Synopses & Reviews
In the tradition of
The Culture of Narcissism and
Listening to Prozac, a resonant exploration of the paradoxes of self-improvement. Americans have always been the world's most anxiously enthusiastic consumers of "enhancement technologies." There is nothing novel about our use of Prozac and Viagra, or in our yearning toward cosmetic surgery and Botox injections, except the names of the drugs and the procedures. With the success of each new medical technology, a familiar pattern of response surfaces: public hand-wringing, an occasional congressional hearing, calls for self-reliance. "We have created in America a culture of drugs." The speaker? Richard Nixon.
Better Than Well offers a diagnosis rather than an argument. Why do we feel uneasy about these drugs, procedures, and therapies even while we embrace them? Where do we draw the line between self and society? Why do we seek self-realization in ways so heavily influenced by cultural conformity? This wise, humane, and provocative book traces the fault lines in our peculiarly obsessive pursuit of happiness.
Review
"Elliott, packing the book with intriguing examples of manifestations as well as cultural references, examines our self-consciousness and the roots of it. The writing is intelligent and thought provoking, but readers looking for a self-help book or any easy answer will not find it here." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Elliott is uniquely qualified to deal with such issues of body and mindafter finishing medical school, he pursued a Ph.D. in moral philosophy instead of entering clinical practiceand in his book he digs deeply, examining such transformative standbys as cosmetic surgery and antidepressant drugs, as well as subtler innovations like piercing, tattoos, and speech therapy for people looking to shed their regional accents." Benjamin Healy, The Atlantic Monthly
Review
"[A] superbly crafted book. Lucidly written, often funny, it offers a penetrating look at our self-obsessed, over-medicalized, enhancement-addicted society." Washington Post
Synopsis
Americans have always Been the world's most anxiously enthusiastic consumers of "enhancement technologies." There is nothing novel about our use of Prozac and Viagra, or in our yearning toward cosmetic surgery and Botox injections, except the names of the drugs and the procedures. With the success of each new medical technology, a familiar pattern of response surfaces: public hand-wringing, an occasional congressional hearing, calls for self-reliance. "We have created in America a culture of drugs." The speaker? Richard Nixon. Better Than Well offers a diagnosis rather than an argument. Why do we feel uneasy about these drugs, procedures, and therapies even while we embrace them? Where do we draw the line between self and society? Why do we seek self-realization in ways so heavily influenced by cultural conformity? This wise, humane, and provocative book traces the fault lines in our peculiarly obsessive pursuit of happiness.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 305-332) and index.
About the Author
Carl Elliott is a professor of bioethics and philosophy at the University of Minnesota. He lives in Minneapolis.
Table of Contents
The perfect voice -- The true self -- The face behind the mask -- The loneliness of the late-night television watcher -- The identity bazaar -- Three ways to feel homesick -- Pilgrims and strangers -- Resident aliens -- Amputees by choice -- Bringing up baby -- Second acts -- Conclusion: the tyranny of happiness.