Arts & Culture BOOKS
Now-philosopher, professor, and author Nick Riggle was once a professional inline skater who competed at the X-Games and played with fire.
Talking life’s biggest questions with USD professor and author Nick Riggle It’s a Beautiful Life
BY JACKIE BRYANT
hat the hell are we doing here, and what does it mean to lead a fulfilling life? Perhaps it’s due to living through Covid and its aftermath that I’m significantly horrified at humanity’s social, political, environmental, and economic challenges. Whatever the reason, I find myself asking the big existential questions more than ever. These are not questions I’m alone in wondering— the existence of university philosophy departments confirms this. Just pop into any late-night, booze-and- weed-soaked bonfire and eavesdrop on the chatter. W
But these are questions that, at least in the United States, have been largely cast aside during the 20th century in formal philosophy—until recently, University of San Diego aesthetics professor and author Nick Riggle tells me. We’re discussing his just-published book, This Beauty: A Philosophy of Being Alive , which provides a working manual for thinking through “The Question.” To wit: How are we, as sentient beings, supposed to value a life we did not choose to live? We’re here, sure as we can pinch our skins, but why should we “ want it, love it, care for it, make it mine ?” Riggle asks.
34 FEBRUARY 2023
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