ed. Massimo Pigliucci – How to Live a Good Life: Book Review & Audio Summary

Book Info

• Book name: How to Live a Good Life: A Practical Guide to Ethics for a Better You
• Author: Massimo Pigliucci (Editor), Skye Cleary (Editor), Daniel Kaufman (Editor)
• Genre: Social Sciences & Humanities (Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology), Self-Help & Personal Development
• Pages: 384
• Published Year: 2017
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Language: English

Audio Summary

Synopsis

How to Live a Good Life is an ambitious anthology that tackles one of humanity’s most enduring questions: what should we do with our time here? Edited by philosopher Massimo Pigliucci and colleagues Skye Cleary and Daniel Kaufman, this collection brings together 15 different philosophical traditions—from Buddhism and Confucianism to Stoicism and Existentialism—each explained by experts in their respective fields. Rather than prescribing a single answer, the book invites readers on a journey through centuries of human wisdom, exploring both sacred and secular traditions from East and West, ancient and modern. It’s a practical roadmap for anyone seeking to develop their own personal philosophy and live more intentionally.

Key Takeaways

• Buddhism prioritizes ethics and compassion, teaching us to minimize suffering in the world while maintaining the right mindset—acting without anger even when taking difficult actions.
• Confucianism emphasizes that we cannot exist independently of others; living well means nurturing and maintaining our relationships with everyone around us.
• Taoism teaches us to work in harmony with nature rather than against it, accepting reality and finding creative solutions that flow with circumstances rather than resist them.
• Each philosophical tradition offers unique insights into living well, and we can draw from multiple traditions to construct a personal philosophy suited to our individual circumstances and values.
• Thinking deliberately about your philosophy of life is an enriching exercise that helps you live more intentionally and authentically.

My Summary

Why We Need a Philosophy of Life More Than Ever

I’ll be honest—when I first picked up How to Live a Good Life, I was skeptical. Another book promising to answer life’s biggest questions? But here’s what surprised me: this isn’t a book that tells you what to think. Instead, it’s more like having 15 different wise mentors sitting down with you, each sharing their perspective on what makes life meaningful.

In our current age of information overload and constant distraction, many of us drift through life without ever pausing to ask ourselves the fundamental question: what am I actually trying to accomplish here? We’re so busy optimizing our productivity, scrolling through social media, and chasing the next deadline that we forget to step back and consider whether we’re even heading in the right direction.

Massimo Pigliucci, a philosopher at the City College of New York, along with co-editors Skye Cleary and Daniel Kaufman, recognized this gap. They assembled a remarkable collection of essays, each written by a scholar or practitioner deeply immersed in a particular philosophical tradition. The result is something rare: a book that respects your intelligence and invites you to explore, compare, and ultimately choose your own path.

Buddhism: Ethics Without the Self

The book opens with Buddhism, and right away, it challenges our Western assumptions. Owen Flanagan, a Buddhism expert, shares a fascinating encounter with the Dalai Lama that perfectly captures Buddhism’s ethical core. When asked whether it would be ethical to assassinate Hitler during his rise to power, the Dalai Lama consulted with fellow spiritual leaders and concluded: yes, but don’t be angry.

This answer might seem shocking at first. How can killing someone be ethical? But that’s exactly the point Buddhism makes. It’s not about rigid rules; it’s about the broader picture of reducing suffering in the world. If killing one person prevents the deaths of millions, the ethical calculation is clear—as long as you act from a place of compassion rather than hatred.

What struck me most about the Buddhist perspective is how radically outward-focused it is. Buddhism isn’t about achieving personal bliss or finding your inner peace (though those might be side effects). It’s about what you can do for the world. The Buddha rejected the Hindu concept of Atman—a permanent essence or soul—and instead taught that everything is impermanent. Without a permanent self to protect or promote, the focus naturally shifts to reducing suffering wherever it exists.

In practical terms, this means constantly asking yourself: “What action will reduce the most suffering?” It’s a framework I’ve found surprisingly useful in daily decision-making, from how I interact with difficult coworkers to how I think about charitable giving. The Buddhist approach strips away ego and self-interest, leaving only the question of impact.

Confucianism: We Are Our Relationships

If Buddhism seems to dissolve the self, Confucianism takes a different approach. According to scholar Brian Van Norden’s essay, Confucianism doesn’t deny the self—it just recognizes that the self only exists in relation to others. Trying to ignore yourself, as some interpretations of Buddhism might suggest, is like closing your eyes to avoid seeing your nose. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

This resonates deeply with my own experience. I’ve noticed that my happiest and most fulfilled periods weren’t when I was pursuing purely individual goals, but when I was deeply connected to family, friends, and community. Confucianism formalizes this intuition into a complete philosophy.

The philosopher Wang Yang Ming observed something profound: we naturally feel concern when we see a child in danger. We’d also feel concern for an animal in distress, or even a tree being unnecessarily destroyed. This isn’t learned behavior—it’s an innate recognition of our interconnectedness with all things.

For Confucians, living well means nurturing these relationships. That means honoring your parents (who gave you life), caring for your children, maintaining friendships, and recognizing your role in the broader community. It’s not about self-sacrifice exactly; it’s about understanding that your wellbeing and others’ wellbeing are fundamentally intertwined.

In modern life, this philosophy offers a powerful antidote to the cult of individualism. We’re constantly told to “follow our dreams” and “put ourselves first,” but Confucianism reminds us that we’re not isolated atoms bouncing through space. We’re nodes in a vast network of relationships, and those relationships are what give our lives meaning and structure.

Taoism: Going With the Flow (But Not How You Think)

Taoism often gets reduced to a caricature: “just go with the flow, man.” But as Robin R. Wang’s essay makes clear, Taoism is far more sophisticated than that. Yes, it’s about harmony with nature, but it’s also about strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.

The story of Dayu and the flood perfectly illustrates this. When floodwaters threatened his land, Dayu didn’t build walls to fight against the water. Instead, he created channels to redirect the water for irrigation. He worked with the natural flow rather than against it, turning a threat into an asset.

Wang offers a contemporary example that really clicked for me: the realtor’s mentality. A successful realtor might work with 30 clients knowing that only two or three will actually buy. Rather than getting frustrated by the 90% “failure” rate, the realtor accepts this reality and doesn’t fixate on any single client. This isn’t resignation—it’s strategic acceptance of how things actually work.

I’ve tried applying this Taoist mindset to my own work as a writer and blogger. Instead of agonizing over every article that doesn’t go viral or every book summary that gets modest engagement, I’ve learned to accept that success isn’t linear. Some pieces resonate, others don’t, and that’s just the nature of creative work. Fighting against this reality only creates unnecessary suffering.

Taoism doesn’t mean being passive. It means being smart about where you direct your energy. Don’t waste effort fighting battles you can’t win; instead, look for the natural openings and opportunities that already exist. It’s about efficiency and effectiveness, not laziness.

Ancient Greek and Roman Wisdom

While the summary I read didn’t go into detail about the Greek and Roman philosophies covered in the book, I know from the full text that How to Live a Good Life includes essays on Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Aristotelianism—three of the most influential Western philosophical traditions.

Stoicism, which has seen a massive revival in recent years (thanks in part to Pigliucci’s own previous book, How to Be a Stoic), teaches us to focus on what we can control and accept what we cannot. Epicureanism, often misunderstood as hedonism, actually advocates for simple pleasures and the avoidance of unnecessary desires. Aristotelianism emphasizes virtue and the golden mean—finding balance in all things.

What I appreciate about including these Western traditions alongside Eastern ones is that it allows for fascinating comparisons. Buddhism and Stoicism, for instance, share a remarkable amount of common ground despite developing independently on opposite sides of the world. Both emphasize acceptance, both warn against attachment, and both focus on reducing suffering through mental discipline.

The Modern Traditions: Existentialism, Humanism, and Beyond

The book doesn’t stop with ancient philosophies. It also explores modern approaches including Existentialism, Secular Humanism, Effective Altruism, and even Ethical Naturalism. This is crucial because while ancient wisdom has enduring value, we also face uniquely modern challenges that require contemporary frameworks.

Existentialism, for instance, confronts the anxiety and freedom of modern life head-on. In a world without predetermined meaning, we must create our own. This can be terrifying, but it’s also liberating. You’re not bound by tradition or destiny—you’re free to choose who you become.

Effective Altruism, a relatively new movement, applies rigorous analysis to the question of how to do the most good. Rather than relying on intuition or emotion, Effective Altruists use data and careful reasoning to identify the interventions that will help the most people most effectively. It’s Buddhism’s focus on reducing suffering combined with modern analytical tools.

Putting Philosophy Into Practice

So how do you actually use this book? Here’s what I’ve found helpful: you don’t need to choose just one philosophy. In fact, that’s kind of the point. Different situations call for different approaches.

When I’m facing a problem at work, I often channel my inner Taoist and ask: “Am I fighting against the natural flow here? Is there a way to work with the situation rather than against it?” When I’m making decisions about charitable giving or how to spend my time, I think like a Buddhist: “What will reduce the most suffering?” When I’m feeling disconnected or isolated, Confucianism reminds me to invest in my relationships.

Here are some specific ways these philosophies can apply to everyday life:

In your career: Taoism can help you identify when to push forward and when to pivot. Stoicism can help you handle rejection and setbacks without losing your composure. Confucianism reminds you that your professional relationships matter as much as your individual achievements.

In relationships: Confucianism emphasizes the importance of maintaining and nurturing connections. Buddhism encourages compassion without attachment. Existentialism reminds you that you’re free to define what your relationships mean and how you want to show up in them.

In dealing with stress and anxiety: Stoicism teaches you to distinguish between what you can and cannot control. Buddhism offers meditation and mindfulness practices. Taoism suggests accepting reality rather than fighting against it.

In finding meaning: Existentialism says you create your own meaning through your choices and commitments. Aristotelianism suggests that meaning comes from developing virtue and excellence. Humanism locates meaning in human flourishing and progress.

In making ethical decisions: Buddhism asks what will reduce suffering. Effective Altruism asks what will do the most good. Virtue ethics asks what a person of good character would do in this situation.

The Book’s Strengths and Limitations

Let me be upfront about what this book does well and where it falls short. On the positive side, the diversity of perspectives is genuinely impressive. Too many philosophy books present a single viewpoint as if it’s the only reasonable option. How to Live a Good Life respects readers enough to present multiple options and trust us to think for ourselves.

Each essay is written by someone who has devoted years (often decades) to studying and practicing their particular tradition. This expertise shows. You’re not getting superficial summaries; you’re getting nuanced, thoughtful explorations that capture both the letter and spirit of each philosophy.

The book also does an excellent job of making ancient wisdom relevant to modern life. The contributors don’t just explain what Confucius or Buddha taught; they show how these teachings apply to contemporary challenges like technology, globalization, and social media.

However, the book isn’t without limitations. At 384 pages covering 15 different philosophies, each tradition only gets about 25 pages. That’s enough for a solid introduction, but if any particular philosophy resonates with you, you’ll definitely want to read more. Think of this book as a sampler platter rather than a full meal.

Some readers have noted that the writing can occasionally veer into academic territory. While I didn’t find it overly dense, it does assume a certain level of comfort with philosophical concepts and terminology. If you’re completely new to philosophy, you might need to read some sections twice or keep Google handy for unfamiliar terms.

The book also can’t escape a certain Western bias despite its global scope. While it includes Eastern traditions, the framing and organization still reflect Western academic philosophy. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s worth noting.

How This Book Compares to Similar Works

In the crowded field of practical philosophy books, How to Live a Good Life occupies a unique space. Unlike Ryan Holiday’s popular Stoicism books, which dive deep into a single tradition, Pigliucci’s anthology gives you breadth rather than depth. It’s more comparable to Will Durant’s classic The Story of Philosophy, but with a more practical, applied focus.

If you’ve read Alain de Botton’s The Consolations of Philosophy, you’ll find a similar mission here—making philosophy relevant and useful for everyday life. But while de Botton filters everything through his own voice and perspective, How to Live a Good Life gives you direct access to multiple expert voices.

For those interested in the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science, you might also enjoy The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt, which examines ancient philosophical ideas through the lens of contemporary psychology. That book goes deeper into the scientific evidence, while Pigliucci’s focuses more on the philosophical frameworks themselves.

Questions Worth Pondering

As I finished this book, I found myself sitting with some questions that I’m still mulling over. Maybe you’ll want to think about them too:

Can you genuinely practice multiple philosophies simultaneously, or do their differences eventually force you to choose? I’ve found that I naturally gravitate toward different traditions in different contexts, but I wonder if this flexibility is sustainable long-term or if it represents a lack of commitment.

How much does our personal philosophy need to align with the dominant culture around us? Living as a Stoic or Buddhist in modern America means constantly swimming against the current of consumerism and individualism. Is that tension productive, or does it just create unnecessary friction?

Why This Book Matters Now

We’re living through a crisis of meaning. Traditional sources of identity and purpose—religion, community, stable careers—have eroded for many people. At the same time, we’re bombarded with competing messages about what matters: success, happiness, authenticity, impact, pleasure, virtue, and on and on.

How to Live a Good Life doesn’t resolve this crisis, but it gives us tools to navigate it thoughtfully. It reminds us that humans have been grappling with these questions for thousands of years, and while there’s no single answer, there are many wisdom traditions we can draw upon.

What I love most about this book is its fundamental respect for readers. It doesn’t preach or prescribe. It presents options, explains them clearly, and trusts you to figure out what resonates with your own experience and values. In an age of gurus and self-help hucksters promising simple solutions, this humility is refreshing.

Whether you’re going through a major life transition, feeling stuck in your current path, or simply curious about how to live more intentionally, this book offers a wealth of perspectives to consider. You might find that one philosophy speaks to you immediately, or you might—like me—find yourself drawing from multiple traditions as you construct your own personal philosophy.

I’d love to hear from you: Have you read How to Live a Good Life? Which philosophical tradition resonated most with you, and why? Are you already practicing any of these philosophies, even if you didn’t know the formal name for it? Drop a comment below and let’s continue this conversation. After all, as the Confucians would remind us, we figure these things out together, not in isolation.