42: Deep Thought on Life, the Universe, and Everything

Mark Vernon takes his inspiration from 42 of the funniest, wisest, and quirkiest quotations about the big questions in life, and uses these as starting points for his brilliant observations. In each chapter he explains what the greatest thinkers of all time have had to say on subjects such as eternal life, work, love and sex, and the nature of happiness; he draws his own conclusions, and will provoke you to think deeply about these things for yourself. Questions include: Is ignorance bliss? Are freedom and slavery mental states? Is love blind? Is there any reason to believe a politician who tells you things can only get better? 42 assumes no prior knowledge of philosophy; it’s easy and fun to read, but serious and challenging at the same time. Mark Vernon is a writer, broadcaster and journalist. He is the author of numerous books, including Science, Religion and the Meaning of Life and The Philosophy of Friendship. He has a PhD in philosophy, as well as degrees in theology and physics, and he is an Honorary Research Fellow at Birkbeck College, University of London.