#2193 - Jack Symes

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.

Ian Kershaw's 'Hitler: A Biography' is an abridged version of his two-volume series, 'Hitler: 1889-1936 Hubris' and 'Hitler: 1936-1945 Nemesis'. The book provides a detailed and nuanced portrait of Adolf Hitler, from his origins as a failed artist in Vienna to his final days in the Berlin bunker. Kershaw draws on a wide range of sources, including previously untapped materials like Goebbels's diaries, to explore Hitler's rise to power and the societal conditions that facilitated it. The biography emphasizes Kershaw's 'Working towards the Führer' theory, which suggests that Hitler's subordinates often took initiative to fulfill his broadly outlined wishes, leading to radicalization and atrocities. The book also critically evaluates the complex character of Hitler and the broader historical context of Nazi Germany.

In 'The Will to Believe,' William James defends the idea that, in certain cases, it is rational to adopt a belief without prior evidence of its truth. The central essay argues that faith can be justified even in the absence of evidence, particularly in matters of religious belief. James also discusses other philosophical topics such as causality, free will, and the importance of individual action in society. The book is part of 'The Works of William James' series and includes an introduction by Edward H. Madden.

Published in 1859, 'On Liberty' is a seminal work by John Stuart Mill that argues for the protection of individual freedoms from the tyranny of the majority and government interference. Mill uses utilitarian philosophy to justify the value of liberty, emphasizing the importance of freedom of thought, discussion, and action. He introduces the 'harm principle,' which states that individuals should only be restrained from acting when their conduct may harm others. The essay is structured into five chapters, each addressing different aspects of liberty, including the liberty of thought and discussion, individual liberty, the limits of authority, and practical applications of his theories. Mill argues that protecting individual liberties is essential for societal progress and the avoidance of social stagnation.

Ian Kershaw's 'Hitler: A Biography' is an abridged version of his two-volume series, 'Hitler: 1889-1936 Hubris' and 'Hitler: 1936-1945 Nemesis'. The book provides a detailed and nuanced portrait of Adolf Hitler, from his origins as a failed artist in Vienna to his final days in the Berlin bunker. Kershaw draws on a wide range of sources, including previously untapped materials like Goebbels's diaries, to explore Hitler's rise to power and the societal conditions that facilitated it. The biography emphasizes Kershaw's 'Working towards the Führer' theory, which suggests that Hitler's subordinates often took initiative to fulfill his broadly outlined wishes, leading to radicalization and atrocities. The book also critically evaluates the complex character of Hitler and the broader historical context of Nazi Germany.

Published in 1942, 'The Stranger' tells the story of Meursault, a Frenchman living in Algiers, who is characterized by his emotional detachment and apathy. The novel begins with Meursault's indifferent reaction to his mother's death and follows his journey through a series of events, including a senseless murder, which leads to his trial and sentencing. Camus uses Meursault's story to illustrate his philosophy of the absurd, highlighting the lack of inherent meaning in life and the importance of accepting and living with this reality. The novel also explores the tensions between French colonialists and native Algerians, reflecting Camus's own experiences and critiques of colonialism.

In 'The Fall', Albert Camus explores themes of guilt, judgment, and the human condition through the narrative of Jean-Baptiste Clamence. Clamence, a self-proclaimed 'judge-penitent', recounts his life as a successful but hypocritical lawyer in Paris. His story is marked by a pivotal event where he failed to act when a woman jumped to her death from a bridge, leading to a deep sense of guilt and existential despair. Through his monologues, Clamence delves into the complexities of human nature, the inevitability of judgment, and the universal guilt that underlies human existence. The novel is set against the backdrop of Amsterdam and reflects on the broader implications of World War II and the Holocaust, inviting readers to confront their own moral failings and the inherent hypocrisy in human behavior.

In 'The Outsider,' Colin Wilson examines the psyche of the Outsider through the lives and works of various literary and cultural figures such as Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Hermann Hesse, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The book delves into the Outsider's experience of dislocation and his struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems devoid of it. Wilson argues that the Outsider is a metaphysical man who seeks a transcending meaning and purpose for human existence, often feeling isolated and disconnected from society. The book is both a study of the Outsider's predicament and an impassioned call for a new form of existentialism that could provide a satisfying and objective religious understanding of life.

In *Utopia for Realists*, Rutger Bregman argues that visionary ideas, often considered utopian, can be implemented to create a more equitable and productive society. He advocates for a universal basic income, a shorter workweek of 15 hours, and open borders. Bregman supports these ideas with historical examples, such as Richard Nixon's proposed basic income and the successful Mincome project in Canada, as well as current data and academic studies. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to dream big and strive for a better future.

In 'The Myth of Sisyphus', Albert Camus delves into the concept of the absurd, which arises from the conflict between humanity's desire for meaning and the apparent indifference of the universe. Camus argues that this absurdity does not justify suicide but rather requires a revolt against it. He introduces Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology condemned to eternally push a boulder up a mountain only for it to roll back down, as the ideal absurd hero. Camus suggests that Sisyphus's acceptance of his fate and his continued effort to push the boulder up the mountain, despite its futility, exemplify the human condition and the possibility of finding happiness in the face of absurdity. The essay also discusses other examples of absurd lives and includes an appendix on the works of Franz Kafka.

This book, written by John M. Allegro, argues that Christianity originated from an Essene clandestine cult centered around the use of psychedelic mushrooms. Allegro suggests that the stories of early Christianity and the New Testament are coded records of this shamanistic cult, and that the authors of the Christian gospels misunderstood the Essene thought. The book explores the role of ancient fertility cults, cultic rites and symbols, and the sacred mushroom as an emblem of divinity. The 40th anniversary edition includes a 30-page addendum by Carl Ruck.

The book is divided into four parts. The first part addresses the world as representation, the second details the world as will, the third discusses art and beauty as the only way to transcend the painful human condition, and the fourth discusses ethics and the ascetic ideal. Schopenhauer argues that the will is the underlying reality of the world, beyond mere appearances, and that it is characterized by ceaseless striving and suffering.

In this book, Steven Pinker presents a detailed argument that violence has significantly decreased over the course of human history. He uses extensive data and statistical analysis to demonstrate this decline in various domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, and the treatment of children, homosexuals, animals, and racial and ethnic minorities. Pinker identifies four key human motivations – empathy, self-control, the moral sense, and reason – as the 'better angels' that have oriented humans away from violence and towards cooperation and altruism. He also discusses historical forces such as the rise of the state (which he terms 'Leviathan'), the spread of commerce, the growth of feminist values, and the expansion of cosmopolitanism, which have contributed to this decline in violence.

In *Beast and Man*, Mary Midgley challenges traditional philosophical views by highlighting the similarities between humans and other animals. She argues that human behavior is rooted in biological and evolutionary factors, similar to those of other species. The book critiques reductionist and existentialist theories, advocating for a more holistic understanding of human nature and its place within the natural world.

In 'Real Materialism and Other Essays', Galen Strawson presents a comprehensive exploration of various philosophical themes, including the place of mind in the physical world, self-consciousness, and the concept of free will. The book challenges conventional materialism by advocating for a form of realistic materialism that integrates experiential phenomena into a physical framework. Strawson's essays offer a contrarian perspective on widely-held views in the philosophy of mind, encouraging readers to rethink fundamental assumptions about consciousness and reality.

In 'The Art of Losing Control', Jules Evans delves into the concept of ecstasy, exploring how people achieve transcendent states through experiences like psychedelics, charismatic Christianity, and artistic expression. The book balances personal narratives with philosophical insights, highlighting the potential benefits and risks of ego-loss in Western culture. Evans argues that embracing both rationality and ecstasy can lead to a more fulfilling life.

In 'The Absurd,' Thomas Nagel discusses the absurdity of human existence, arguing that it stems from our ability to view our lives from an external perspective, recognizing the arbitrariness of our goals and values. Nagel suggests that humor and irony are appropriate responses to this absurdity, rather than despair or defiance.

This work examines the historical dynamics of bison and their role in Native American diplomacy and ecology. It discusses how bison influenced the interactions between Native American tribes and European settlers in the Southern Plains from 1800 to 1850.

In 'The Spiritual Nature of Man', Sir Alister Hardy presents a comprehensive study of religious and spiritual experiences, emphasizing the importance of integrating these aspects into a broader understanding of human nature. Hardy argues that consciousness is a fundamental attribute of life and that spiritual experiences are part of the natural world, advocating for an expanded naturalism that includes both material and non-material aspects of reality.