The Really Hard Problem: Meaning in a Material World (A Bradford Book) Paperback – February 13, 2009

This is a remarkably brilliant book that I found tremendously thought provoking. I'm not a philosopher, although I did study some in undergrad and grad school, so I am woefully unqualified to comment on the more technical portions of the work. But I admired the way the author tackled some 'really hard problems' that often get overlooked by those who adhere to 'logic' and 'science' rather than 'religion' (all of which are ultimately 'faith-based', but that's another issue). For instance, the whole question of 'why is there something rather than nothing' is something that he takes on quite seriously from a non-religious perspective, and while I found his argument to be somewhat less than satisfying I really have to give him credit for trying.There are quite a few typos, grammatical errors, etc. that caught me by surprise, given the learned nature of the work - some more detailed editing would have helped. And I couldn't help but note the culturally chauvinistic allusion to the 'odd' hindu beliefs associated with marriage and a few other condescending remarks toward the great unwashed masses - a fairly common thing among philosphers sometimes I'm afraid. And while I recognize he couldn't attack every 'really hard problem' there was an occasional lapse into the assertion of unexamined (at least in this book) assumptions that felt kind of weak to me. But on the whole, an excellent book!

Owen Flanagan endeavours to find meaning in a material world - no less. And what a quest it is! Never mind his conclusions, Flanagan's book trumps the not-so-intelligent works of design theorists by its sheer breadth of argument, imaginative approach and evocative style, empowering its readers to summon up their own wisdom in answering the one really hard question that life has in store for us: supposing that consciousness is nothing but an emergent property of a functioning brain, what does that mean? Who else would have the philosophical wherewithal to draw on the Dalai Lama's interlocutory exploration of Western science to shed light on our own culture's tentative grappling with the findings of neuroscience and evolutionary biology? Flanagan's graceful treatment of the Dalai Lama's so-called caveat - not finding something does not prove it does not exist - is a first, as is his discussion of this modern Tibetan philosopher's stance on the neuronal-correlates-of-consciousness view. Any reader who prefers to think for himself of herself about the meaning of life - instead of being lectured on it ex cathedra - should read Owen Flanagan's work.

The author does better on attack than defense. On attack in his previous books he has been incisive and clear. He could clearly state why he finds the apparatus of the conscious self unnecessary and he could be outraged that fellow profesionals might accept determinism in the psychology lab but abandon it at home.Here, trying to defend the application of determinism to the self "at home," he runs straight into the logical conundrums this involves. His strategy is to try to wind us all together in strings of wispy theory that he hopes, like a spider's web, will entangle us and render us defenceless. No such luck.Reason either is or is not subject to determinism. If it isn't, then no product of the human mind need be. If it is, it isn't qualified to consider the alternatives of everything being--not being--determined. The existence of science predicated on the demand that all hypotheses be capable of disproof demands that the process not be determined. The methodology of science guarantees that the self is not determined.To me, this sad book reveals the vacuity at the core of the supposedly-determined self. Read it as a warning of what is happening to students fed on a diet of physicalism and natural selection.Take me for a Christian, a creationist? Think again. There's a growing tide of resistance among scientists (I'm a science writer) to physicalism's implications.

Have twin scholarly pursuits could drive some to madness. In Flanagan's hands, though, a wonderful, thoughtful synthesis emerges. I have enjoyed his earlier works more, but for those intrigued by the idea of how to live the good life when some scientistists argue free will is nonexistent, this book will appeal.I found his six arenas of investigation reflect a blend of the ancient and modern. Scan headlines and articles today and it is easy to spot how we are all trying to muster meaning from these six essential arenas. The ideas he approaches are hard and the evidence he sifts is hard won. A great primer for his most recent look at Buddhism.

Flanagan fills some very large gaps in this short compendium. He offers a view of conscious experience in a material world that allows for beauty and quiet awe all the while breaking none of the laws of natural science. Attempting to synthesize the wisdom of the Buddhist and Taoist (and other Eastern spiritual traditions) with the latests findings in the physical and social sciences is nothing to sneeze at, but Flanagan weaves a beautiful tapestry of a non-reductive material mind that has free-will and causality and is integrated with the physical world and body. The aim of the mind-body, he explains is to achieve Eudaimonia, or flourishing/well-being. He draws upon a strong knowledge of brain imaging in experienced meditating monks, the positive psychology movement, philosophy of mind, metaphysics, and evolutionary theory to solidify his main points. Flanagan provides a compelling argument that we can determine objectively (relative to current situations) the best way to going about living the "good life" without appealing to anything super-natural.

With the advent of life GOALS came into existence. Life has the goal of survival; extending its lifespan and reproducing. Anything that contributes to (or is a threat to) survival is then important to (has MEANING for) the lifeform. Intelligence and knowledge are important for this same reason, they contribute to survival of the entity that possesses them.

Should be made compulsory reading in ethics courses everywhere!

A well thought out book from a 19th century pre-Quantum scientific world view. If you are satisfied with the view that reality is an opaque material stuff devoid of any spiritual significance this book will appeal to you. Others need to look elsewhere when either trying to get to the bottom of things or of simply appreciating the wonder of being.