Which is more important, meaning in life, or science? Meaning in life, says "Are You Wonderful?" It guides the reader through scientific discoveries and what we know about ourselves (good science) to understanding how wonderful we really are, and a set of practices based on that for achieving a good life. "Are You Wonderful?" sticks up for common sense--that we have free will and that consciousness can be creative. It argues against the belief that everything we think and do is physically determined (that's the bad science). "Are You Wonderful?" pulls off a rare trick. The argument touches on science, philosophy, reason and history but the steps are presented lightly and engagingly as "magical thinking," a new magic like astrology or alchemy. Science is made to yield new meaning we can apply in our own lives. This new "white" magic is contrasted to dark magics such as material reductionism, all very well in their day but now worn out and due for replacement. This serves to keep the focus on meaning in life instead of "where's your evidence?" challenges from scientists in their ivory towers.
