Jerome Eckstein Boeken

Exploring the essence of a meaningful life, Jerome Eckstein contrasts two attitudes: "interested," which is goal-oriented, and "intraested," which is self-directed. He argues that both perspectives are vital for enhancing life experiences. The book integrates insights from philosophy, psychology, religion, and the arts to address themes like work, love, and happiness. In a poignant epilogue, Eckstein reflects on his personal journey, touching on metaphysical loneliness, laughter, and the quest for dignity.

Non-instrumental acts and involvements are as basic to human nature as those which are instrumental; but our culture overlooks the former and thus diminishes human life. Hence, this book explores mainly the metaphysics of non-instrumental (intraested) involvements, and calls for their being better balanced and integrated with instrumental (interested) involvements. Various formulations of similar categories in philosophy and religion, particularly of love, are critically analyzed. Some aspects of Eckstein's life are examined for their effects on these ideas.