The Examined Life

A book of short reflective essays, subtitled Philosophical Meditations, in which Nozick turns from technical argument to the questions people ask about their own lives. The title echoes Socrates' saying that the unexamined life is not worth living. Its chapters, written in a personal and exploratory voice, range over dying, parents and children, creating, sexuality, love's bond, emotions, happiness, being more real, and wisdom. In the chapter on happiness he returns to his "experience machine", arguing that we want more than pleasant experiences: we want to be in contact with reality. Running through the book is the idea that a good life is a more real one, with greater depth, intensity and connection. In the chapter "The Zigzag of Politics" Nozick says that the libertarian position he had defended in Anarchy, State, and Utopia now seemed to him seriously inadequate, because it left out joint, symbolic concerns.

It shows a leading analytic philosopher thinking aloud about love, death and happiness in plain prose, and it is a gentle way into philosophy as a guide to living.