philosophy

Dostoyevsky: “Without God, Anything is Permissible” (3/3)

Christian thinkers have argued for millennia that only God can give objective grounds for the transcendent moral law. Fyodor Dostoyevsky flips that equation in the face of the death of God in Russia, “Without God, anything is permissible.” That is, if God doesn’t exist, there is no such thing as an act that is off limits, immoral or evil. Dostoyevsky warned that if Russia tries to live out the European Enlightenment worldview, then society will quickly realize that a godless universe is a lawless universe.

Dostoyevsky: The Gospel and Redemption in Crime and Punishment (2/3)

In Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov lives out the logical conclusions of atheism, utilitarianism, and Nietzsche’s view of morality by murdering a useless old pawnbroker. Despite the logical justifications for his crime, Rodion realizes that moral laws are fixed in the universe, and he cannot escape his guilty conscience regardless of his rationalizations. An atheistic worldview says that sin is a construct, and Raskolnikov is a hero. But this is clearly wrong. Will Raskolnikov confess, repent, and turn to Christianity for forgiveness? Or will narcissism and ideology drive him to utter despair while his mind and his heart wreak havoc on what is left of his sanity?

Dostoyevsky: Introduction to Crime and Punishment (1/3)

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821–1881) is often regarded as one of the best novelists to ever live. He is known for his penetrating grasp of psychology, his understanding of the dark side of human nature, and his unbelievably accurate predictions of what the 20th century would hold if the socialist revolutionaries came to power. Dostoyevsky made an enormous impact on modern the modern worldview, contributing to 20th century realism, existentialism and literary criticism. His unsurpassed delivery of philosophical concepts in narrative form makes him a truly unique author in world history. Among his most famous works, Crime and Punishment is an excursion into the practical consequences of utilitarian ethics, an atheistic worldview and the absurdity of objective morality without a higher authority––all displayed in the form of a captivating murder mystery with engaging characters, plot twists and masterful prose.

Artists, Philosophers, and the Power of Narrative

A painter, a philosopher and a poet walk into a bar. The painter already knows what the poet has to say. The poet says it eloquently. Then the philosopher listens, sits down, orders a drink, and spends ten hours figuring out what they meant. This is “the Great Conversation” that Western Civilization has given us and continues to give, as thinkers and visionaries offer their ideas and propel culture forward. These thoughts are often expressed in towering works of fiction, which unveil the eyes of the individual to the world. But conversation can’t even begin without non-fiction, and the rivalry between philosophers and writers continues. Lucky for us, we get to benefit from both sides, and the dialogue is riveting.

6 Reasons You Should Be A Student of Philosophy

A person who does not examine their beliefs is like a fish who does not know it is wet. Consequently, they will share the same outlook towards life as a fish. Fumbling around, trying not to get caught in a net or eaten by a shark, and ultimately aimless in a never ending quest for food and temperate waters. If you want to have more depth, you need to think about what you believe and why you believe it.