The advantages of objectivity are widely heralded. The scientific method depends on being able to set aside our subjectivity, step outside of ourselves, and deal with the world as an objective, empirical reality. This ability to suppress our introspection has led to amazing scientific discoveries and command over the material world, so it is right [...]
Last week, I read Goethe’s “The Sorrows of Young Werther”. It is fairly short, and I read the entire book on the plane ride from Seattle to visit the Grand Canyon. Though short, the story is a near-perfect allegory and overflowing with insights. As always, I took many notes, which I typically keep to myself. [...]
Here is the conclusive proof, from Goethe’s “The Sorrows of Young Werther”.
On his condition in the world, Werther sounds exactly like Marcus Fenix (And no, I am not paraphrasing – this is verbatim from Hulse’s classic translation of Goethe)”:
“There is not one moment that does not wear you away, and those who are close to [...]