Peg O'Connor Livres

Addiction and recovery are, at their core, about the meaning of life. Life on the Rocks is the first book to address addiction and recovery from a Western philosophical perspective, offering a powerful set of tools sharpened over millennia. It introduces some of the core concepts and vexing questions of philosophy to help addicts and those affected by their addiction examine and perhaps transform the meaning they make of their lives. Without assuming any familiarity with philosophy, Dr. O’Connor illuminates issues all addicts and their loved ones self-identity, moral responsibility, self-knowledge and self-deception, free will and determinism, fatalism, the nature of God, and their relations to others. Life on the Rocks is an indispensable guide to the deeply philosophical concerns at the heart of every addict’s struggle. Peg O’Connor, PhD , is professor of philosophy and gender, women, and sexuality studies at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. She is the author of the popular Psychology Today blog “Philosophy Stirred, Not Shaken” and contributor to the Pro Talk series at Rehabs.com.

The book challenges the traditional divide between nature and normativity, as well as between the world and language, proposing a new understanding of their relationship. It suggests replacing the metaphor of foundations with one focused on stability, drawing on insights from Wittgenstein and contemporary feminist ethicists. This reassessment of metaethics aims to offer a fresh perspective on ethical discourse and its connections to language and reality.

The workbook encourages self-reflection on personal relationships with alcohol and drugs, emphasizing that only individuals can determine their own issues. It challenges entrenched beliefs about one's identity and potential for change, suggesting that letting go of rigid self-perceptions can open up new avenues for recovery. Highlighting the uniqueness of each recovery journey, it promotes self-knowledge and creativity as essential components of transformation, advocating for a personalized approach to overcoming addiction.