Meaningfulness - A Conversation with Susan Wolf

This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and Susan Wolf, the Edna J. Koury Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This fascinating conversation explores what it is to live an ethical, meaningful life in keeping with her book, Meaning in Life and Why It Matters, the role that love, fulfillment, self-interest and happiness play in giving meaning to one’s life, and how meaningful activities occur when "subjective attraction meets objective attractiveness". This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Takin’ It To The Streets, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter: I. Philosophical Engagement - The appeal of thinking deeply II. Investigating Motivation - Beyond pleasure and duty III. Exploring Fulfillment - A key subjective metric IV. Subjective Meets Objective - Interpreting a “waste of time” V. Objectivity Emerges - The meaning of mistakes VI. Why Meaning Matters, Part I - A personal perspective VII. Enter Sisyphus - The meaning of rolling stones VIII. Frames of Reference - Cosmic questions and endoxic icons IX. Why Meaning Matters, Part II - Improving theoretical understanding X. Towards a Meaningful World - Making it real XI. Beyond Happiness - Pursuing what you love About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.