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Why We Are Restless
New Forum Books (Related to this series)
- Author
- Benjamin Storey
- Narrator
- Laurel Lefkow
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press
- Publish Date
- 6 April 2021
- Run Time
- 6 hours 35 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
This audiobook narrated by Laurel Lefkow reflects on how our pursuit of happiness makes us unhappy
We live in an age of unprecedented prosperity, yet everywhere we see signs that our pursuit of happiness has proven fruitless. Dissatisfied, we seek change for the sake of change—even if it means undermining the foundations of our common life. In
Why We Are Restless, Benjamin and Jenna Storey offer a profound and beautiful reflection on the roots of this malaise and examine how we might begin to cure ourselves.
Drawing on the insights of Montaigne, Pascal, Rousseau, and Tocqueville,
Why We Are Restless explores the modern vision of happiness that leads us on, and the disquiet that follows it like a lengthening shadow. In the sixteenth century, Montaigne articulated an original vision of human life that inspired people to see themselves as individuals dedicated to seeking contentment in the here and now, but Pascal argued that we cannot find happiness through pleasant self-seeking, only anguished God-seeking. Rousseau later tried and failed to rescue Montaigne's worldliness from Pascal's attack. Steeped in these debates, Tocqueville visited the United States in 1831 and, observing a people "restless in the midst of their well-being," discovered what happens when an entire nation seeks worldly contentment—and finds mostly discontent.
Arguing that the philosophy we have inherited, despite pretending to let us live as we please, produces remarkably homogenous and unhappy lives,
Why We Are Restless makes the case that finding true contentment requires rethinking our most basic assumptions about happiness.
Critics Review
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"Excellent. . . . Why We Are Restless stands out among other books like it by answering the question implied by its title with rigor and charity."—Matt Dinan, The Hedgehog Review
The Hedgehog Review
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"Beautifully written and carefully argued, it's as searching as it is subtle. . . . [Why We Are Restless] does a magnificent job of summarizing four hugely important thinkers with impressive clarity, wit, and brevity and raises some profound questions about the modern quest for happiness in the process."—Andrew Wilson, Gospel Coalition
Gospel Coalition
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"I have read many critiques of liberalism, but none so original as Why We Are Restless."—Barton Swaim, Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal
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"[Benjamin and Jenna Storey's] book is an education in the irony and complexity of the modern quest for contentment, and in the pre-modern sources required for any understanding of how to actually achieve meaningful contentment. . . . I can't recommend it enough."—Yuval Levin, National Review
National Review
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Benjamin Storey
- Narrator
- Laurel Lefkow
- Duration
- 6 hours 35 minutes
- Release Date
- 6 April 2021
- ISBN
- 9780691226873
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press
- Genre
- Ethics and moral philosophy, Popular philosophy
Synopsis
This audiobook narrated by Laurel Lefkow reflects on how our pursuit of happiness makes us unhappy We live in an age of unprecedented prosperity, yet everywhere we see signs that our pursuit of happiness has proven fruitless. Dissatisfied, we seek change for the sake of change—even if it means undermining the foundations of our common life. In Why We Are Restless, Benjamin and Jenna Storey offer a profound and beautiful reflection on the roots of this malaise and examine how we might begin to cure ourselves. Drawing on the insights of Montaigne, Pascal, Rousseau, and Tocqueville, Why We Are Restless explores the modern vision of happiness that leads us on, and the disquiet that follows it like a lengthening shadow. In the sixteenth century, Montaigne articulated an original vision of human life that inspired people to see themselves as individuals dedicated to seeking contentment in the here and now, but Pascal argued that we cannot find happiness through pleasant self-seeking, only anguished God-seeking. Rousseau later tried and failed to rescue Montaigne's worldliness from Pascal's attack. Steeped in these debates, Tocqueville visited the United States in 1831 and, observing a people "restless in the midst of their well-being," discovered what happens when an entire nation seeks worldly contentment—and finds mostly discontent. Arguing that the philosophy we have inherited, despite pretending to let us live as we please, produces remarkably homogenous and unhappy lives, Why We Are Restless makes the case that finding true contentment requires rethinking our most basic assumptions about happiness.
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