This blog post explores the literary legacy and significance of Josef Kajetan Tyl, a central figure in Czech Romantic literature. Romanticism In the 18th century, the major European nations were dominated by the Enlightenment, a movement that inherited the classicism established in France in the 17th century, while at the same time making reason the sole means of perception. Classicism was...
Book Review – Le Hasard et la Nécessité (Life, Its Ambiguous Definition)
In this blog post, I’ll be discussing Le Hasard et la Nécessité, a philosophical exploration of the boundaries between artifice, nature, and life. The book explains the life sciences, particularly molecular biology, from the perspective of natural philosophy. Chapter 1, “D’étranges objets,” is an introduction that uses logical thinking to explain the distinction between...
Why do we still believe in water animation?
In this blog post, the final chapter of Le Hasard et la Nécessité explores the human psychology of why we continue to believe in vitalism in an age of science. Le Hasard et la Nécessité Chapter 9: The Kingdom and the Maw of Darkness In the final chapter, titled “The Kingdom and the Fall of Darkness,” Jacques Monod emphasizes the need to accept our situation in the world, which has been...
Can all human behavior be determined by genes?
This blog post examines theories arguing that human behavior is determined by genes, focusing on Richard Dawkins’ theory of the selfish gene, and discusses its limitations and counterarguments. Our lives have always been, and always will be, determined solely by genes. Everything we thought we chose by our own will was actually manipulated by the genes inside my body. We are merely...
On the Origin of Species (Survival of the Fittest: Is It the Principle of All Life’s Evolution?)
In this blog post, we examine Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest through ‘On the Origin of Species’ and discuss whether evolution remains a valid principle for life’s evolution. ‘On the Origin of Species’ is the book containing Darwin’s theory that all living things evolve according to the principle of survival of the fittest. The publication of this book, which...
The Metamorphosis (How Does Human Existence Change in Capitalist Society?)
This blog post examines the impact of capitalist society on human existence through Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, discussing the constraints and social alienation humans face. Reading The Metamorphosis, I couldn’t help but reflect on the organic connection between the shackles of freedom and human alienation. We live in a liberal democratic society where all opportunities...
Beccaria’s Theory of Punishment: How Can Human Freedom Be Safeguarded?
This blog post explores the purpose and social role of punishment through Beccaria’s theory of punishment, offering insights into how human freedom can be safeguarded. Published in 1764, Cesare Beccaria’s ‘On Crimes and Punishments’ caused a great stir. European intellectual society was captivated by its logical and novel arguments concerning punishment. Faithfully responding...
‘Les Misérables’ and Victor Hugo’s Literary World
‘Les Misérables’ and Victor Hugo’s literary world is an epic work encompassing themes of love, justice, salvation, and revolution. This masterpiece of 19th-century French literature embodies Victor Hugo’s life and philosophy. Victor Hugo: A Journey Through Life and Literature Victor Hugo was born on February 26, 1802, in Besançon. Following his father, a general under Napoleon...
What lessons does Arnold J. Toynbee’s theory of civilization offer modern society?
This blog post examines Arnold J. Toynbee’s theory of civilization and discusses how his ‘Challenge and Response’ theory can be applied in modern society. British historian Arnold J. Toynbee, in publishing ‘A Study of History’, established civilization—not the nation-state—as the fundamental unit of historical inquiry. He argued that even though Britain was geographically separated...
Why did Franz Kafka strip the doctor naked and throw him into a blizzard?
This blog post explores the metaphors of the unconscious and desire in Kafka’s literature through a psychoanalytic lens, focusing on ‘A Country Doctor’. Beginning with the line “He was extremely perplexed,” this story is actually more perplexing for readers. Its dreamlike, surreal narrative unfolds in a way that defies comprehension. Imaginary beings suddenly appear, and strange...