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.

The question of how to lead a happy and meaningful life has been atthe heart of philosophical debate since time immemorial. Todayhowever, these questions seem to be addressed not by philosophersbut self-help gurus, who frantically champion the individual'squest for self-expression and self-realization; the desire tobecome authentic.Against these new age sophistries, How to Stop Living andStart Worrying tackles the question of 'how to live' by forcingus to explore our troubling relationship with death. For Critchleyphilosophy begins with the question of finitude and with hisunderstanding of a key classical theme - that to philosophize is tolearn how to die. Learning how to accept both our own and others'mortality as a part of life also raises the question of how tolove. Critchley argues that the act of love requires us to give upsomething of ourselves, to lose control so as to be open to thedemands of love. We will never be equal to this demand and so weare brought face to face with our own limitations - one form ofwhich is what Critchley calls our 'originary inauthenticity'. Byscrutinizing the very nature of humour, Critchley explores what weneed to laugh at ourselves and presents the need to confront theinescapable ridiculousness of life.Reflecting on the work of over 20 years, this book provides aunique, witty and erudite introduction to the thought of SimonCritchley. It includes a revealing biographical conversation withCritchley and a fascinating debate with the critically acclaimednovelist Tom McCarthy about the nature of authenticity. Takentogether the conversations give an intimate portrait of one of themost lucid, provocative and engaging philosophers writingtoday.

Introduction vii1 Life 12 Philosophy 273 Death 374 Love 605 Humour 776 Authenticity 102Bibliography 123Index 131