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WEIRD PHILOSOPHY...

( > 120,000 words )

Nothing on this site, it should be realised, can be taken as reliable, accurate or true – nor, though, can it be taken as unfounded or wrong. And it’s not intended necessarily to be taken seriously either, nor lightly – but if it stimulates thought, and entertains, then its aims have been met.

To repeat what I’ve said elsewhere: everything on this site is written by me except where I’ve used quotes or otherwise made clear that it’s nicked. I’m not into plagiarism – what’s to be gained? But when I quote or paraphrase I do endeavour to explain or show what I’ve done.

So just click around…

(This page contains summaries of only a selection of articles - not all of them)

 

....... great minds

Chomsky +

In his own succinct words: the importance of anarchy, and the facism of business. Followed by my little Q & A 'The Great Fraud' (524 words)

 

Sartre

Where I question the authenticity of Sartre's: 'Man is condemned to be free'. (1779 words)

 

Camus

A rarely acknowledged consequence of Camus' 'Revolt' - the most uplifting philosophy of all time, developed and written as a youth growing-up on the wild sun-baked coast of Algeria. This essay begins by examining the nature of 'revolt' - and observes too the creative aspiration of, for one, Dostoyevsky. (3313 words)

 

Kerouac

KEROUAC, SAROYAN, KAZANTZAKIS, VONNEGUT - these amazing people all have their say here in relation to the idea of 'revolt' above all - but together with vitality and purpose, the legacy of their work and lives shines inexorably through for posterity. (2399 words)

Neill

The truly remarkable practical-psychologist of the twentieth century - and beyond; who, like present day Camila Batmanghelidjh (founder of 'Kids' Company'), understood reality and rejected orthodoxy and myth in an attempt to free the world of the perennial confusion, animostity and misery that the majority of children suffer under the vicious heel of an inhuman 'moral' Establishment. (2258 words)

 

Capote

This is more about books and writing, especially first works, than purely an examination of Truman Capote. (2290 words) Continued in 'Impressions' (4603 words)

 

Moravia

The forgotten genius of narrative flow and stream-of-consciousness writing. (1577 words)

 

Dostoyevsky

A small token of appreciation for the greatest ever writer. (2700 words)

 

Kafka

An attempt to get at the nub of Kafka's crucial perspective on the universe and the mystery that surrounds his work. (2416 words)

 

Hesse

A true pilgrim of life, who through the pathos of the most elegant prose articulated perhaps the most penetrating and revealing philosophy ever to challenge all Establishments - asking, above all, 'Who should we obey?' - and leaving us in no doubt of the answer. (2353 words)

 

Sagan

Anthropologist, cosmologist, writer, philosopher, advisor to US and Russian governments, advocator of social justice, peace, love and spiritual frienship between nations and individuals alike - arch-critic of myth, humbug, religious bigotry and the wealth of harmful fraudulent philosophical propaganda that's shoved down children's throats the world over. (2833 words)

 

Asimov

Probably the most prolific and intellectually astute Science (and Science Fiction) writer ever - and one who demonstrates an intimate understanding of social issues too. A writer of almost unbounded imaginative facility, and the ability to articulate, for instance, the workings of the atom or the universe to an average seven-year-old. (4722 words)

 

Pinter . . . (Nobel Lecture +)

Following a discussion on heroes, I describe how and why Harold Pinter's important work, especially his supremely articulate and unreserved attack on contemporary US/UK politicians for the immense crimes they are currently engaged in - which, like John Pilger, he calls: 'Blatant State terrorism' - has impressed me (and doubrtless millions of others) for its brave and inherently scathing focus on those crimes. (1120 words)

 

perceptions

THE MASTER GAME

ENGAGE now and LIVE! This is your key to the GREAT ENTERPRISE - to which, I contend, Kafka referred in the latter pages of his 'Amerika'. All who embark on this quest will find that life presents a thrilling prospect - with ups and downs, certainly, but which all-the-same is eminently worthwhile... The alternative is not worthy of us, for as Nietzsche is reputed to have said: 'He who stares too long into the abyss ends up falling into it.' - well, he should know! (though he wrote that, of course, before taking the plunge he warned of - so I suppose he was quite a prophet too). (1228 words)