Review of The Evolution of Life Worth Living: Why we choose to live

Soper’s pain-brain theory, based on evolutionary biology, represents a provocative breakthrough for both suicidology and positive psychology. The main thesis of the book is that evolved way choosing to live rather than die in face unbearable suffering develop zest happiness meaning. His new theory can be summed up by two-by-two matrix “pain-type” versus “brain-type” reducing pain, “keeper” “fender” levels protecting us from suicide. My critique brain pain distinction confusing because center all functions needed reduce keep alive. Similarly, his football metaphor two defense(“keeper” “fender”) incomplete best defense offence, when good last line quickly turned into offence. Therefore, more fluid conceptualizing this may dialectically interactive dual systems life protection (Yin) expansion strategies (Yang) (Wong, 2012). similar Wong’s general existential psychology flourishing through 2020a, 2021a). Both approaches emphasize centrality posit whether results mental illness suicide or health depends we have wisdom soul necessary social support.