Descartes said, “I think therefore I am.” Unamuno could be summarized with “I feel therefore I am,” although he didn’t say exactly that. I picked up this book because it was featured heavily in the first season of Star Trek: Picard. SPOILER ALERT. Don’t read further if you haven’t but want to watch it.

Data, an android who spent his life trying to become human, dies in the final episode. He didn’t have to die. He decided to die because humans die. Only then could he become human.

That’s the entire essence of this book. The tragic part of life is that we spend our entire lives fearing and working toward having no end. It’s those emotions about death that ultimately make us human.

I really enjoyed this book. If you’re interested in philosophy or Star Trek, read it.