You Die at the End

The author of this book teaches philosophy and is a practising Stoic, a feature that comes out strongly in this (moral philosophy) book subtitled 'meditations on mortality and the human condition.' It is divided into the months of the year and structured with Biblical quotations followed by commentary. It comes from a courageous if somewhat bleak perspective of cosmic indifference in the face of suffering and death – 'you are a bag of self-conscious meat. This is not denigration but merely description.' As such, it is not surprising to find many passages from the Book of Job, a topic addressed in detail by the psychologist C.G. Jung. There is a strong sense of transience and even futility (Ecclesiastes), though with an emphasis on the development of virtue, character and even nobility in relation to conduct – living the best life of which we are capable. The tone is masculine, with little reference to love and nurturing – it is more of a bracing tonic for self-reliance.