Conversations about the Meaning of Life (Conversations about Philosophy)

What do Mother Teresa, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the exploration of Mars have in common? They all shed light on humanity’s oldest question: What makes life meaningful? In this engaging and accessible book, world-renowned philosophers David Benatar and Thaddeus Metz present sharply contrasting views. Benatar argues that, from a cosmic perspective, human life has almost no significance. Metz, by contrast, defends an optimistic vision, arguing that truth, beauty, love, and goodness can enrich our existence. Guided by Brain in a Vat podcast hosts Jason Werbeloff and Mark Oppenheimer, this lively dialogue brings two of the field’s most influential voices into direct conversation. Along the way, they draw on pop culture, science, and classic philosophy to explore whether life’s meaning is found in religion, human flourishing, or something else entirely. Read more