Book description
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 lucid introduction to current research on the brain. Who Am
I? And If So, How Many? is a wonderfully accessible introduction
to philosophy. The book 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?
