Leo Tolstoy's 'Family Happiness' is a novella that explores themes of love, family, and the search for meaning in life. The story follows a young woman's journey of self-discovery as she navigates new relationships and experiences. Through her engagement with various artistic activities, she gains a deeper understanding of love and its multifaceted nature. The novella's simple yet profound narrative reveals the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate experiences, highlighting the unifying power of love and the search for meaning. Tolstoy's masterful storytelling creates a poignant and insightful exploration of human relationships and the complexities of life.
Written by Thornton Wilder, 'Our Town' is a classic American play that delves into the everyday lives of the residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire. The play is divided into three acts, each focusing on different aspects of life: daily routines, love and marriage, and death. The Stage Manager guides the audience through the narrative, highlighting the universal themes of human existence. The play is notable for its minimalist staging and its emphasis on the importance of appreciating the details and interactions of everyday life. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1938 and has become one of the most performed American plays of the 20th century.
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Is art moral? Why was Plato censorious of art? Does art have a political function? How is art educational? Should art and philosophy be combined? What is the difference between art and entertainment? Is art about individual or communal expression? How is art related to what John calls ‘dialogos’?
Here we continue to ‘reinventio’—the latin word which means to both invent and discover— perennial and popular subjects. We discuss the purpose and function of art from various perspectives: John from the point of view of cognitive science and philosophy, Christopher from the point of view theater and narrative, and Andrew as a songwriter. We concluded that art is about process rather than product, and that the good art leans towards religious experience.
John Vervaeke is a professor at the University of Toronto and the creator of the popular online YouTube Series ‘Awakening from The Meaning Crisis’, which is a rich feast of cognitive science, philosophy, religion, and the history of ideas. What makes Vervaeke special in my opinion is the breadth of his work, but his courage descend the ivory tower and talk to people ‘on the street’—and to exemplify his ideas. His hero is Socrates, and he embodies the living dialogue and courage that Socrates represents.
I was first introduced to Christopher Mastropietro by Peter Limberg for his series on Letter.com. Christopher is John Vervaeke’s writing and research partner and co-author of ‘Zombies in Western Culture: A Twentieth Century Crisis’. A great book which I have used for undergraduate classes in Paris. Chris is among other things an amazing wordsmith who writes and speaks like an 19th Century Henry James/Herman Melville!
Links:
Impossible conversations with Christopher Mastropeitro
Other conversations with John Vervaeke and friends
John Vervaek’s Awakening from the Meaning Crisis
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Intro music: Beautiful Machines by Andrew Sweeny
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