{"product_id":"self-sabotage-how-we-try-not-to-flourish-paperback-softback-9781509573370","title":"Self-Sabotage; How We Try Not to Flourish (Paperback \/ softback) 9781509573370","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eSelf-Sabotage\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eHow We Try Not to Flourish\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eTodd McGowan (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781509573370, Polity Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 3 July 2026\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e144 pages\u003cbr\u003e18.8 x 12.4 x 1.3 cm, 0.159 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"McGowan compellingly urges us to accept that unconscious acts of self-sabotage are not only a universal drive, but also the key to forging creative and emancipatory relationships with the world.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJennifer Friedlander, Pomona College\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSelf-Sabotage\u003c\/i\u003e contends that an unconscious impulse to undermine our own interests plays a dominant role in our lives. The idea of a primary drive to self-destruction is at odds with the prevailing common sense in a world where almost everyone believes that we strive to flourish. Yet often we fail to flourish not because some people are wicked but because the drive to sabotage ourselves outweighs the pleasures of flourishing. Our tendency to self-sabotage distorts our politics, throws off our romantic relationships, and generally makes human existence difficult. It is why we become involved with partners who continually create unhappiness for us, and also why we elect leaders who derail the nation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough the act of self-sabotage is clearly self-destructive, it appeals to us because it has a creative power. Through sacrificing ourselves, we create sublime value in the world. Our willingness to sacrifice our own interest elevates the value of the object we pursue and lifts it out of the realm of the ordinary. Self-sabotage leads to immense amounts of social harm. But at the same time, the tendency to self-destruction provides the basis for our ability to act ethically and surmount social pressure in the name of some higher value.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIntroduction: Self-Interest?\u003cbr\u003e1: The Path to Theory\u003cbr\u003e2: Philosophizing Self-Interest\u003cbr\u003e3: Mein Leibster Feind\u003cbr\u003e4: My Struggle\u003cbr\u003e5: FAFO\u003cbr\u003e6: Slipping on a Banana Peel\u003cbr\u003e7: A Sporting Chance\u003cbr\u003e8: Don't Talk About Self-Destruction\u003cbr\u003eConclusion: Emancipation Through Limits\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Philosophy [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Philosophy\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Philosophy%20%5BHP%5D%22\"\u003eHP\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Polity","offers":[{"title":"Brand New","offer_id":52449461502232,"sku":"9781509573370","price":10.86,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/files\/9781509573370.jpg?v=1785200671","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/self-sabotage-how-we-try-not-to-flourish-paperback-softback-9781509573370","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}