In this blog post, we will examine Max Weber’s thoughts on the meaning of scholarship, the attitude scholars should adopt, and political responsibility, focusing on his seminal lectures “Science as a Vocation” and “The Nation-State and Economic Policy.” What Does Scholarship Mean? This book contains the German sociologist Max Weber’s (1864–1920) seminal lectures, “Scholarship as a Vocation...
Why is Marx’s ‘Wage Labor and Capital’ considered the starting point for understanding the capitalist economy?
In this blog post, we will examine why Marx’s ‘Wage Labor and Capital’ is important for understanding Marxist economics and the structure of capitalist society, covering everything from the historical background of its writing and revisions to its core economic content. An Introductory Text for Understanding the Capitalist Economy When studying Marxist economics, it is almost...
How did Marcel Proust create a literature of memory and time through ‘In Search of Lost Time’?
In this blog post, we will explore Marcel Proust’s life and literary world, and summarize the overall narrative arc of ‘In Search of Lost Time’ as well as the significance of time and memory in ‘Swann’s Way’. What kind of life did Marcel Proust lead? Marcel Proust was born in 1871 in La Fontaine, a suburb of Paris. As a child, Marcel often went for walks with his...
Why did Rousseau seek to find his true self in nature and solitude?
In this blog post, I will examine Rousseau’s literature and philosophy, his attitude toward nature, and his life and literary work—particularly his quest to discover his true self in solitude during his later years—with a focus on ‘The Dream of the Solitary Walker’. 18th-Century French Literature and the Emergence of Rousseau While reading ‘The Dream of the Solitary...
Why Is Rudolf von Jhering’s ‘The Struggle for Law’ Still Read Today?
In this blog post, I will introduce Rudolf von Jhering’s ‘The Struggle for Law (Der Kampf um das Recht)’ and examine its core ideas. The book I reviewed this time is ‘Der Kampf um das Recht’ by Rudolf von Jhering, widely regarded as one of the greatest classics in the history of legal thought. Although many outstanding legal texts have been published to this day...
Why does Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’ remain one of the greatest narratives to this day?
In this blog post, we’ll explore how Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’ conveys timeless insights through its vast narrative and vivid characterizations, focusing on the work’s background, plot, and characters. An Introduction to the Life of Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy was born in 1828 into a distinguished Russian count’s family. Having lost his...
How did Rainer Maria Rilke’s life and literary world unfold?
In this blog post, we’ll provide a chronological overview of Rainer Maria Rilke’s life and literary world. Life and Early Poetry Rainer Maria Rilke gradually embraced the diverse cultures of Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Europe, developing a character as a “pan-European.” Early on, he abandoned a pragmatic, goal-oriented life, withdrew from the tumultuous world, and adopted an...
Who was Rainer Maria Rilke?
In this blog post, we’ll explore Rainer Maria Rilke’s life and the main themes and meanings found in his masterpiece, ‘Letters to a Young Poet’. About the Author Rainer Maria Rilke was born in 1875 in Prague, Czech Republic, which was then under the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His birth name was René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke, but he began using his current...
What Does the Age of Dystopia Tell Us?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the questions this genre raises through the concept and history of dystopia, as well as its most representative works. What Is Dystopia? Dystopia is the opposite of utopia—which means “a place of ideal living”—and refers to a negative and bleak society. While utopia is often likened to heaven, dystopia is closer to hell. The term “dystopia” is a combination...
Why Does “Dracula” Symbolize Humanity’s Supernatural Dreams and Fears?
In this blog post, I’ve explored “Dracula” by focusing on humanity’s age-old dreams and fears regarding supernatural beings—as well as the historical context in which people sought to define such entities as demons and drive them out. The Fear of Ghosts, Even When We Don’t Believe in Them Do you believe that ghosts exist? Probably not many people would openly admit to it. In an era where...