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The Use Of Life
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This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
316 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1979
6 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
John Lubbock
642 books60 followersThe Right Honourable John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury PC FRS DCL LLD (30 April 1834 – 28 May 1913), known as Sir John Lubbock, 4th Baronet from 1865 until 1900, was a banker, Liberal politician, philanthropist, scientist and polymath.
He was a banker and worked with his family’s company, but also made significant contributions in archaeology, ethnography, and several branches of biology. He helped establish archaeology as a scientific discipline, and was also influential in nineteenth-century debates concerning evolutionary theory.
In addition to his work at his father’s bank, Lubbock took a keen interest in archaeology and evolutionary theory. He spoke in support of the evolutionist Thomas Henry Huxley at the famous 1860 Oxford evolution debate. During the 1860s, he published many articles in which he used archaeological evidence to support Darwin’s theory. In 1864, he became one of the founding members (along with Thomas Henry Huxley and others) of the elite X Club, a dining club composed of nine gentlemen to promote the theories of natural selection and academic liberalism. In 1865 he succeeded to the baronetcy. During the 1860s he held a number of influential academic positions, including President of the Ethnological Society from 1864–65, Vice-President of Linnean Society in 1865, and President of the International Congress of Prehistoric Archaeology in 1868. In 1865 he published Pre-Historic Times, which became a standard archaeology textbook for the remainder of the century, with the seventh and final edition published in 1913.
His second book, On the Origin of Civilization, was published in 1870. During 1871, he purchased part of the Avebury estate to protect its prehistoric stone monuments from impending destruction. During the early 1870s, he held the position of President of the Royal Anthropological Society from 1871–73, as well as the position of Vice President of the Royal Society in 1871. During this period he worked with John Evans, the other key figure in the establishment of the discipline of archaeology.
In 1865 Lubbock published what was possibly the most influential archaeological text book of the nineteenth century, Pre-historic times, as illustrated by ancient remains, and the manners and customs of modern savages. He invented the terms "Palaeolithic" and "Neolithic" to denote the Old and New Stone Ages respectively. More notably, he introduced a Darwinian-type theory of human nature and development. "What was new was Lubbock’s ... insistence that, as a result of natural selection, human groups had become different from each other, not only culturally, but also in their biological capacities to utilize culture."
He had extensive correspondence with Charles Darwin, who lived nearby in Down House. Lubbock stayed in Downe except for a brief period from 1861–65, when he lived in Chislehurst. Both men were active advocates of English spelling reform, and members of the Spelling reform Association, precursor to the Simplified Spelling Society. Darwin rented land, originally from Lubbock’s father, for the Sandwalk wood where he performed his daily exercise, and in 1874 agreed with Lubbock to exchange the land for a piece of pasture in Darwin’s property. When Darwin died in 1882, Lubbock suggested the honour of burial in Westminster Abbey, organising a letter to the dean to arrange this, and was one of the pallbearers.
He was a banker and worked with his family’s company, but also made significant contributions in archaeology, ethnography, and several branches of biology. He helped establish archaeology as a scientific discipline, and was also influential in nineteenth-century debates concerning evolutionary theory.
In addition to his work at his father’s bank, Lubbock took a keen interest in archaeology and evolutionary theory. He spoke in support of the evolutionist Thomas Henry Huxley at the famous 1860 Oxford evolution debate. During the 1860s, he published many articles in which he used archaeological evidence to support Darwin’s theory. In 1864, he became one of the founding members (along with Thomas Henry Huxley and others) of the elite X Club, a dining club composed of nine gentlemen to promote the theories of natural selection and academic liberalism. In 1865 he succeeded to the baronetcy. During the 1860s he held a number of influential academic positions, including President of the Ethnological Society from 1864–65, Vice-President of Linnean Society in 1865, and President of the International Congress of Prehistoric Archaeology in 1868. In 1865 he published Pre-Historic Times, which became a standard archaeology textbook for the remainder of the century, with the seventh and final edition published in 1913.
His second book, On the Origin of Civilization, was published in 1870. During 1871, he purchased part of the Avebury estate to protect its prehistoric stone monuments from impending destruction. During the early 1870s, he held the position of President of the Royal Anthropological Society from 1871–73, as well as the position of Vice President of the Royal Society in 1871. During this period he worked with John Evans, the other key figure in the establishment of the discipline of archaeology.
In 1865 Lubbock published what was possibly the most influential archaeological text book of the nineteenth century, Pre-historic times, as illustrated by ancient remains, and the manners and customs of modern savages. He invented the terms "Palaeolithic" and "Neolithic" to denote the Old and New Stone Ages respectively. More notably, he introduced a Darwinian-type theory of human nature and development. "What was new was Lubbock’s ... insistence that, as a result of natural selection, human groups had become different from each other, not only culturally, but also in their biological capacities to utilize culture."
He had extensive correspondence with Charles Darwin, who lived nearby in Down House. Lubbock stayed in Downe except for a brief period from 1861–65, when he lived in Chislehurst. Both men were active advocates of English spelling reform, and members of the Spelling reform Association, precursor to the Simplified Spelling Society. Darwin rented land, originally from Lubbock’s father, for the Sandwalk wood where he performed his daily exercise, and in 1874 agreed with Lubbock to exchange the land for a piece of pasture in Darwin’s property. When Darwin died in 1882, Lubbock suggested the honour of burial in Westminster Abbey, organising a letter to the dean to arrange this, and was one of the pallbearers.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 4, 2022
This is a practical philosophical text that is written to answer the question of how best to use a life.
According to Lubbock, the greatest thing to learn in life is how to live. He states that 'more men have been destroyed by themselves than have ever been destroyed by others.' To show how to live a useful life, Lubbock shares the insights he has learned over his life in various domains of life—from money management, health, citizenship, social life, and religion.
Across the eighteen chapters, Lubbock shares his wisdom and validates the great early western philosophers (Socrates and Seneca).
By providing food for thought on the big areas of life, Lubbock provides a useful handful on how to live a more fulfilling life.
My big complaint about the book was that a lot of the chapters felt like fluff. Bragging about how England was the greatest and most compassionate country in the world was very painful to read.
my rating - overall Score: 3.4/5.0
- quality of writing (3/5)
- quality of the content (3/5)
- impact on my perspective (5/5)
- personal resonance (4/5)
- rereading potential (2/5)
Quality of writing - is the topic covered in the right amount of words? Tangentially related, is the book paperback? how smooth are the pages on my fingers? how visually pleasing is the font? can I hold the book in my hand for an extended period without my shoulders cramping up?!
Quality of the content - how rewarding was the material? did the reading help concentrate my mind and reduce attention residue from work?
Impact of my perspective - did the book cause me to re-visit my core values for adjustment?
Personal resonance - did I feel more connected to other people?
According to Lubbock, the greatest thing to learn in life is how to live. He states that 'more men have been destroyed by themselves than have ever been destroyed by others.' To show how to live a useful life, Lubbock shares the insights he has learned over his life in various domains of life—from money management, health, citizenship, social life, and religion.
Across the eighteen chapters, Lubbock shares his wisdom and validates the great early western philosophers (Socrates and Seneca).
By providing food for thought on the big areas of life, Lubbock provides a useful handful on how to live a more fulfilling life.
My big complaint about the book was that a lot of the chapters felt like fluff. Bragging about how England was the greatest and most compassionate country in the world was very painful to read.
my rating - overall Score: 3.4/5.0
- quality of writing (3/5)
- quality of the content (3/5)
- impact on my perspective (5/5)
- personal resonance (4/5)
- rereading potential (2/5)
Quality of writing - is the topic covered in the right amount of words? Tangentially related, is the book paperback? how smooth are the pages on my fingers? how visually pleasing is the font? can I hold the book in my hand for an extended period without my shoulders cramping up?!
Quality of the content - how rewarding was the material? did the reading help concentrate my mind and reduce attention residue from work?
Impact of my perspective - did the book cause me to re-visit my core values for adjustment?
Personal resonance - did I feel more connected to other people?
May 23, 2013
I really liked the two chapters about reading and libraries.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews