Increments #78 - What could Karl Popper have learned from Vladimir Nabokov? (w/ Brian Boyd)
Dec 10, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Brian Boyd, a leading expert on Karl Popper and Vladimir Nabokov, shares his insights into these two intellectual giants. He reveals how he discovered Nabokov and examines whether Nabokov had a philosophy. The conversation dives into Nabokov's dual life as a writer and scientist, questioning if he was merely a puzzle creator. Boyd also challenges the significance of an author’s intentions in literary interpretation, highlighting the fascinating interplay between their ideas and how they shaped each other.
01:00:39
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Intellectual Journeys: Nabokov and Popper
02:03 • 20min
Contrasting Personalities: The Duel between Words and Ideas
22:24 • 3min
Nabokov: The Butterfly Scholar
25:28 • 8min
Literary Puzzles and Philosophical Depth
32:58 • 24min
Reflections on Nabokov's Legacy
56:33 • 4min
Art and Illusion
A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation
Sir Ernst Hans Josef Gombrich
In *Art and Illusion*, Ernst Gombrich examines the history and psychology of pictorial representation. He addresses the question of why different ages and nations have represented the visible world in such different ways, using science, psychology, and philosophy. Gombrich introduces the concept of 'schemata,' where artists begin with an idea or concept and adjust it to fit the object being represented. The book delves into the psychology of perception, discussing how artists and viewers interpret visual information and how styles in art have evolved over time. It bridges the gap between science and the humanities, focusing on the psychological experience of the viewers of art rather than just the artists themselves.
Pale Fire
Mary McCarthy
Vladimir Nabokov
Pale Fire is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov, published in 1962. It consists of a long poem titled 'Pale Fire' by the fictional poet John Shade, along with a foreword, lengthy commentary, and index written by Shade's neighbor and academic colleague, Charles Kinbote. The poem is a masterpiece in heroic couplets, while Kinbote's commentary reveals his own delusional narrative, believing himself to be the exiled king of Zembla. The novel is a brilliant parody of literary scholarship, an experimental synthesis of Nabokov’s talents for both poetry and prose, and is often cited as an example of metafiction and hypertext fiction. It includes profound meditations on death, the afterlife, and the anguish of Kinbote’s madness, as well as the tragic story of Shade’s daughter[2][4][5].
The Open Society and Its Enemies
The Spell of Plato
Karl Popper
Written during World War II and published in 1945, 'The Open Society and Its Enemies' is a seminal work in political philosophy. Karl Popper critiques the theories of teleological historicism espoused by Plato, Hegel, and Marx, arguing that these theories undermine individual freedom and pave the way for authoritarian regimes. The book defends the open society and liberal democracy, emphasizing the importance of critical rationalism, individual freedom, and the ethos of scientific inquiry in politics. It also discusses the challenges facing open societies, including totalitarianism, dogmatism, and relativism, and advocates for a piecemeal approach to social reform.
The Story of a Heart
Rachel Clarke
Nabokov's Pale fire
the magic of artistic discovery
Brian Boyd
On the Origin of Stories: Evolution, Cognition, and Fiction
Brian Boyd
Stalking Nabokov
Brian Boyd
Invitation to a Beheading
Vladimir Nabokov
Vladimir Nabokov's "Invitation to a Beheading" is a surreal and darkly comedic novel that explores themes of absurdity, injustice, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. The story follows Cincinnatus C., a man condemned to death for an unspecified crime, as he awaits his execution in a bizarre and oppressive society. Nabokov's masterful use of language and his creation of a dreamlike atmosphere create a unique reading experience. The novel's exploration of existential themes and its critique of totalitarian regimes continue to resonate with readers. "Invitation to a Beheading" is a testament to Nabokov's literary genius and his ability to blend humor and darkness in a captivating narrative.
The Logic of Scientific Discovery
Karl Popper
Karl Popper's "The Logic of Scientific Discovery" is a highly influential work in the philosophy of science. It critiques the traditional view of scientific method as inductive, arguing instead that scientific knowledge is developed through a process of conjecture and refutation. Popper introduces the concept of falsifiability, suggesting that a scientific theory must be testable and potentially falsifiable to be considered scientific. The book has had a profound impact on the philosophy of science, influencing the way scientists approach the development and testing of theories. It remains a cornerstone of modern epistemology.
Lolita
Vladimir Nabokov
The novel, presented as the posthumously published memoirs of Humbert Humbert, explores themes of obsession, pedophilia, and the manipulation of reality. Humbert, a European intellectual and pedophile, becomes infatuated with Dolores Haze, whom he kidnaps and sexually abuses after marrying her mother. The narrative delves into the complex and disturbing relationship between Humbert and Lolita, highlighting issues of morality, solipsism, and the erasure of Lolita's independent identity. The book is known for its eloquent but deceptive narrator and its exploration of delusion, coercion, and cruelty.
Ada
Vladimir Nabokov
Ada is a complex and sprawling novel by Vladimir Nabokov, known for its intricate plot, playful use of language, and exploration of themes of memory, identity, and time.
Where do you arrive if you follow Vaden's obsessions to their terminus? You arrive at Brian Boyd, the world expert on the two titanic thinkers of the 20th century: Karl Popper and Vladimir Nabokov.
Boyd wrote his PhD thesis on Nabokov's 1969 novel Ada, impressing Nabokov's wife Vera so much that he was invited to catalogue Nabokov's unpublished archives. This led to Boyd's two-volume biography of Nabokov, which Vera kept on her beside table. Boyd also developed an interest in Popper, and began research for his biography in 1996, which was then promptly delayed as he worked on his book, On The Origin of Stories, which we [dedicated episode #50]((https://www.incrementspodcast.com/50) to.
In this episode, we ask Professor Boyd to contrast and compare his two subjects, by addressing the question: What could Karl Popper have learned from Vladimir Nabokov?
We discuss
- How Brian discovered Nabokov
- Did Nabokov have a philosophy?
- Nabokov's life as a scientist
- Was Nabokov simply a writer of puzzles?
- How much should author intentions matter when interpreting literature?
References
- Boyd's book on the evolutionary origins of art and literature: On the Origin of Stories: Evolution, Cognition, and Fiction
- Our episode on the above
- Stalking Nabokov, by Boyd.
- Boyd's book on Pale Fire: Nabokov's Pale Fire: The Magic of Artistic Discovery
- AdaOnline, annotated notes on Ada by Boyd.
- Art historian and one of Popper's close friends, Ernst Gombrich # Errata
- The Burghers of Calais is by Balzac rather than Rodin
- The Nabokov family fled Leningrad rather than Petrograd (as Petersburg had become during WWI).
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Do you love words, or ideas? Email us one but not the other at incrementspodcast@gmail.com.
Special Guest: Brian Boyd.