“[O]ur 'inferiors,' who love us...take pleasure in wounding us in our self-esteem.”
― The Captive / The Fugitive
― The Captive / The Fugitive
“Perhaps we would not be human if the quality of our lives were much better than it is. It does not follow that the quality of human life is good.”
― The Human Predicament: A Candid Guide to Life's Biggest Questions
― The Human Predicament: A Candid Guide to Life's Biggest Questions
“Professionals who've spent their energy teaching masterpieces, the few of us still engrossed by literature's scrutiny of things, have no excuse for finding betrayal anywhere but at the heart of history. History from top to bottom. World history, family history, personal history. It's a very big subject, betrayal. Just think of the Bible. What's that book about? The master story situation of the Bible is betrayal. Adam—betrayed. Esau—betrayed. The Shechemite—betrayed. Judah—betrayed. Joseph—betrayed. Moses—betrayed. Samson—betrayed. Samuel—betrayed. David—betrayed. Uriah—betrayed. Job—betrayed. Job betrayed by whom? By none other than God himself. And don't forget the betrayal of God. God betrayed. Betrayed by our ancestors at every turn.”
― I Married a Communist
― I Married a Communist
“If in keeping with Hegel’s insight all feeling related to an aesthetic object has an accidental aspect, usually that of psychological projection, then what the work demands from its beholder is knowledge, and indeed, knowledge that does justice to it: The work wants its truth and untruth to be grasped.”
― Aesthetic Theory
― Aesthetic Theory
Philosophy
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— last activity May 25, 2026 12:48AM
What is Philosophy? Why is it important? How do you use it? This group looks at these questions and others: ethics, government, economics, skepticism, ...more
Cain S.’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Cain S.’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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