Human life? “Solitary, poor, dirty, bestial and short,” wrote philosopher Thomas Hobbes, a pessimist of the classical era. Since then, everything, or almost everything, has changed. Solidarity, abundance and hygiene took over. First of all, existence was no longer brief; a silent but essential revolution had taken place. In 1750, only 7–8% of the French celebrated their 60th birthday. Today, every newborn has a chance to live to be 100 years old. Brückner explores the existential questions raised by the increase in human lifespan. The reflections of a brilliant intellectual will undoubtedly deepen the topic, which is just beginning to be discussed in Russia. Pascal Brückner (b. 1948) is a French philosopher and writer. Laureate of the Medici, Renaudo and Montaigne awards. After receiving a doctorate in French under the supervision of Julia Kristeva, he defended a dissertation on sexual emancipation under the supervision of Roland Barthes. He taught at the Paris Institute of Political Studies and at US universities.