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 Mc Carthy 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.
Table of Content
Introduction vii
1 Life 1
2 Philosophy 27
3 Death 37
4 Love 60
5 Humour 77
6 Authenticity 102
Bibliography 123
Index 131
About the author
Simon Critchley is Professor of Philosophy at the New School University.
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