Summary: The New Yorker’s profile of philosopher Derek Parfit delves into his upbringing, his work, and his relationships, including one with Bernard Williams, who was sceptical of the idea of objective moral truth, a belief that Parfit holds to be of utmost importance. The article also explores Parfit’s personal beliefs, including his fear of death and his difficulty in forging emotional connections with other people.
The book was dense with science-fictional thought experiments, all urging a shift toward a more impersonal, non-physical, and selfless view of human life. (View Highlight)
