Books matching: human existence and suffering
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- #1
Save:Desolation Angels by Jack Kerouac is a book that delves into the spiritual life of the Beat Generation, capturing the essence of solitude, travel, and friendship through poetic and lyrical prose. The narrative follows Kerouac's alter ego, Jack Duluoz, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, struggling with Buddhism and balancing his desire for contemplation with his sociability and rising fame. The book documents his experiences as a fire lookout in the North Cascades, his time in San Francisco with the Beats, and his travels to Mexico, Morocco, Europe, and back to America, painting a vivid picture of the era and Kerouac's spiritual quest.
Those afternoons, those lazy afternoons, when I used to sit, or lie down, on Desolation Peak, sometimes on the alpine grass, hundreds of miles of snowcovered rock all around, looming Mount Hozomeen on... 'The World as Will and Representation, Vol. 2' by Arthur Schopenhauer delves into the philosophical exploration of human existence, suffering, and the nature of reality. The book presents Schopenhauer's intricate ideas on the insatiable will that drives all living beings, the concept of striving and endless dissatisfaction, and the affirmation of life through various means like sexual intercourse. Schopenhauer's writing style is characterized by deep philosophical reflections on the human condition, the essence of existence, and the interplay between reason and emotions.
In endless space countless luminous spheres, round each of which some dozen smaller illuminated ones revolve, hot at the core and covered over with a hard cold crust; on this crust a mouldy film has p...- #3
Save:'The Sickness Unto Death' by Søren Kierkegaard delves into the complex themes of despair, faith, and identity. Through deep reflections on the nature of despair and its relationship to human psychology and faith, Kierkegaard challenges readers to confront their own existence and the concept of self. Drawing on spiritual and existential perspectives, the book explores the idea of the self as a conscious synthesis of infinitude and finitude, with a key emphasis on the role of faith in resolving contradictions and achieving self-realization. Kierkegaard uses biblical references, such as the story of Lazarus, to provoke thought and introspection on the human condition.
Kierkegaard's writing style in 'The Sickness Unto Death' is described as profound, complex, and thought-provoking by readers. While some find the book difficult to read and comprehend at first, others appreciate the depth of his insights and the way he challenges traditional beliefs and philosophical concepts. Through a blend of philosophy, spirituality, and existentialism, Kierkegaard presents a unique perspective on sin, redemption, and the evolving nature of the self, making the book a profound exploration of human identity and its relation to faith.
Despair is a sickness of the spirit, of the self, and so can have three forms: being unconscious in despair of having a self (inauthentic despair), not wanting in despair to be oneself, and wanting in... David Benatar's book 'Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence' presents a thought-provoking argument against procreation and advocates for antinatalism. Benatar explores the concept of asymmetry between pleasure and pain, emphasizing that non-existence is preferable to existence due to the inherent suffering in human life. Through logical reasoning and scientific evidence, he challenges the traditional views on life, reproduction, and the morality of bringing new beings into the world. The book delves into topics such as the inevitability of death, the consequences of reproduction, and the delusion of optimism that blinds humans to the harsh realities of existence.
Sigmund Freud describes this quip as a `nonsensical joke',3 which raises the question whether my view is similarly nonsensical. Is it sheer drivel to say that coming into existence is a harm and thus ...- #5
Save:'The Sunset Limited' by Cormac McCarthy is a thought-provoking piece centered around a dialogue between two characters, Black and White, with opposing beliefs about religion and life. The book delves into deep conversations about faith, the meaning of life, and the human condition. Written in a play format, the story explores themes of existentialism, nihilism, faith, and the complexities of human nature through the interactions between the two characters.
This is a room in a tenement building in a black ghetto in New York City. There is a kitchen with a stove and a large refrigerator. A door to the outer hallway and another presumably to a bedroom. The... 'The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect' by Roger Williams is a thought-provoking science fiction novel that explores the consequences of a supercomputer, Prime Intellect, granting humans their every desire and preventing death. The story delves into the ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions that arise from Prime Intellect's omnipotence, as well as the psychological impact on individuals living in a world where all their wishes are instantly fulfilled. The narrative unfolds through a combination of graphic violence, allegorical elements, and a fast-paced plot that keeps readers engaged until the satisfying climax.
In the first place she was the thirty-seventh oldest living human being. Caroline herself was unimpressed by this fact. To her way of thinking it was the result of an accident, nothing more. In any ca...- #7
Save:'The Secret of Ventriloquism' by Jon Padgett is a collection of short stories that delve into themes of misanthropy, free will, industrialization, and the mysteries of ventriloquism. The stories are unsettling, stimulating, and darkly funny, creating a mysterious and apocalyptic mythos that connects them in a fictional geography filled with thick smogs, dream logic, and the horrors of 'greater ventriloquism'. Padgett's writing style ranges from mood pieces to vivid character-driven narratives, all contributing to an escalating feeling of unease and malaise, making this book a masterful example of weird horror fiction.
“Sam wants you dead,” he whispered in my ear one day at our grandmother’s house. My brother had received a pellet gun—a Crosman 760 Powermaster—for his twelfth birthday. Soon after our arrival, I watc...
