Is Life Worth Living?

by W. H. (William Hurrell) Mallock

"Is Life Worth Living?" by W. H. Mallock is an analytical philosophical work written in the late 19th century. The book engages with the profound inquiry into the inherent value of human life, challenging readers to consider not just if life can be happy for some individuals, but whether it ought to be universally regarded as worth living. Mallock examines contemporary thought and argues that the question of life's worth possesses a new urgency in his era. At the start of the text, Mallock expresses skepticism about the prevailing optimism regarding life's intrinsic value, asserting that previous discussions have failed to analyze the worth of life with the necessary rigor. He argues that modern thought, despite its claims to scientific reasoning, often neglects a critical assessment of life’s significance. This opening discussion sets the stage for an exploration of various contemporary philosophical positions, including the relationship between happiness, morality, and societal expectations, effectively establishing the groundwork for his inquiry into the true meaning and worth of existence.