Abstract

Terry Eagleton. The meaning of life: A very short introductionOxford: University Press, 2007, 109 pp.For a very short introduction to the meaning of life, this 109-page volume provokes much reflection upon many possible meanings of life. The topic of the book is examined from innumerable perspectives. While the author does not seem to hide his personal views, he does not manifest them as directly as the reader might wish. The meaning of life is well-written and witty; it has four chapters, about three pages on “Further reading,” a brief Index and a dozen illustrations. Although only the first chapter is entitled “Questions and answers,” I am wondering whether all four chapters could bear that title appropriately. In any case, the first paragraph of the first page raises the question of meaninglessness: whether the question of the meaning of life is a meaningful question at all; whether it really is capable of carrying a meaningful answer