In the October edition of New English Review, our philosophical doctor considers the evolutionary development of a common beetle, the curse of having been informed early of his high intelligence, and the pursuit of the good life.

The question raises that of the good life. What is the proper end for a person to pursue? Does anything actually matter, given the size of the universe, the second law of thermodynamics, the transience of life, the inevitability of death and the infinitude of time?