Avital Ronell, Cornel West, Judith Butler

Astra Taylor accompanies some of today's most influential thinkers on a series of unique excursions through places and spaces that hold particular resonance for them and their ideas. Peter Singer's th...( read more  read more... )oughts on the ethics of consumption are amplified against the backdrop of Fifth Avenue's posh boutiques. Slavoj Zizek questions current beliefs about the environment while sifting through a garbage dump. Michael Hardt ponders the nature of revolution while surrounded by symbols of wealth and leisure. Judith Butler and a friend stroll through San Francisco's Mission District questioning our culture's fixation on individualism. And while driving through Manhattan, Cornel West-perhaps America's best-known public intellectual-compares philosophy to jazz and blues, reminding us how intense and invigorating a life of the mind can be. Offering privileged moments with great thinkers from fields ranging from moral philosophy to cultural theory, Examined Life reveals philosophy's power to transform the way we see the world around us and imagine our place in it.

Flixster Users

61% liked it

3,447 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

22 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: Astra Taylor

Release Date: February 25, 2009

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DVD Release Date: February 23, 2010

Stats: 63 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (63)


  • November 25, 2009
    Philosophy has had a public relations problem for a few centuries now. It needs to be more is relevant to our daily life. I think we've all had enough of the plethora of self-help material out there.
    In addition, I strongly believe in need to take time to read great philosophers ...( read more)like Sartre, Heidegger, Habermas & Derrida. Even though some of their points of view are quite depressing, we have a lot to learn from them.
  • November 21, 2009
    I wish this film had a trailer...
  • August 7, 2009
    What's philosophy today and how can it encompass our daily lives? Some of today's most influential philosophers will explain it to you in this amazingly indie and extraordinarily well-made film. Strongly recommended to anyone.
  • August 4, 2009
    Mildly interesting, but overall it was a yawn-fest
  • April 3, 2009
    Saw it at the Cinecenta at school. Great production values, subject.
  • March 14, 2009
    http://static6.flixster.com/static/images/done.gif
  • March 11, 2009
    What could be more dull then this. Id rather watch Jaws
  • March 6, 2009
    I might watch this if I hear anything good about it.

Critic Reviews


April 30, 2009
Pete Hammond, Boxoffice Magazine

Yes, examining philosophy for the greater effect it can have is admiral but it seems to get lost as the film jumps from one personality to another. full review

February 25, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Part of the fun of Examined Life comes from watching these very intelligent thinkers try to make themselves intelligible. full review

View more Examined Life reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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