Hack i häl på Minerva: Ett brevsamtal om vetenskap, dikt och moral mellan Lars Gyllensten och Georg Klein

by Lars Gyllensten, Georg Klein

Swedish

315 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Bakunin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lars Gyllensten was a former member (as well as secretary) of the Swedish academy. While not being well known abroad he was a famous author during his lifetime (regarded by some as the equivalent of a swedish Thomas Mann). George Klein is a hungarian biologist who fled to Sweden in 1947 (and has since then lived there). Klein, while being a scientist by profession, also has literary interest and thus he began writing letters to Gyllensten. This book is a collection of the exchanges between these two men who often have different viewpoints on varied subjects such as psychology, art, and the nature of man. Klein is more of a behaviorist whereas Gyllensten is more of a believer in the free will.

While pursuing a major in economics I got interested in philosophy and wanted to learn more about it. I was specifically interested in moral philosophy and choosing a life which is worthwhile. What should one do with ones life? What is the good life? This exchange between two provided good material to digest: Gyllensten was a fan of Kierkegaard and Karl Popper. But more importantly than providing new material to digest, I found Gyllenstens letters to show a mind continually probing and never satisfied with any given answers. The will to understand the world in which we live and never take anything for granted is key to becoming a thinking person.

I've always wanted to be autonomous but have not always been able to steer clear of the herd mentality which often times than not pervade our society. How do you know if you are really thinking for yourself? The key I believe is in method. If you have an opinion and let this opinion be open to criticism you stand a better chance at understanding yourself and the world around you.
I am therefore happy to have found this gem at my local antiquarian.