Finding a Replacement for the Soul : Mind and Meaning in Literature and Philosophy

Rating:
Summary: a journey of its own kind
Review: I came across this book through some rather chancy events, and was extremely delighted about the find. If you would be perplexed that you could only see the frame of and the reflections in a mirror but not the mirror itself, this is a book for you. It portrays the mirror yet in the meantime explains the difficulty in doing so, and explores the many inherent imperfections in such reflections, all in a cognitive rather than optical context. It uses the understanding of literature as a model to explain the interactions, and the mechanisms of such, among and between our minds, our descriptions, and the world. Meanwhile, it discusses how our minds and our descriptions trnasform through such interactions. The world it concerns is broad, both external and internal to ourselves and could encompass domains divine, natural, or human. The book elucidates concepts that I previously thought could only be felt rather than perceived, let alone put down in words. In my view, this is accomplished through brave and honest reflections, extraordinary clarity in reasoning, and non-pretentious presentations. The work is artistic in its rendition yet in a sense "scientific" in its precision. The theses are novel, intriguing, and insightful -- yet built at a comfortable pace on solid foundations and therefore very approachable. The topics of philosophy, literature, and ethics are woven seamlessly into a fabric of brilliance and tension. The arguments are original and tight, logically developed and clearly articulated to support conclusions that are declaratory yet non-esoteric and non-imposing. The style is personal like a chat with close friends by the fireside. The end result? I found myself left with more clarity yet more curiosity in the topics presented. As the topics are intrinsically connected with the mystery of our humanhood, the experience can be rather intense -- this book does teach, but even more it leads, from a close distance that is non-intrusive yet powerful. I was filled with anticipations from just reading the preface alone, and such anticipations were then fulfilled through the magical touches throughout the book, which brought about a unique blend of satisfaction, challenge, and confidence.