# Life Is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way

Life can be tough. Whether it's dealing with personal struggles or facing the challenges of the world around us, we all encounter difficult times. But philosophy can help us find our way and make sense of the world.

## Stoicism

One philosophy that can help us navigate life's challenges is stoicism. This ancient Greek philosophy teaches us to focus on what we can control and let go of what we can't. By accepting what we cannot change and focusing on our own actions and attitudes, we can find peace and contentment in even the toughest situations.

## Existentialism

Another philosophy that can help us find our way is existentialism. This philosophy emphasizes individual freedom and choice, and encourages us to find meaning and purpose in our own lives. By embracing our own unique experiences and perspectives, we can find fulfillment and purpose in a world that can often feel uncertain and chaotic.

## Buddhism

Buddhism is another philosophy that can help us navigate life's challenges. This ancient tradition teaches us to cultivate awareness and compassion, and to let go of our attachments and desires. By living in the present moment and accepting change as a natural part of life, we can find peace and contentment even in the face of difficulty.

## Epistemology

Finally, the philosophy of epistemology can help us find our way by encouraging us to question our assumptions and beliefs. By examining the foundations of our knowledge and understanding, we can gain a deeper sense of clarity and insight into the world around us. This can help us make more informed decisions and navigate life's challenges with greater wisdom and understanding.

In conclusion, philosophy can offer us valuable guidance and wisdom as we navigate the challenges of life. Whether we turn to stoicism, existentialism, Buddhism, or epistemology, we can find insights and perspectives that can help us make sense of the world and find our own way forward.

Felt a bit like a bait-and-switch. I was expecting a book with a focus on the hardships of life, perhaps with lessons about acceptance. But while the chapter titles lead us off with the various types of "hard" we're likely to encounter through life, the conversation quickly shifts to general philosophy and pop psychology. And little of that conversation was genuinely compelling or enlightening. I did bookmark this interesting tidbit, though - Setiya is quoting somebody else, a historian named Keith Thomas, on the topic of friendship in early modern England - "friends were valued because they were useful. One did not necessarily have to LIKE them." Ha! I never heard such an analysis; I guess it makes sense, if you think about how marriage used to be much more of a social contract based on utility rather than a way for fulfilling love matches. Maybe friendship was similar... not based on any bosom-buddy kind of feeling, but more of a mutual aid society. ( )

To quote the title, life is hard, and Kieran Setiya tackles the subject of living philosophically with ferocious interrogations into the meaning of existence. He recommends a guide to human satisfaction: enjoy living well, as opposed to chasing ideal happiness or attaining perfection. Exploring universal questions through famous works of literature and personal imprints of being, Setiya examines how we can endure adversity by setting new expectations for our inner ambitions.

In analyzing the philosophical topics expounded upon in this book, I was dissatisfied with the results. Setiya seems to be advocating for settling, going quietly about our lives without dreaming, without wanting something better than a life considered to be good enough. He asks that we be satisfied with decency, as opposed to striving for happiness or perfection. While attempting to work through these conundrums, he cites the work of philosophers and writers such as Aristotle, Virginia Woolf, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. He argues with all of them, and does not budge on his own opinions of their work, stating them as fact. He consistently uses generalization, and offers a bleak vision of the world that is crowded with adversity and absurdity. The most difficult part of the book is the language, which often contradicts itself, and is not accessibly written for the average reader. Setiya is at his most eloquent when meditating upon grief, but fails to truly capture the heart of human consciousness as a whole. Instead of accepting our lot as he suggests, we must allow ourselves to dream of a better future. ( )