The question of how to lead a happy & meaningful life has been at the heart of philosophical debate since time immemorial. Today, however, these questions seem to be addressed not by philosophers but self-help gurus, who frantically champion the individual's quest for self-expression & self-realization; the desire to become authentic.Against these new age sophistries,How to Stop Living & Start Worryingtackles the question of'how to live'by forcing us to explore our troubling relationship with death. ForCritchley, philosophy begins with the question of finitude & with his understanding of a key classical theme -that to philosophize is to learn how to die. Learning how to accept both our own & others' mortality as a part of life also raises the question of how to love.Critchleyargues that the act of love requires us to give up something of ourselves, to lose control so as to be open to the demands of love. We will never be equal to this demand & so we are brought face to face with our own limitations - one form of which is whatCritchleycalls our'originary inauthenticity'. By scrutinizing the very nature of humour,Critchleyexplores what we need to laugh at ourselves & presents the need to confront the inescapable ridiculousness of life.Reflecting on the work of over 20 years, this book provides a unique, witty & erudite introduction to the thought ofSimon Critchley. It includes a revealing biographical conversation withCritchley& a fascinating debate with the critically acclaimed novelistTom McCarthyaboutthe nature of authenticity. Taken together the conversations give an intimate portrait of one of the most lucid, provocative & engaging philosophers writingtoday.The EPUB format of this title may not be compatible for use on all handheld devices.