The Book of Dead Philosophers by Simon Critchley (PDF)

Description

In this collection of brief lives (and deaths) of nearly two hundred of the world’s greatest thinkers, noted philosopher Simon Critchley creates a register of mortality that is tragic, amusing, absurd, and exemplary. From the self-mocking haikus of Zen masters on their deathbeds to the last words of Christian saints and modern-day sages, this irresistible book contains much to inspire both amusement and reflection.Informed by Critchley’s acute insight, scholarly intelligence, and sprightly wit, each entry tells its own tale, but collected together they add up to a profound and moving investigation of meaning and the possibility of happiness for us all.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐It is the American `Labor Day’ holiday just outside my window, a day that to 98% of all Americans means `time for one last frantic scramble for amusement and diversion before the Fall school term begins’ and little else (despite the seriousness of applied study in today’s cutthroat academic world). For us two-percenters, who still understand the need to honor labor and appreciate the vital means of production that labor represents, it is time for reflection. As the holiday hours pass, between reflective holiday moments I am gradually working my way through Simon Critchley’s just released book, `The Book of Dead Philosophers’.This Labor Day I have especial reason to be reflective, given the fact that the life of my favorite Siberian Husky male presently hangs in a fragile balance between life and death. I have been spending every possible moment with my `Raki’, who has a mystery malady that has eluded all the veterinary diagnosticians in this area (including those of consultants at the nearby prestigious UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine). Last night I slept on the floor near him. Tonight I shall do the same thing. Raki cannot walk by himself, having been overcome by what seems to be a sort of neurological anomaly that defies acute understanding by the best vets in the business. The symptoms seem to be those of one of the tick-borne diseases (with seizures, confusion, disorientation, loss of the use of one forelimb, malaise, loss of appetite, and a wide range of strange effects), but they could also presage serotonin syndrome, a more subtle form of neuropathy, or possibly even a cerebral lesion of some sort. It doesn’t help that Raki is also diabetic and has had other rather strange health problems in the course of his past 12 years. It also doesn’t help that we have spent more than $15,000 on Raki this year alone, trying to understand the nature of his illness, or the fact that in his infinite Hollywood stage-acting wisdom, the Governor of California has just decided that the best means of punishing California’s ineffectual legislators for failing to agree on a state 2008-2009 fiscal year budget is to cut all California State Civil Service salaries (moi) back to the Federal Minimum Wage ($6.55).All of this helps a normally profoundly reflective tyro philosopher like myself not a whit, nor does it auger well for my splendid canine companion, Raki, whom I love dearly. It is likely that in the short span of three days, I shall have to make the painful decision of whether or not to send Raki across what is known euphemistically as `The Rainbow Bridge’, keeping awareness of the quality of his remaining life foremost in my thoughts. It is not a happy time, given this fact, but perhaps it is a matter of the utmost timeliness that I happened to select author Critchley’s book to read, whilst sitting up with my best friend in his final hours.Critchley poses the question, only half in jest, “How have the renown philosophers of recorded human history regarded the ultimate, unavoidable end of their own existence?” It is a very interesting question in its own right, since as Critchley infers, the proper regard for life ought perhaps to be a preparation for and a coming to terms with the finity of human life as we individually know it. Fortunately (or perhaps not), Critchley makes it clear in his introduction that his intent is to make his researches as entertaining as possible, going on to exhibit a strong compulsion to heighten the hilarity of his focus on how philosophers have handled the subject of their own impending doom. Perhaps, given that objective, it is just what I need today as I regard the imminent death of a creature I love more than most people in my life.The book is divided into sections, each dealing with a selection of philosophers drawn from various historical epochs (the Greeks, the Romans, the Asiatics, the Humanists, the Existentialists, etc.) and the information presented in most cases is both as mildly entertaining as it is informative, but it manages to be fulfilling and interesting throughout. It is certainly anything but a deadly serious romp through the eternally unanswered questions that philosophers have pondered since humankind first realized it was all too fleetingly mortal, and although Critchley disclaims any preference for Zen or Ch’an Buddist sentiment, there is a most palpable Zen-like disparagement of serious concern with death discernible throughout his book. Bravo for that, say I.I obtained a copy of this book expecting far more than it offers, but I readily admit to being sometimes almost morbidly sincere in my own philosophic inquiries and for that reason it is perhaps a good and useful partial antidote to the bitter hemlock that my much-loved Raki may soon be forced to ingest. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in philosophy, but most especially to those who don’t take life too seriously (as I do) and who understand that there’s no sense in getting all caught up in the prospect of their own future demise long before that time presents itself. If the whole meaning of life is to be found in the journey, rather than in a speculative and highly conjecturable `Ultimate Reality of Faith’ that for so many constitutes a `real’ destination, this book is a great way to take some of the pressure off and synchronise with the present moment (which is all we really have anyway). It is a book that may be taken anywhere and enjoyed equally (e.g. in a Benedictine Monastery or a Serbian torture cell) and worth the price of admission. PS: It pairs up quite beautifully with Monty Python’s `The Meaning of Life’, for those who enjoy video as well as written media on philosophy.Excuse me now. I must go back to my pet’s side and memorise every lovely little doggie whisker on his furry Siberian face while there is still time. Be well, do right. Malama pono!

⭐After an interesting (although hardly revolutionary) introduction to the book and its central concept — that philosophers have something to teach us about death, the single largest defining fact of our lives, through the way they themselves died — Simon Critchley tackles the deaths (and sometimes the lives) of some 190 philosophers spanning seven millennia at a very rapid clip.After the well-written and thought-provoking introduction revolving around the role of death — and thoughts of death — in philosophy and life, the remainder of the book can feel jarring. In some cases, the philosopher’s life and work — and even their death — is disposed of in only one or two witty sentence. In others, there is a lot about their deaths, but Critchley doesn’t always deliver on his promise to explain how the way in which his subjects met those deaths ties into either their personal philosophies or into a philosophy of death. Sometimes, that just isn’t relevant, it seems. The best moments in the book — such as the discussion of the atheist, David Hume, meeting his end contentedly — stand out simply because they are relatively rare. In a few cases, Critchley has to admit he doesn’t even know how his subject died — in which case, why is that philosopher included? In a handful of cases, he exaggerates the story behind the philosopher’s death, only for the reader to discover that they have been misled. For instance, Simone Weil, he claims in the introduction, starved herself to death in sympathy with her beleagured countrymen in France. In fact, the exiled philosopher limited her caloric intake during the early years of World War II in exile from her homeland to what was available to French citizens under the Nazi regime. She didn’t deliberately starve herself to death; she weakened her health so that she was unable to fight off the illness that killed her.So why, then, do I give this 3.5 stars? Simply because it’s a witty romp through a topic that is relatively rarely discussed except in hushed tones and with trite references to Kubler-Ross (who, yes, makes a very brief appearance here, as well). It’s also the kind of book that may provoke interest in the philosophers being discussed by readers who would otherwise never pick up a more weighty tome on, say, Hume or Spinoza. The premise is also solid and the author’s grasp of his subject is more solid than his delivery sometimes implies. It’s also refreshing to see a philosopher write something so accessible.That said, this is not a book likely to appeal to anyone who heads straight for the philosophy section whenever they enter a bookstore. There’s little or no new thinking on the topic of mortality, and serious-minded philosophy students, already be familiar with much of the contents, are less likely to find Critchley’s whimsical approach to his subject either amusing or intriguing. For readers with a passing interest in philosophy, it’s worth a look, but you probably will want to pick up a paperback copy or find it in a library.Anyone looking for a very personal and extraordinarily eloquent series of random musings on the subject of death itself couldn’t do better than check out Julian Barnes’s new book on the subject,

⭐. It’s not as comforting as Critchley’s book ends up being (whether or not Critchley intends it to be!); it’s the personal ruminations of one of Britain’s best writers (Flaubert’s Parrot, et. al.) on aging and the need to come to terms with death not only in the abstract but as something that he will encounter sooner rather than later.

⭐One of my numerous interests over the years has been philosophy. When I saw this 265 page soft cover book (The book of dead philosophers by Simon Critchley) on Amazon for a bargain price I decided to purchase it. I found this book to be interesting, informative, unique and sometimes amusing. The theme is actually death and focuses on the various philosophers throughout history, their view of death and how they actually died. I learned a lot of little known facts about many of these historical philosophers that I did not know until reading this book.This academic treatment of the subject covers an enormous amount of material dealing with more than 190 dead philosophers throughout history. The book explores philosophers from the pre-Socratic, physiologists, sages, and Sophists, Platonists, Aristotelians, skeptics, Epicureans, classical Chinese philosophers, Romans, Christian saints, Islamic and Judaic philosophers, Twentieth Century philosophers and numerous other historical thinkers.Even though this is a well-researched and professionally written volume I did find some of the material tedious at times; nevertheless, I recommend this book to anyone who has a passion for learning about the great and not so great philosophers throughout history and their view of death and dying.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Heart: A poetic tribute to warriors).

⭐It’s a thoughtful and interesting take on lives of philosophers. I found myself really engaged at times and really disinterested at times. It’s a good book to read while you’re reading another book and want to take a break. Alternatively, i found myself looking up books from some of these philosophers because they seem so interesting. I’d recommend it.

⭐Book was recommended and is very interesting.Slightly wary about used products. However this was fine.The book arrived on time and condition was very good and well packaged.

⭐Ok book

⭐A very well written, interesting, informative, easy read & very humorous!Thoroughly enjoyed every word & chapter. I also enjoyed the interesting excepts of female philosophers.

⭐Entertaining and stimulating. This book makes you laugh at times, but also makes you think about your own mortality and about what death means to you. It was a great read on the tube and took your mind back to things worth thinking about. Although rather tough to read as a non-native English speaker, I enjoyed the intellectual challenge of this book, while it still remained light-hearted and with a twinkle of humour 🙂

⭐All fine

Keywords

Free Download The Book of Dead Philosophers in PDF format
The Book of Dead Philosophers PDF Free Download
Download The Book of Dead Philosophers 2009 PDF Free
The Book of Dead Philosophers 2009 PDF Free Download
Download The Book of Dead Philosophers PDF
Free Download Ebook The Book of Dead Philosophers