Why people recommend it
Midlife by Kieran Setiya is a philosophical exploration of the psychological shifts and existential questions that often arise during the middle years of life. On the No Stupid Questions podcast, during the episode Are You Having a Midlife Crisis? released in January 2023, Stephen Dubner discussed the themes of the book with his audience. Dubner noted that the publication, subtitled A Philosophical Guide, presents the argument that while the traditional midlife crisis was exaggerated for a period and later shown to be less universal than once believed, the author refuses to dismiss the phenomenon entirely. Instead, Setiya suggests there are numerous valid reasons why this transitional phase of human existence legitimately occurs. Dubner used the text to explore the nuanced realities of aging, personal reflection, and the philosophical frameworks individuals utilize to navigate the changing priorities, career plateaus, and mortality awareness that frequently characterize the middle decades of life.
Who recommended it
- Stephen Dubner Recommended
Stephen Dubner — 1 mention
“It's called 'Midlife: A Philosophical Guide,' and he makes the argument that while the midlife crisis was kind of overhyped for a while, and then found to be not as prevalent as it was thought to be at one point, he doesn't dismiss it. He says there's all kinds of good reasons why this might exist.”