Does Sherlock Holmes use deduction to solve crimes as is claimed in the stories, or induction which more accurately involves thinking processes to detDoes Sherlock Holmes use deduction to solve crimes as is claimed in the stories, or induction which more accurately involves thinking processes to determine a possible solution? Several philosophers say it's the latter, claiming A.C. Doyles' possible misuse of the wording. Then there is abduction, a third thinking method, which could be used to create new ideas from available clues, a way to think "outside the box" so to speak. I learned this much and more from this book about a literary character I have enjoyed reading about many times over. ...more
While everyone seems to have an opinion about who Henry David Thoreau was, Lawrence Buell makes sure that we can understand that he may have been "allWhile everyone seems to have an opinion about who Henry David Thoreau was, Lawrence Buell makes sure that we can understand that he may have been "all of the above" so to speak. He was a political activist, a natural scientist, a writer, a philosopher, a lecturer, a pencil maker, a tiny house builder, and many more. The big issue seems to be whether Thoreau at some point gave up the life of a transcendentalist seeker and resolved to be student of nature in his later days. Perhaps that wasn't the case. He maintained his search for higher truths throughout his life, no matter what project he had going at any particular time....more
People forget how deeply Thoreau thought about things. They also forget how he believed that experience was a great teacher. He called his experience People forget how deeply Thoreau thought about things. They also forget how he believed that experience was a great teacher. He called his experience at Walden Pond his "experiment", as if to put it into scientific terms. Author Philip Cafaro says, "Thoreau insists that only by trying our ideals in life can we find out whether they are good ideals; only by trying unconventional paths can we know whether they are better than the more conventional ones". (p.223) I had forgotten what a good book this is. I had read it years ago, and only came back to it recently. I'm glad I did....more
This is a good discussion of how people deal with the unexpected death of a close relative, in this case famous writers Emerson, Thoreau, and Wm. JameThis is a good discussion of how people deal with the unexpected death of a close relative, in this case famous writers Emerson, Thoreau, and Wm. James. Resilience seems to be the key to getting lives back on track for these men. ...more
This is one of the better books which use philosophy to analyze literary work, in this case the collection of works by C.S. Lewis called the ChronicleThis is one of the better books which use philosophy to analyze literary work, in this case the collection of works by C.S. Lewis called the Chronicles of Narnia, the most famous of which is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. A collection of scholars review the works by topic, ranging from the problem of evil to the nature of reality, and do it quite successfully. I was intrigued and challenged throughout the book....more
Isaiah Berlin believes that Romanticism had its beginnings in Germany as a response (challenge) to Enlightenment thinking. He makes a good case. But oIsaiah Berlin believes that Romanticism had its beginnings in Germany as a response (challenge) to Enlightenment thinking. He makes a good case. But of course it's more complicated than that. This is an excellent discussion of Romanticism, especially as it shows how it led to other schools of thought such as transcendentalism, idealism, and existentialism....more
Who is the outsider? You may as well ask, Who is a god? Or who is a devil? The outsider may be a real human being or a fictional character. It is the Who is the outsider? You may as well ask, Who is a god? Or who is a devil? The outsider may be a real human being or a fictional character. It is the one who aspires to the intensity of extremes (not extremism as such), beyond the paradigms of conventional understanding, so that real understanding may be revealed. Wilson's book is quite good. I really think he ought to have included Henry David Thoreau, a real outsider of uncommon wisdom....more
Using Thoreau's words from published writings as well as journals Howarth presents an inviting look at outdoor life as it plays out in Thoreau's tripsUsing Thoreau's words from published writings as well as journals Howarth presents an inviting look at outdoor life as it plays out in Thoreau's trips to the mountains of New England. I felt as if I were right there with him hiking to those mountain tops....more
Can Americans get past the failures of the presidency of 2016 to 2020 and forge a new democracy based on principles of equality and justice, respect aCan Americans get past the failures of the presidency of 2016 to 2020 and forge a new democracy based on principles of equality and justice, respect and dignity, as the forefathers envisioned so many years ago? Thoreau says yes, even though he lived and wrote in the mid-1800s. This book takes Thoreau's words and uses them to explain influences in thought and lifestyles, and even ecology that can pertain to today's challenges. ...more
Balance is served. According to this author Thoreau found ways to be objective that would not damage his subjectivity, and vice versa. He knew the difBalance is served. According to this author Thoreau found ways to be objective that would not damage his subjectivity, and vice versa. He knew the difference between being as an integral part of nature and still found ways to stand apart from it. Thoreau could be both poet and scientist, bridging the gap between idealism and factual reality. I like that....more
It seems to me that while perceptions of Thoreau's life and contributions vary greatly and even create opposing opinions it's important to digest it aIt seems to me that while perceptions of Thoreau's life and contributions vary greatly and even create opposing opinions it's important to digest it all and find a kind of balance that Thoreau himself tried to find. Life is not to be understood as living in a cabin in the woods among the trees and the birds. Not is it to be lived in the consumerist treadmill of materialism and superficiality. We need balance....more
Amid this collection of mostly useless information and some questionable literary commentary (especially about Joseph's Campbell's work) there are bitAmid this collection of mostly useless information and some questionable literary commentary (especially about Joseph's Campbell's work) there are bits and pieces of genuine wisdom, mostly from Thoreau....more
This is a refreshing treatment of Thoreau and his work, refreshing to me at least. It pre-dates most of the books I have read about him (1949). It's qThis is a refreshing treatment of Thoreau and his work, refreshing to me at least. It pre-dates most of the books I have read about him (1949). It's quite well-done and well written. It is not a biography: it is an analysis and discussion of Thoreau the "poetic proseman...for whom living was the reception and communication of thoughts." (p. 233) I like that....more
Part history, part sociology, part literary analysis, part philosophy as Lewis Hyde weaves a path through the maze of understanding the culture of givPart history, part sociology, part literary analysis, part philosophy as Lewis Hyde weaves a path through the maze of understanding the culture of giving and receiving gifts. Very well done....more
Did Thoreau like people or not? This author tackles the question with scholarship. Henry David Thoreau was a complex man of emotional contradictions aDid Thoreau like people or not? This author tackles the question with scholarship. Henry David Thoreau was a complex man of emotional contradictions and conflicts, one who needed human relationships but also was apt to find criticisms of human inconsistencies and foibles. Many of us are like this. He wrote about his feelings and insights, and that is why we know him so well....more
I love a good probe into Thoreau's thought life, into his inspirations, into that transcendental world that informed his writings and his life. This bI love a good probe into Thoreau's thought life, into his inspirations, into that transcendental world that informed his writings and his life. This book does just that....more
What should be the pursuit of intellectual inquiry? Ought America adopt a "correct national narrative" (p. 190) in such a way as to breed conformity iWhat should be the pursuit of intellectual inquiry? Ought America adopt a "correct national narrative" (p. 190) in such a way as to breed conformity in thought, with the subsequent growth in American exceptionalism and even nationalism.? Or shall we encourage diversity in order to allow for individualism and nonconformity? This book deals with these and other questions, as it discusses the writings of 19th century writers and thinkers, such as Emerson, Thoreau, James, and Fuller....more
Since I believe in personal philosophy based on transcendent affect I found great comfort in Mooney's book. Once I heard him speak at the Thoreau SociSince I believe in personal philosophy based on transcendent affect I found great comfort in Mooney's book. Once I heard him speak at the Thoreau Society and was quite impressed with his take on this idea and Thoreau's way of doing it....more
Specq's discussion of metaphysical transcendence in literature and art is well done. I liked the parts about Thoreau and Emerson, of course.Specq's discussion of metaphysical transcendence in literature and art is well done. I liked the parts about Thoreau and Emerson, of course....more
No one really expects the environment of the Concord area these days to be the same as it was in Thoreau's day. Nor was it like the days before ThoreaNo one really expects the environment of the Concord area these days to be the same as it was in Thoreau's day. Nor was it like the days before Thoreau. This book takes a scholarly look at changes through the years and Thoreau's discussions, in his journals, of those changes, both natural and human driven changes....more
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