"It takes courage to base a book on a seeming paradox - that it is only the 'useless' ideas of 'useless old philosophers' that will help us stand firm against the ceaseless tsunami of societal mandates for selfimprovement, with their reality-defying, allegedly 'useful' instructions for achieving happy, healthy, wealthy lives. But as Svend Brinkmann courageously demonstrates in each crisply written gem of a chapter, the paradox is more apparent than real. Brinkmann's ten carefully selected standpoints consist not in the usual how-to-live advice, but rather in the firm foundations for making decisions that can help each of us, in our own unique way, live a life worth living - whatever that may turn out to be. The real paradox, indeed magic, of this book is that Brinkmann turns famous philosophical ponderings into a page-turner. Standpoints is easy and fun to read, all the while breathing new life into the old philosophers who have something new to tell us yet." Barbara S. Held, Barry N. Wish Professor of Psychology and Social Studies Emerita, Bowdoin College.