Yes, this post speaks well to what we’ve become. I’m reminded of Iain McGilchrist book, The Matter with Things. The modern mind is too controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain and we don’t use or know how to use the right hemisphere, perhaps losing the ability. Iain McGilchrist believes our left hemisphere way of interpreting the world is destroying ourselves. If you’re not familiar with McGilchrist it’s worthwhile to check him out. He has his own channel on line .
I read this book in high school. It was one of those standard-bearing, orienting books that I used as a guide to life for some time afterwards, as did my friends who were searching the world as I was at that time.
Huxley was such an accessible writer and his broad intellect, open-mindedness, non-judgmental curiosity (especially about drugs and consciousness and the impact of science and technology), and his ability to communicate the extent of his knowledge and reckon comprehensively, in simple terms, with the daunting moment in history in which he wrote, inspired me in a way that few writers I’ve read have. I’ve returned to him many times, read most of his essays and not a few of his novels (which are not as good as his essays, but still markers), and have placed many phrases of his in my pocket for not irregular use when my compass occasionally fails. Thanks for posting this one. It makes me want to read the Perennial Philosophy again.
One of the great minds of the Twentieth Century. His insights ring true in a timeless way. The Doors of Perception, Brave New World, essential reading.
Would only here echo most of what commenters say here, the man being always cherished from the very first contact as an inspiration to question accepted reality and with a warm generosity of spirit (as some says "non-judgemental" and i would say probably just damn good company) yes he made people think and here in this piece it was challenging for me the very shallowest of intellectuals to get head around more than the pitfalls of scientific autocracy within the humanities and the absolute influence (again as mentioned below by one smarter) of the perilous and world-changing hinge-time he came of age intellectually in. When you consider him, Shakespeare, Keats, Orwell, Johnson, Dahl, Austin, Woolfe, Hugo, Waugh, Durrell even et.al you might not entirely regret that the sun never once set on the English Empire. Ok i'm stretching that a bit grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr the mofo's ha
Yes, this post speaks well to what we’ve become. I’m reminded of Iain McGilchrist book, The Matter with Things. The modern mind is too controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain and we don’t use or know how to use the right hemisphere, perhaps losing the ability. Iain McGilchrist believes our left hemisphere way of interpreting the world is destroying ourselves. If you’re not familiar with McGilchrist it’s worthwhile to check him out. He has his own channel on line .
https://unherd.com/2023/05/left-brain-thinking-will-destroy-civilisation/
Thanks, that’s a great article.
You’re welcome. Keep up the fine work. I know Dr. McGilchrist values poetry. I hope he discovers Poetic Outlaws.
"If most of us remain ignorant of ourselves, it is because self-knowledge is painful and we prefer the pleasures of illusion.”
Huxley, as always brilliant.
Thanks for this!
I read this book in high school. It was one of those standard-bearing, orienting books that I used as a guide to life for some time afterwards, as did my friends who were searching the world as I was at that time.
Huxley was such an accessible writer and his broad intellect, open-mindedness, non-judgmental curiosity (especially about drugs and consciousness and the impact of science and technology), and his ability to communicate the extent of his knowledge and reckon comprehensively, in simple terms, with the daunting moment in history in which he wrote, inspired me in a way that few writers I’ve read have. I’ve returned to him many times, read most of his essays and not a few of his novels (which are not as good as his essays, but still markers), and have placed many phrases of his in my pocket for not irregular use when my compass occasionally fails. Thanks for posting this one. It makes me want to read the Perennial Philosophy again.
One of the great minds of the Twentieth Century. His insights ring true in a timeless way. The Doors of Perception, Brave New World, essential reading.
“they turn to such doctrines as nationalism, fascism and revolutionary communism”
Add, as an update, for lack of a better word, wokism.
Great writer and thinker. The Perennial Philosophy, The Doors of Perception, and Brave New World are essential reading!
There was, I think, a crow flying around in Huxley's novel "Brave New World" calling out wherever he flew, "Here and now boys, here and now."
Would only here echo most of what commenters say here, the man being always cherished from the very first contact as an inspiration to question accepted reality and with a warm generosity of spirit (as some says "non-judgemental" and i would say probably just damn good company) yes he made people think and here in this piece it was challenging for me the very shallowest of intellectuals to get head around more than the pitfalls of scientific autocracy within the humanities and the absolute influence (again as mentioned below by one smarter) of the perilous and world-changing hinge-time he came of age intellectually in. When you consider him, Shakespeare, Keats, Orwell, Johnson, Dahl, Austin, Woolfe, Hugo, Waugh, Durrell even et.al you might not entirely regret that the sun never once set on the English Empire. Ok i'm stretching that a bit grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr the mofo's ha
Brilliance
Both the old and new testaments?
Thank you for answering. Am glad they gave you a depth of feeling and connection to claim your life’s purpose.
Not the effect on myself but I am no theologian.