Dimensions
128 x 196 x 23mm
The huge international bestseller that takes you on a journey through your mind and gives you the answers to the big philosophical questions.
There are many books about philosophy, but Who Am I? And If So How Many? is different from the rest. Never before has anyone introduced readers so expertly and, at the same time, so light-heartedly and elegantly to the big philosophical questions.
Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, history, and even pop culture, Richard David Precht deftly elucidates the questions at the heart of human existence: What is truth? Does life have meaning? Why should I be good? and presents them in concise, witty, and engaging prose. The result is an exhilarating journey through the history of philosophy and a wonderfully accessible introduction to current research on the brain.
Who Am I? And If So, How Many? is a kaleidoscope of philosophical problems, anecdotal information, neurological and biological science, and psychological research.
The books is divided into three parts:
1) What Can I Know? focuses on the brain and the nature and scope of human knowledge, starting with questions posed by Kant, Descartes, Nietzsche, Freud, and others.
2) What Should I Do? deals with human morals and ethics, using neurological and sociological research to explain why we empathize with others and are compelled to act morally. Discusses the morality of euthanasia, abortion, cloning, and other controversial topics.
3) What Can I Hope For? centers around the most important questions in life: What is happiness and why do we fall in love? Is there a God and how can we prove God's existence? What is freedom? What is the purpose of life? From brain research and psychology to philosophy, Precht covers the latest research and theories, putting the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle to make the amazing picture scientist and drawing from humankind. The result is an exciting journey of discovery: clever, amusing and entertaining.