truth but will never understand all of the meaning.

World class performance by a great actor!

Professor Garfield is very eloquent, yet his arguments are easy to understand. His lectures in these series are masterful, with summaries that consider diverse points of view from valued sources. Given his exposure to so many traditions of thought, and great thinkers, it would be extremely interesting to know the actual being disguised as Jay L. Garfield, his true opinions and thoughts about the meaning of life, and how boredom of eternity became life entertainment, once again, in the form of a philosopher.

A bright star!

I am so enlightened! A course to listen to again and again and again, and commit to muscle memory.