Phil in the Details

In this episode, we look at the second half of Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet with specific focus on some of the greater mistakes of reasoning made by Ransom throughout the text--specifically, his inability to rectify in his mind the fact that three species can exist in cohabitation without a forced power structure. We look at the philosophies of Aristotle and Aquinas, some more on memory as we return a bit to Paul Ricoeur and Plato as well. The episode sets up a discussion of Lewis's criticism of man, and some environmental philosophy as well!

In this second episode of the series, we look at a bit more of Lewis's philosophy (with even still more Tolkien!) from his work, Mere Christianity, in particular on the necessity of free will and the problem of Evil. This is then taken to the text of Out of the Silent Planet and the way it investigates Christian notions of Goodness and Sin. Finally, we look at less religious philosophies and their role on memory, a dominant theme in the novel,. particularly in its contrast to the philosophies of David Hume.

In this new series, I'll investigate the first of the science-fiction trilogy by C.S. Lewis, called Out of the Silent Planet--a good little exploration into metaphysical and linguistic themes through the mid-century modern lens of Christianity. In this first episode, I discuss the roll of fantasy through Tolkien's "On Fairy Stories" as his friendship impressed upon Lewis's christian works, along with the roll of 'aporia' in learning, shown by the main character, Ransom.

In this episode, I look at poetry about "America" from a multiplicity of sources--the Romantics, the Beat Generation, the Harlem Renaissance, and recently produced music. Then, the commentary on American society is applied through a discussion of being definer versus being defined recently explored in the chapters of Beloved, Book II. 

The final episode of the series, next week, will look at the final book (III) of Beloved, with discussion of the ethics of story telling in and outside of one's cultural heritage.

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In a short "Where are They Now?" segment, I return to wrap-up some important narratives, including Lucy and Walter, while also looking at the relationship of Elinor and Webley as it presents a pawn in the chess match against God being played all novel by Spandrell. 

This episode sets up the final chapter, where extensive analysis of Huxley's point will be concluded. Tune in next week for a conversation between me and my husband about the ending of the book, and what it means to us... and what we're still arguing about.

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This episode focuses on the issue of defining art and its experience, introducing some of the thoughts and philosophies of Tom Wolfe in his Painted Word and John Dewey in his Art as Experience. Also included are some ideas shared by my current students on defining 'art' and what types of things are considered are for what reasons. I then look at the issue of 'beauty' in aesthetics through some specific works, including Beloved, which rides the line of beauty and the horrible, and whether or not understanding is necessary to experience in art.

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Hold onto your seats--this one is intense. I start with the famous rant by Rampion on page 300 of Point Counter Point, "Idiots and Machines" and connect to the various related philosophies and literary pieces alluded throughout the series, Erich Fromm's Sane Society, Camus' "Myth of Sisyphus" and more of Huxley's philosophies through his final novel, Island. I also introduce-- in a very reductive way--the dialectical model of Hegel's Phenomenology and its relation to the intellectual breakthroughs of Philip's Notebook. 

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In this episode, I introduce the theory of ethical criticism through some of my favorite contemporary thinkers in Wayne Booth and Martha Nussbaum. I then get at the heart of the major reveal that ends the first book of Morrison's Beloved, addressing the ability--or inability--to pass ethical judgment on the moment through any of the standard meta-ethical approaches. 

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In this episode, I deeply digest the characterization of probably Huxley's most complex character in Point Counter Point: Maurice Spandrell. Defending him against the unjust critics of the 60s and 70s, I argue against the Oedipus-complex Freudian psychoanalytic label, the Nihilist label, and instead situate him where I firmly believe he should be: Kierkegaard's "demonic." No wonder he's always so 'anxious' to prove himself to Rampion! Lots of different philosophies in this one, so please take a look at the resources posted below, including a paper I wrote, myself, on Kierkegaard's Philosophical Fragments with more information about the moment of paradox and the 'leap of faith.' 

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In this third episode of the series, I look at chapters 9-14 of Morrison's Beloved, in conjunction with just some fantastic Harlem Renaissance poems, the dreams of Americans, and the problems with an existential view of freedom for those who aren't nearly as free. Some references in here to T.S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men," Gatsby, Death of a Salesman, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Absurdism, and the philosophies of Søren Kierkegaard.

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