Why Grow Up?

“Exemplary and unusual . . . [Why Grow Up? is] a case for philosophy of an admirably old-fashioned kind.”—A.O. Scott, The New York Times Book Review

“Susan Neiman's Why Grow Up is a spirited defence of the aspiration to maturity. As she sagely observes, by clinging impotently to youth, we impoverish youth and maturity alike . . . So how, when the force of an entire culture seems to be ranged against maturity, can we make a serious case for growing up? The question takes Neiman to debates at the heart of Enlightenment moral philosophy . . . Neiman is an impassioned and lucid expositor of some very recondite concepts, with that rare ability . . . to convey the continued relevance and urgency of philosophy for our distracted times.”—Josh Cohen, The Guardian

“An excellent work of popular, applied philosophy. Parts are as thought-provoking as reading Kant himself—and a damned sight easier.”—Brandon Robshaw, The Independent

“This elegant and accessible book is the philosophical kick up the arse my generation desperately needs.”—Tom Slater, Spiked

"To the barricades, armed with reason: Susan Neiman makes the case for toppling society's infantilism. Plumbing the depths of philosophy, she has written the most important book of the hour.”—Katrin Schuhmacher, MDR Figaro

“Neiman makes the case not only for thinking but for political engagement. Her passion eliminates any sort of pedantry.”—Birgit Schmidt, Tagesanzeiger

“The way Neiman interprets the Kantian idea of growing up—that of a never-ending task—has something subversive, and that's almost enough to make one young again.”—Peter Praschl, Die Welt

“Accessible philosophy doesn't get much better than this . . . Neiman's sense of humor is a plus, but her greatest strength is her ability to distill centuries of thought to their essence, provoking her readers along the way. Neiman convincingly makes the case that growing up is not tantamount to 'inevitable decline,' and that the hard work to make maturity fulfilling is worth the effort."—Publishers Weekly

“Neiman's view on using philosophy to guide ourselves into adulthood is a wonderful example of how the writings of past philosophers can be applied to our current lives. Her writing is accessible for those without a background in philosophy, and her book is a pleasant introduction to those unfamiliar with Kant and Rousseau.”—Scott Duimstra, Library Journal