How to Stop Living and Start Worrying: Conversations with Carl Cederstrm

by Simon Critchley, Carl Cederström

The question of how to lead a happy and meaningful life has been at the heart of philosophical debate since time immemorial. Today, however, these questions seem to be addressed not by philosophers but self-help gurus, who frantically champion the individual's quest for self-expression and self-realization; the desire to become authentic. Against these new age sophistries, How to Stop Living and Start Worrying tackles the question of 'how to live' by forcing us to explore our troubling relationship with death. For Critchley, philosophy begins with the question of finitude and with his understanding of a key classical theme - that to philosophize is to learn how to die. Learning how to accept both our own and others' mortality as a part of life also raises the question of how to love. Critchley argues that the act of love requires us to give up something of ourselves, to lose control so as to be open to the demands of love. We will never be equal to this demand and so we are brought face to face with our own limitations - one form of which is what Critchley calls our 'originary inauthenticity'. By scrutinizing the very nature of humour, Critchley explores what we need to laugh at ourselves and presents the need to confront the inescapable ridiculousness of life. Reflecting on the work of over 20 years, this book provides a unique, witty and erudite introduction to the thought of Simon Critchley. It includes a revealing biographical conversation with Critchley and a fascinating debate with the critically acclaimed novelist Tom McCarthy about the nature of authenticity. Taken together the conversations give an intimate portrait of one of the most lucid, provocative and engaging philosophers writing today.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Death

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2010

About the author

Simon Critchley (born 27 February 1960 in Hertfordshire) is an English philosopher currently teaching at The New School. He works in continental philosophy. Critchley argues that philosophy commences in disappointment, either religious or political. These two axes may be said largely to inform his published work: religious disappointment raises the question of meaning and has to, as he sees it, deal with the problem of nihilism; political disappointment provokes the question of justice and raises the need for a coherent ethics [...]

Reviews

[Ehsan · Rating 4 out of 5]

«اگر او خود را بکشد، که در نمایشنامه چنین می‌کند و می‌میرد، بعد از مرگ به کجا می‌رود؟ به هادس [سرزمین مردگان] می‌رود و در هادس پدر او شاه مینوس حکم می‌راند. با این وصف وقتی دختر شاه در هادس، در برابر پدرش ظاهر می‌شود چه اتفاقی می‌افتد؟ این میلی پدرانه بوده است که از چه رو این‌جایی دخترم؟ و او پاسخ می‌دهد زیرا من نیز با همان میلی برانگیخته شدم که همسرت پاسیفائه، وقتی می‌خواست با گاو نزدیکی کند دچارش شده بود.»
و زندگی بر روی زمین برای فائدرا ناممکن است -که او با میلی زندگی می‌کند که تسلطی بر آن ندارد- و مرگ نیز ناممکن است بر او -که وقتی می‌میرد به هادس می‌رود و نزد پدرش- ناتوان است از مردن و زیست. تجربه‌ی ناممکنی وجه معرف فائدراست؛ دخترکی که مادرش به گاوی نر نزدیکی کرد و حال خود نیز گرفتار عشقی ممنوعه شده. او که سوژه‌ی انشقاقی است و ناتوان از منطبق شدن با خویش.

[Az · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب رو با ترجمه‌ی مهرداد پارسا از انتشارات شَوَند خوندم. متن خیلی سنگین و غیرقابل فهمی نداره، گاهی نیاز به سرچ کردن و مطالعه‌ی بیش‌تره اما در کل قابل فهم و روونه. صحبت‌ها و مکالمات جالب بودن و ایده‌های قابل توجهی رو بیان می‌کردن. بخشِ 'طنز' برام خیلی جالب بود. فکر می‌کنم بتونم در آینده هم یک بار دیگه کتابو بخونم..
"دانشگاه‌ها به جایی تبدیل شده‌اند که دیگر نمی‌توان در آن فکر کرد."
"هرچه که باشیم، باز هم همان موجودات شقاق یافته‌ای هستیم که توان انطباق یافتن با خود را نداریم و همواره چیزی یا تکه‌ای اضافی از ما بیرون می‌زند."

[Marin Kuijt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bij vlagen mooie inzichten, maar zeker het einde is wat zelfingenomen.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat uneven; the interview about humor probably being the best, most generative and well articulated.

[Alec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved some of this starting with the autobiographical parts of the interview that tied his personal to his philosophical story, but by the end, felt the same disappointment with academic continental philosophy that ultimately and always - in these times, especially - shows itself up for the ashen emptiness of theorizing in an echo-chamber. I feel Critchley is contemporary but not originary.

[Brooks Rocco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine introduction to 'Continental Philosophy', a contrarian and cynical branch of fun.