The account of the best life for humans - i.e. a happy or flourishing life - and what it might consist of was the central theme of ancient ethics. But what does it take to have a life that, if not happy, is at least worth living, compared with being dead or never having come into life? This question was also much discussed in antiquity, and David Machek's book reconstructs, for the first time, philosophical engagements with the question from Socrates to Plotinus. Machek's comprehensive book explores ancient views on a life worth living against a background of the pessimistic outlook on the human condition which was adopted by the Greek poets, and also shows the continuities and contrasts between the ancient perspective and modern philosophical debates about biomedical ethics and the ethics of procreation. His rich study of this relatively neglected theme offers a fresh and compelling narrative of ancient ethics.

Offers a fresh narrative of ancient ethics that does justice to neglected perspectives on the value of human life.

About the Author
David Machek is a Research Fellow at the Department of Philosophy, Universitat Bern. He has published articles in journals including Apeiron, Archiv fur die Geschichte der Philosophie, Journal of the History of Philosophy, and Philosophy East and West.

Reviews
'Machek's book on 'the life worth living' is a fascinating addition to the literature on ancient Greek and Roman ethics. It systematically investigates, with subtlety and rigor, important questions about a worthwhile life and the value of life that are peripheral to or ignored by standard studies of ancient ethical theory.' Richard Kraut, Northwestern University



Book Information
ISBN 9781009257879
Author David Machek
Format Hardback
Page Count 260
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 540g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 155mm * 20mm