Author Archives: Larry Franz

Truth: A Guide by Simon Blackburn

Posted on by

This is an excellent discussion of the philosophical issues concerning truth.

Blackburn argues for a minimalist version of truth: assertions of any kind fit into the schema “‘P’ is true if and only if P”, even ethical and aesthetic assertions.

He then navigates between four philosophical views regarding truth: 1) eliminativsm (get rid of it!); 2) realism (get it right, and then talk of truth, ontology, reality, fact…); 3) quietism; and 4) constructivism (also fictionalism, pragmatism, instrumentalism, expressivism…). In the end, he supports realism of a modest sort: a realism that is comfortable saying science and most everyday beliefs are true, which is why they bring us success in our endeavors.  (2/15/10)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Posted on by

What a wonderful novel! The story of an orphan in England circa 1845 who becomes a governess and falls in love with her employer, the troubled Mr. Rochester. A romantic plot with the usual reversals of fortune, but beautiful language, insightful commentary, suspense and a very interesting heroine. I really cared what happened to these characters.  (2/12/10)

Breakout by Richard Stark

Posted on by

One in the series of Parker crime novels. Tough guy Parker gets arrested doing a burglary and has to break out of jail. Then he agrees to perform another job and that gets fouled up too. Earlier ones in the series are better.  (1/14/10)

Pessimism: Philosophy, Ethic, Spirit by Jonathan Foa Dienstag

Posted on by

A history of philosophical pessimism, concentrating on Leopardi, Camus, Schopenhauer, Freud, Nietzsche and Cervantes. Philosophical pessimism results from consideration of the human condition, stuck in time, with everything eventually disappearing. The author says philosophical pessimism can be life-affirming, at least for Nietzsche and Cervantes.  (1/14/10)

The Iliad by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles

Posted on by

Another disappointment, especially compared to The Odyssey.

Achilles is offended by Agamemnon and becomes so angry that he withdraws himself and his troops from the war with the Trojans. He refuses repeated attempts to coax him to return to battle, even though the Greeks are losing without him. He eventually allows his best friend to lead his troops into battle, and when his best friend is killed, he finally decides that he should fight again, after much lamenting. He kills Hector and that’s The Iliad. Honor is honor, but as depicted in The Iliad, Achilles must be the biggest drama queen in the history of Western literature.

Maybe we have made cultural progress since Homer’s time. (1/14/10)