Books matching: metaphysical questions
27 result(s)
A dark, dazzling sampler of one of weird fiction's master stylists - if you love lush language and myth-infused horror, dive right in, but skip if you want straightforward stories or happy endings.
'The Dark Eidolon and Other Fantasies' by S.T. Joshi, Clark Ashton Smith is a collection of short stories, prose poetry, and poetry by the author. The book showcases Smith's dark fantasy fiction style, filled with exotic language, mind-bending locations, and staggering imagination. The stories range from horror to fantasy, with some echoing the cosmic horror genre popularized by Lovecraft. Smith's writing style is described as intricate, complex, and filled with older vocabulary, offering a unique reading experience to those who enjoy delving into the fantastical worlds he creates.
March 2014•401 pages- #2
Save:Aristotle’s 'Metaphysics' isn’t a page-turner, but it’s a must-read for philosophy nerds. Reeve’s translation is highly recommended for its clarity and resources, but be ready for a challenging journey - don’t expect easy answers or breezy prose!
Aristotle's 'Metaphysics' is a monumental work that combines worldbuilding, deep philosophical concepts, and intricate translations. The book is praised for its lucid translation, detailed commentary, and the way it delves into Aristotle's complex ideas. The volume serves as a gateway into ancient philosophy, providing valuable insights into Aristotle's thoughts on metaphysics and natural philosophy.
Aristotle has indicated that wisdom, the highest science, which is the object of philosophy, is a science of causes and principles. In this second chapter he spells out that the causes and principles...1502•507 pages A thoughtful, occasionally dense classic that shines most when contemplating the meaning and impact of modern physics. Essential for science/philosophy enthusiasts - just know it’s a product of its era, best enjoyed with curiosity and patience.
'Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution in Modern Science' by Werner Heisenberg is a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between physics and philosophy. The book delves into the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and relativity, challenging traditional notions of reality and objectivity. Heisenberg skillfully weaves together historical perspectives, scientific theories, and philosophical musings to present a comprehensive view of the evolution of modern science. Through a combination of historical context and theoretical discourse, Heisenberg navigates complex topics such as uncertainty, complementarity, and the limitations of human language in describing quantum phenomena.
January 1958•189 pages- #4
Save:A beautifully strange, mosaic meditation on life, suffering, and meaning, best enjoyed slowly and by those who delight in spiritual and philosophical wandering.
"For the Time Being" by Annie Dillard is a spiritual and philosophical exploration that weaves together insights from various traditions and musings on human existence. The book delves into topics such as birth, death, the role of God, and the impermanence of life, all while maintaining a clear and thought-provoking writing style. Dillard's narrative ruminations touch on the mysteries of existence, drawing inspiration from figures like Jesuit paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and incorporating elements from different spiritual practices.
This photograph shows, for example, the bird-headed dwarfs. They are a brother and sister; they sit side by side on a bed. The boy a blond, is six years old, says the caption, and the girl, brown-hair...1999•224 pages - #5
Save:The Afterlives by Thomas Pierce is a novel that delves into the themes of life, death, and the afterlife through the eyes of the protagonist, Jim Byrd. After a near-death experience, Jim becomes hyper-aware of mortality and embarks on a journey with his wife, Annie, to search for answers about what comes next. The novel weaves together elements of speculative fiction, metaphysics, and love, exploring the existential dread of mortality and the quest for meaning beyond life.
Pierce's writing style in The Afterlives is described as smart, funny, and imaginative, with a focus on the profound aspects of the novel, particularly regarding what happens after death. The narrative skillfully navigates between the mundane activities of daily life and the metaphysical questions surrounding existence, offering a thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the unknown realms beyond.
RARELY DOES HE LINGER at home. He prefers it here, in his furniture store. The good years. The years of plenty. Fatty meals. New suits. He’s standing in the middle of the showroom, surrounded by custo...January 2018•396 pages - #6
Save:Exordia by Seth Dickinson is a complex sci-fi novel that intertwines military action with profound philosophical dilemmas. The story follows Anna, a Kurdish war orphan, who encounters an alien named Ssrin, igniting a quest that explores the ethics of interventionism and the nature of reality through the lens of the infamous trolley problem. As the narrative unfolds, it dives into politics, human morality, and existential threats, revealing layers of atrocity against a backdrop of dark humor and humanity.
The writing style in Exordia is dense and detailed, characterized by crystal-clear prose that effectively conveys intricate concepts and scientific ideas. The book features a rich cast of well-developed characters, though the focus may shift unevenly between them, occasionally losing ground on the more compelling characters like Anna and Ssrin. Despite its complexities and darker themes, Dickinson manages to balance despair with hope, delivering a story that compels readers to reflect on their ethical choices while navigating an unfolding cosmic conflict.
It coils up in the sunlight, fanged and beautiful, eating the turtles who live on the rocks. It tears them in half and plucks the meat from their shells with white-glove hands. There are red stains on... - #7
Save:In "Summerland" by Hannu Rajaniemi, the story unfolds in an alternate 1930s world where the discovery of the afterlife and the development of aetheric technology have transformed Britain and the Soviet Union into great powers. The British secret service operates in both the living world and the afterlife, known as Summerland, creating a spy thriller with ghostly agents and otherworldly tech. The narrative is a mix of espionage and fantasy, with a strong female lead navigating a world where the living and the dead intersect, leading to conflicts that mirror those in the real world. The plot is filled with twists, secrets, and mysteries, keeping readers engaged with its imaginative world-building and unique blend of genres.
The book delves into questions about beliefs regarding the soul, the afterlife, and the ethics of immortality, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of metaphysical concepts. Rajaniemi's writing style combines elements of spy tradecraft with urban fantasy tropes, creating a page-turner that is emotionally and politically complex. The characters, living and dead, are well-developed and the storyline is tight, drawing readers into a world where espionage and supernatural elements intertwine, resulting in a novel that challenges traditional genre boundaries and offers a fresh take on alternate history.
She ran across the gloom of Portland Place towards the gilded mountain of light that was the Langham Hotel. The downpour tore at her hat. Her heels slipped and twisted on the wet pavement. The raindro...2016•314 pages - #8
Save:'The Lost Mind' by Christopher Pike is a gripping teen Horror Thriller Mystery Fantasy novel that follows the story of a girl named Jen who wakes up in the woods next to her dead best friend, Crystal, with no memory of what happened. As Jen tries to unravel the mystery of the murder and prove her innocence, she is faced with a race against time to find the real killer. The narrative delves into themes of amnesia, suspicion, and the search for truth, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with its intricate plot twists and character development.
The writing style of 'The Lost Mind' is praised for its suspenseful and engaging storytelling, with readers highlighting the intense and unpredictable nature of the plot. Christopher Pike skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, metaphysical questions, and unexpected twists, creating a novel that captivates readers from beginning to end.
Carlsrue High was larger than I would have expected, judging by the size of the town. It was located at the edge of the city, bordered on two sides by the same huge tract of woods where I had awakened...August 1995•213 pages - #9
Save:A cerebral, haunting psychological thriller that rewards patient, open-minded readers with its layered mysteries - but its ambiguity and structural quirks aren’t for everyone.
The Glamour by Christopher Priest is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Richard Grey, a BBC cameraman who becomes a victim of a terrorist bomb attack in 1980s London, resulting in memory loss. When a woman named Susan claims to be his girlfriend during the lost period, Richard grapples with the mystery of his past. The novel explores themes of invisibility, memory, and identity through a captivating narrative that weaves fantastical distortions of reality into the plot, challenging the reader's perception of what is real and what is not.
The writing style of The Glamour is described as spellbinding and beautifully written in a clear, unornamented manner. The author skillfully shifts narrative viewpoints, creating a suspenseful and intriguing atmosphere as the story unfolds. With multiple narrators and unreliable perspectives, the novel delves into metaphysical questions about reality, perception, and the nature of storytelling, keeping readers engaged and questioning the boundaries between truth and fiction.
I have been trying to remember where it began, thinking about my childhood and wondering if anything might have happened that made me become what I am. I had never thought much about it before, becaus...1984•259 pages - #10
Save:A thought-provoking, idea-driven sci-fi classic that’s a little dated in execution, but still worth a read for fans of vintage, big-concept speculative fiction.
Ring Around the Sun by Clifford D. Simak is a science fiction novel set in the 1950s that follows the protagonist, Jay Vickers, as he discovers a world filled with fantastic new products and strange occurrences. The book delves into interesting ideas, social commentary, and unpredictable plot twists, all while exploring themes of parallel worlds, mutants, and the concept of multiple dimensions. Simak's workmanlike writing style, blending seamlessly with elements of fantasy, creates a unique adventure that challenges readers to think beyond the surface elements and appreciate the depth of the author's ideas.
He hung up the phone and got the paper off the stoop. At his desk, he laid down the paper and picked up the sheaf of manuscript, holding it in his hand, feeling the thickness of it and the weight of i...1952•241 pages
