Overview

Adversity is widespread. While many people recognize the challenges posed by destitution, disease, disability, or discrimination, considering only these conditions seriously underestimates how much adversity there is. We meet and interact with many people, but only rarely do we know anything about the hardships they confront. The eighteen personal accounts in this collection provide a range of examples of the kinds of physical, psychological, and social adversities people face. The authors explain what it is like to live with these challenges. The essays convey both the hardships and challenges but also methods of adaptation and coping. The narratives are intended to be neither redemptive nor morose. They are frank but un-wallowing descriptions that will enlighten those not facing the same adversities--and resonate with those who do share them.

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Reviews

""This fascinating collection will be invaluable for readers who wish to prepare themselves for facing adversity, learn from how others have handled it, compare others' experiences and coping strategies with their own, or gain better understanding of what many people in the world go through. The editor's introduction thoughtfully explores what these accounts reveal about the human condition and our awareness of suffering."" --Iddo Landau, Professor of Philosophy, University of Haifa, and author of Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World ""In Living with Adversity, Professor David Benatar assembles a collection of first-person accounts of living with one or more adverse conditions. Some of these conditions are psychological or psychiatric, some are physical, but all are causes of suffering. Professor Benatar's thoughtful introductory chapter provides a framework for readers to appreciate the pervasiveness and diversity of adversity, much of which is hidden or otherwise not usually shared. Life sometimes includes wonderful moments but always includes adversity and suffering. Living with Adversity offers readers an opportunity to recognize that they are not alone in their suffering, but instead that suffering is endemic to life."" --Todd K. Shackelford, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, Oakland University

Author Information

David Benatar is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town.

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